Princess Alexandra was born in July of 2002. As all first-time parents we were overwhelmed with joy. She was discharged from the hospital after the customary 72 hours as a healthy baby girl with a great set of lungs. At her two-month check-up, we were concerned that she appeared jaundiced and shared those concerns with her pediatrician at the time. He told us not to worry because it was probably breast milk jaundice and that it would go away soon. Needless to say, we had no idea of what was ahead for our family.

Alex loved to stand on her legs as early as 2 ½ months. We noticed that she was very ginger with her left leg on October 31. We took her to the local ER and the doctor on duty was immediately concerned with her jaundiced eyes and indicated that they were going to have to run some tests. He later informed us of the good and not-so-good news….good news was that Alex’s leg was just fine.  The not-so-good news was that Alex had a liver disease and we should visit her pediatrician first thing in the morning. Her pediatrician referred us to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC.

We are so grateful to God for the outward sign of Alex’s gingerly movements of her leg because we are convinced that it was a sign to alert us as to what was going on inside of our little miracle baby. We spent a total of 8 dizzying days at Children’s while they evaluated Alex and concluded that she had biliary atresia. She was already 3 ½ months of age and too old for a kasai. Additionally, her liver biopsy revealed significant cirrhosis. The doctors informed us that Alex needed a liver transplant sooner rather than later because children with biliary atresia normally do not live beyond one year of life without a transplant or a kasai. We were transported to A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware for transplant evaluation. She was listed immediately and we continued to wait patiently for a suitable liver.

In March of 2003, we received “the call” while at morning church service. Two weeks prior we had a false alarm, but this was the real thing. The Lord had stepped in and provided a liver for Alex in such a way that we knew it was a miracle. It is something glorious about the number 7, Alex, now 7 ½ months of age was successfully transplanted and recovered quickly. Four days prior to discharge she received a blood transfusion and at the end of the transfusion, she had a reaction that caused a clot in her hepatic artery. The clot caused some liver damage and required another surgery. When the blood was tested there was nothing to raise a red flag so we thought that we were out of the woods. Unfortunately, we weren’t – another transfusion led to a bigger clot and more liver damage and another surgery. At this point, we realized that the testing of our faith was continuing and in the end we would be stronger.

Alex was discharged the day before Easter and God continued to renew our strength. She had a PICC line and required many medications and frequent lab blood draws. There were several hospitalizations during the first six post-transplant months but thankfully they subsided and she continues to do well.

The Princess has graciously accepted a new Prince into her kingdom; however, her adjustment continues as it relates to sharing her parents’ and everyone else’s attention. She has a very strong spirit and God continues to keep her in good health. The Lord has big plans for our blessed Princess and we will continue to trust in Him. There are definite rough periods but the good periods outweigh the rough ones as we watch her explore the world and bring joy to all of those around her……thankfully God has put us on the victorious path that is in Christ Jesus and He doesn’t give any of us more than we can bear nor does He ever leave or forsake us. Please continue to pray our confidence and strength in the Lord!