"Fear of the unknown is normal...and it is okay to be afraid..."

Now that MercyMay's transplant evaluation is complete, the information will be presented to the Liver Transplant Selection Committee this Thursday.  They determine if she meets the criteria for transplantation and if there are any other issues to be addressed (so far, looking good).  Our transplant coordinators (who have been very awesome...easy to talk to... and available 24/7, 365 days a year) will notify us when we are placed on the list.
Her name will be placed on the list at The Children's Hospital and on a local agency list who works together with the national patient list maintained by (UNOS) United Network for Organ Sharing.  She will be placed by her weight, blood type and status, which depends on her medical condition. The more ill a child is, the higher priority they will have for organs that become available.  She will be given a PELD (Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease Model) score based on the severity of her illness (hence the need for all the testing during evaluation). The score is calculated using lab test results, growth, age (remember, babies are a priority), weight and blood type.  If her condition changes (for better or worse), her status on the list will change accordingly.
The donor liver is matched to her blood type and body size. A large liver may not fit into a small patient.  Of all candidates who match the donor liver, it is offered to the person is is most sick. If all candidates are of similar degrees of illness, then it is offered to the child with the longest waiting time on the list.  Organ donors are usually victims of an accident resulting in an injury to the head whereby the patient is declared brain-dead (all activity in brain is stopped and irreversible).  The donor's blood pressure is maintained until the surgical team arrives to remove the organs by streile surgical procedure in the operating room.  Once the organs are removed, they are flushed  with a special solution that helps preserve them until they are transplanted. After flushing, they are placed in a sterile bag in a cooler with ice and transported to TCH (if not already at that location). TCH makes certain that both donor liver and Mercymay are in the best possible condition before transplant surgery can begin. Her nutrition is crucial so she continues to grow and maintain the best possible health.
Once MercyMay is on the list, we need to be prepared to come to TCH in Denver at any time, day or night.  On an average, most children will wait for their liver transplant anywhere from a month to years.
During the waiting period, she will continue to be managed by Dr. Narkewicz and our local physician.