A selfless mother whose daughter was diagnosed with a rare liver disease, is donating part of her own liver to save her little girl’s life.
A few years after the eight-year-old Centurion girl was diagnosed with a rare liver disease, she will receive a piece of her mother’s liver.
A portion of Abigail Hofman mother’s liver will be transplanted to her on Tuesday.
The beautiful dark-haired girl, was diagnosed with biliary atresia in December 2011.
Mother Louisa said there was a possibility to remove the spleen (an organ that is part of the lymphatic system), as the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure did not produce desired results as hoped.
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The operation was scheduled for 8 September, but was postponed due to Abigail’s enlarged spleen (22cm).
On 10 June this year, she was put on the transplant list.
“They did prepare us that the chances of getting a liver were scarce and that we should rather start looking at a living donor. Getting a liver is very rare, especially now during the (Covid-19) pandemic, it is even harder,” she said.
“I then discussed the option to see whether my liver will be suitable with my husband. It was such wonderful news when the doctors said that I am a suitable candidate to be able to donate a part of my liver to Abigail,” Louisa said.
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Abigail was born on 14 December 2011, weighing 2,6kg.
“She was a healthy baby. Her skin looked a bit yellow, but we were not too concerned,” said Louisa.
The doctors ran a few tests and found the now eight-year-old had biliary artesia.
One of the tests was a liver biopsy.
“This is where our journey started. Doctors said in 2014 that she should get a transplant,” she said.
“They started with all the tests. At that time she was still healthy and doing well. The doctors advised us that it would be better for her to keep her own liver for as long as she can.”
Last November, Abigail’s throat was shedding blood.
“I immediately took her to the doctor and they found that she has oesophageal varices. These are veins in her throat that are under so much pressure that they burst and bleed. If left untreated it can cause her to bleed to death,” she said.
Louisa said they were extremely excited that a date has finally been set.
The transplant operation is set for Tuesday, 17 November.
“At this stage, it is all systems go. Our girl is our inspiration and will reach great heights as she also wants to become a doctor to help sick children,” her mother said.
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