As many of our friends and family know, Clyde has a rare medical condition called Alagille’s Syndrome, an autosomal dominant inherited disorder affecting his kidneys, heart, and, most significantly, his liver.   Since birth, his malfunctioning liver – while trying to keep up – has caused jaundice, internal itching, and poor growth. During 2018, it became increasingly difficult for Clyde’s body to absorb enough calories each day to keep his body functioning well and all of us were increasingly concerned.

Last summer, we received the news that there was an excellent match for a liver from a living donor making a liver transplant possible. We are forever grateful and, quite honestly, at a loss for words to express how deeply this life-saving gift touched Clyde and our family.  The transplant team of doctors, nurses, specialists and support staff at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Denver lead our family through the challenges with the transplant surgery, and continue to monitor Clyde closely to make sure he remains healthy. 

The great news is that the transplant procedure went exceptionally well resulting in a short hospitalization and to date, Clyde has met or exceeded all expectations by the Children’s Transplant Team in his recovery.  He is a trooper showing no signs of rejection and his immune system, even though compromised, still appears robust. 

Clyde missed the first days of sixth grade because of his transplant and had a bumpy return to school.  His principal assured us that “kiddos who miss long stretches of school often have transition anxieties”, definitely true for Clyde.  The staff at Gold Camp Elementary responded to Clyde’s transition struggles by organizing their own team. The administrators, office staff, teachers, special educators, nurse and the kids themselves coordinated to support Clyde and help him make the transition from transplant patient to being a student again.  Our family is so grateful for the support that has resulted in Clyde having a successful time at school – his grades are far exceeding his pre-transplant average!

Clyde is doing well; he has more energy than ever and school is now a place where he can succeed. He still has occasions when he struggles with anxieties brought on in part by what he has gone through, but there is so much we are thankful for and so many to whom we are grateful.

We are also grateful for good health insurance however; there are limits to what our policy will cover. Since Clyde’s life-saving surgery, out-of-pocket expenses related to his medical care are increasing above what our health insurance will pay. During this journey, we have come to realize that we are not in this alone – the support Clyde, and our family has received from extended family, friends, classmates, neighbors and medical staff has been tremendous and gives us hope.

That is why we chose to work with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA). It is important to us that 100 % of the proceeds raised will go to COTA to assist children like Clyde with transplant related expenses.  COTA is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization.  Gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. 

Will you please give what you can to COTA in honor of Team Clyde to help with a lifetime of transplant-related expenses?

To donate to COTA in honor of Clyde, go to: www.COTAforTeamClyde.com.