Ashlee was born in November 2000. She has one sister, Alyssa, who makes her smile like you wouldn't believe.

At birth Ashlee was a healthy 7 lb 14 oz baby. When we were released to go home she was a little jaundiced, but then so was Alyssa as a newborn. Two weeks passed and everything was yellow - her skin, nails and eyes. The doctor had me stop breast feeding to rule out breast milk jaundice and ordered a bili test. Her level was 18.

Ashlee was admitted back into the special care nursery and she went through phototherapy which brought her indirect bili down to 7, but her direct was still 4. She went through a million blood draws, an ultrasound, HIDA scan, and x-rays. I was even tested for hepatitis. It broke my heart to see her go through so much at such a young age. Everything came back normal, except her liver enzymes which were slightly elevated. A few days later she had another HIDA scan and this time there was no evidence of flow.

We were sent to Boston Floating Children's Hospital in Massachusetts where she underwent many more tests, including a liver biopsy, ultrasound, endoscopy, and laparoscopy. She was first diagnosed with neonatal hepatitis  until they found scarring on her biopsy. Finally they had to surgically explore and found textbook biliary atresia. Ashlee had her Kasai on December 20, 2000. We spent her first Christmas and New Years in the hospital away from home and family in a different state.

After her Kasai, Ashlee spent two days in the PICU. She had a breathing tube in her mouth and a NG tube in her nose. She was put on the regular pediatrics floor after the third day and she did well. She did develop a lymphatic leak, but a special formula helped to soak up and seal the leak. Her bili level did not go down as they planned and her stool was still white/gray, so they gave her massive doses of steroids for three days through her IV. It made her miserable but it worked as her stool turned green after the third day and still is to this day. She went home after 18 days in Boston.

Today Ashlee seems to be holding her own. She is on the liver transplant list. Her liver and spleen are big and her liver functions remain high, except her bili which is normal. She is not yellow at all and to look at her you would never know she was sick. She has been diagnosed with portal hypertension, and esophageal and stomach varices. She has been sick on and off for the past couple months. She is 2 years old now and walking and talking and growing like any healthy toddler would. I pray everyday that she will get her liver in time while she is still a little healthy. I really believe that everyone's prayers helped her through this. I am so happy that we found this web site. I have met so many great people. Everyone is so patient with all of my many questions, and they are so supportive. I consider everyone here part of our family. Thanks to everyone.