Between August 2018 – December 2018, we began to learn that her illness had been going on for many years, but since she was asymptomatic she did not have pain or show other signs that would alert us to a problem. 

She was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder in which her cells started attacking themselves and ultimately leading to severe liver damage.  However, at this point, the local physicians were hopeful that through the use of some heavy medication they could stop any further damage to the liver and allow it time to regenerate.  To monitor the effects of the meds, Megan had multiple doctors appointments per month and twice-weekly blood draws to monitor or adjust the levels in her system.  As time went on we were referred to a liver transplant physician in Kansas City, Missouri to establish a relationship who would work in conjunction with our local physicians.  

As parents, we still could not understand how this could be happening.  She was a very normal and active kid, she wasn’t sick.  Why did this happen to her?  If our heads were spinning from trying to understand everything going on, how is she feeling and dealing with the news.  Her whole world changed.  She had to go on a gluten-free diet, be careful doing cheer or any other sport due to an enlarged spleen, her arms were sore from weekly blood draws, and etc.  We knew we had to keep everything as “normal” as we could.  We didn’t tell many people because she just wanted to be like everyone else . . . Like she was.  We kept her involved with cheer and tried to keep her in a normal routine as much as possible. We were determined to focus on the whole person (mentally, physically, emotionally) to ensure the quality of life as we worked through our “new” normal. – Mom & Dad