Nov 11, 2007 11:00 pm US/Central
Baby Seeking Transplant Getting Needed Evaluation
(WCCO)
-
-
Looking into Sidney's big beautiful eyes, her parents don't see a sick little girl but each day is a struggle for this little girl.
CBS
There is finally some good news for a Shakopee family who has been battling to get a life saving transplant for their baby girl.
"It's a huge sense of relief. We're glad Sidney is going to Miami for her evaluation," said Sidney Markie's mother Courtney Murray.
Sidney and her family finally have something to smile about. Soon, she'll be on her way to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami to get evaluated for an intestinal transplant.
"It's absolutely been a rollercoaster," said Murray.
Sidney has a rare genetic disorder called Microvillus Inclusion Disease. Her intestines can't absorb any nutrients. She's surviving on TPN, a type of nutrition pumped intravenously. However, this is also damaging her liver.
Sidney is now visibly jaundiced. The only long term solution is a small bowel transplant and her doctors say her best chance for success is in Miami.
"Once the liver also goes into failure we end of having to transplant the liver in addition to the gut. The earlier you do it, the better the outcome," said gastroenterologist Dr. R. Arumugam.
When Sidney's health took a downturn this week, approval for her treatment in Miami was still up in the air.
"I was terrified ... and broke down and cried to my mom when I got the lab results and said this just can't be God's plan," said Murray.
Sidney has been certified disabled and is on state health insurance. Though her surgery was deemed medically necessary, it took another three weeks to get final approval.
"It's been exhausting. And it's day in and day out. There wasn't a day that went by we haven't been fighting and negotiating for Sidney," said Murray.
There's still a long road ahead for Sidney. Her family hopes they haven't lost too much time.
"Right now I feel a great deal of relief Sidney's been approved for the best place for care but it makes me wonder about everybody else," said Murray.
Sidney's family leaves on Monday morning for Miami. Northwest Airlines has donated their flights.
The family hopes to find out this week whether Sidney can get on the transplant list.
There's a fund to help with Sidney's expenses not covered by insurance. Donation can be sent to any U.S. Bank branch.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
