Just after Christmas 2021, Amanda had emergency surgery to have her small intestines removed.  Her small intestine had twisted upon itself, cutting off its blood supply and causing it to die.  Since it is the intestines that supply nutrition to the body, Amanda needed a new way to receive nutrition.  She now receives TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) 20 hours a day through an intravenous line (PICC line) in her arm.  While saving her life now, TPN is very limiting and will in time compromise other vital organs.

Amanda is not a stranger to adversity.  She and her sister were discordant twins, born at 28 weeks, with Amanda weighing only twelve ounces.  After a little over five months, she came home from the neonatal intensive care unit on oxygen and with a feeding tube.  It was a difficult journey, but when she was about two, she no longer needed oxygen and several years later after a lot of therapy and hard work, she no longer required a feeding tube.

Amanda is once again facing a difficult journey, but she has always had a strong faith and determination.  Her favorite bible verse is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV).  Her hope for this journey is to have a successful small bowel transplant.

There is not a transplant center in Texas which performs small bowel transplants.  The one recommended is in Washington D.C. and will require Amanda and her parents to relocate there for the surgery and many months after.  Post-transplant there will be trips back to D.C. and medical treatments continuing well into the future to keep the transplant healthy.  We have partnered with COTA for assistance with transplant-related expenses.  Donations to COTA in honor of Amanda are greatly appreciated.  Prayers for Amanda and her family to trust in God and be strong in his strength are also welcomed.  “… but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV).      

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.