Hi all! As we get closer to our transplant date (May 23rd) I wanted to share Liam’s story for those who may not know all that happened. This is Liam’s COTA website. The Children’s Organ Transplant Association provides this along with support and fundraising assistance. Contributions to COTA are used to assist children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant. COTA allocates 100% of funds raised in honor of patients to families who have a need related to the transplant. If you feel led, click the GIVE NOW button to donate.

You can check here for updates on Liam’s progress and follow along as we navigate this medical journey. We are so thankful to have all of your prayers and support and as we approach the end of May, we look to God for calm and understanding. And we cherish the love that has been shown to our family by others!

Saying Liam was a typical 3 1/2 year old is an understatement. He ran, played, told knock-knock jokes and as most 3 1/2 year olds do, he enjoyed all the little things in life. He still does… now he does it while dealing with end stage renal failure. This is a lifelong medical challenge he faces every day. Liam contracted E coli 0157:H7 at the end of May 2018. He was treated locally but as his condition worsened he was transferred to Batson’s Children’s Hospital in Jackson. Still to this day there is no clue as to how he came in contact with the bacteria, as no other family member or child at his daycare became ill. This type of E coli damages the red blood cells in his body and clogged the blood vessel in his kidneys, effectively shutting down the filtering process. He can no longer remove waste or fluid from his body; the clinical diagnosis is Hemolytic-uremic syndrome or HUS.

There were many other complications that arose from the E coli. Liam also suffered from a perforated bowel and underwent emergency surgery removing four inches of his colon and had to have a colostomy placed. At that time he was still carrying the bacteria and it spread due to the perforation. He became septic and was on a ventilator along with many IV pumps to keep him stable. He had fluid retention around his lungs and required drainage tubes placed, and developed a blood clot that was presumed to be in his heart valve. He was placed on a blood thinning titration, which caused internal bleeding of his pancreases and hematomas. He had 10 blood transfusions during this time frame and has had more since. Liam came through a lot to say the least.

After 84 days in the hospital, most of them spent in the pediatric intensive care unit, Liam came home. He has since gained enough strength and weight back that the colostomy was reversed in December and he no longer needed his feeding tube! He still has a MIC button port in his abdomen so his parents can administer the many blood pressure medications and other prescriptions he is currently taking.

Liam began outpatient dialysis at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson in August after his discharge and travels three times a week for treatment. There is no cure for his illness. Having a kidney transplant is one of his best options, however, it is only another form of treatment. Liam has now finished all evaluations to be placed on the National Organ Donor List for transplant, and was listed on April 3rd. His father, Michael Lamb, has been approved to be Liam’s living donor and the family is excited to announce that his transplant date is set for May 23^rd 2019!

Liam has endured so much and has truly been a miracle. He has a strength that shines as bright as the sun. This road he is traveling is long but he is not alone. He family and his 2-year-old sister share in his strength daily and face what is to come together.

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.