Ajani is a typical almost 2 year old who loves to play outside in the park on warm spring days. However, Ajani is different from most toddlers in that he recently had a liver transplant.

Ajani was born on June 2, 2007. When he was just 7 weeks old he was diagnosed with biliary atresia. Biliary atresia is a rare liver disease in which the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the intestine are blocked or absent. This condition damages the liver and many vital body functions. After a surgery to provide a drainage route for the bile, Ajani developed cholangitis, which is a serious liver infection. After a second bout of this infection in 4 months, it was determined that he needed a liver transplant. When Ajani was 15 months old, he was transferred to Levine Children's Hospital and placed on the pediatric liver transplant list through the United Network of Organ Sharing. While awaiting transplant, Ajani made frequent trips from his home in Wilmington, NC to Levine to undergo tests and surgical procedures intended to keep him healthy enough to receive a liver when the time came. That time came in February 2009 when there was a great match for a new liver for Ajani! The surgery was a great success, and 12 days after transplant he was discharged. Since they lived so far from the transplant center and he needed twice weekly clinic visits and infusions, Ajani and his mom stayed at the Hospitality House of Charlotte across from Carolinas Medical Center until March 16th when they returned home.

Ajani's mother, Christine, felt that the doctors and nurses were all wonderful, and really allowed them to be a part of the treatment. Ajani's physicians would regularly ask his parents their thoughts on Ajani's course of treatment and how they felt their son was doing. She also states that they offered great explanations (even drawing diagrams) and kept them updated throughout every procedure.

Christine wrote about her experience in an email she sent to our pediatric liver team...

Written on March 6, 2009

You have all provided such EXCELLENT care for Ajani. Everyone at the Transplant Center and LCH has won us over. Actually, Jerome [liver transplant coordinator] and Dr. G. [pediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist] COMPLETELY changed our minds about the transfer when we first met you back in July. Now you can't get rid of us! One specific area you stand out is how everyone here cares for the parent as well as the patient. From making sure we're physically comfortable, to doing little things for us...it all makes the stay SO much more bearable. During other hospital stays Ajani would never let me leave his side; but the nurse in the infusion center yesterday (Melissa) offered to push Ajani around in his favorite wagon so I could get something to eat with the meal ticket she provided (she'd already ordered lunch for him after finding out what he liked). I really need to grab a bunch of those WOW cards...there are SO many people here to thank!