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Welcome to Angus' page, to keep family and friends up to date on our wee man, to familiarize people with Biliary Atresia and to spread awareness of the great need for organ donation.

Biliary Atresia is a rare and life threatening liver disease affecting about 250 infants born in America per year. BA is a withering or absence of ducts that drain bile from the liver.
Since bile can't flow normally, it backs up in the liver, causing cirrhosis. About 80% of children with this disease will need a liver transplant at some point in their lives.
At two months old we took Angus for his regular pediatrician check up, where she noticed that his eyes were "not quite white " - the only outward sign. Angus went through a week of tests, including a liver biopsy, to determine his condition. At the end of that week Angus received a surgery called the Kasai procedure, hoping to avoid a transplant. After 3 long months of tests, and waiting it was realized that it had not been a success. It was soon evident that he would need a transplant sooner rather than later.
We believed that the option of using a living donor was in Angus' best interest.
We began the evaluation process, and after many tests and questions my husband Jim was found to be a good match.
The surgery to save Angus' life went ahead on April 5th 2005.
This website will chronicle his life 'with out' Biliary Atresia, and to keep those interested updated on his progress.
Also it is our small way of saying a huge 'Thank you' to all the surgeons and staff at Mount Sinai , and also to our family and friends, with out your support we would be lost! - And of course a HUGE thank you to my husband Jim, for his gift of life to Angus. He didn't hesitate for a second to be 'the one'. He is our hero.

Journal

Sunday, April 4, 2010 9:31 PM CDT

5 years ago tonight Jim and I sat with Angus in his little hospital room, mentally preparing for what the next morning would bring...the beginning of the rest of our lives.
Jim and Angus were taken in to their operating rooms early in the morning for their 7 and 9 hour surgeries. Angus received his gift of life, the left lobe of his Dad's liver.

5 years later I am home with 2 healthy, happy boys. (as well as one almost 4 year old little sister of course) We are so incredibly lucky to have Angus here with us and we know well to celebrate not just these anniversaries, but each and every day.

After a challenging first 3.5 years, Angus has now had a hospital free year and a half. Just AMAZING!!!
These memories of that earlier life are less frequent in our minds and we take very well to normalcy!!! Let it not change!

Thank you to all of you who have been our support over the years. For your love, prayers and strength.

My personal thank you to Jim, for never hesitating for a second. You have always been my rock.

Cherish every moment.

Luce, Jim, Angus and Maggie.





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E-mail Author: lucettag@optonline.net

 
 

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