North Wales father’s transplant bid to give ailing daughter a better life

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North Wales father’s transplant bid to give ailing daughter a better life

Jan 1 2009 By Carl Butler, Daily Post
Jessica Law

Jessica Law

A TERMINALLY ill teenage girl is facing an agonising wait to see whether she will be able to receive her father’s kidney.

Jessica Law, 14, has undergone 15 major operations since she was born.

Her dad John is having tests to see whether he can donate one of his kidneys for a transplant, which will give her a much better quality of life.

Her mum Vona said: “In the meantime, Jessica is going on the waiting list for a kidney from a deceased donor as well, so I would just like to emphasise how important it is for people to carry donor cards.

“We’ve found out in the last few weeks that Jessica has deteriorated even further, and it may mean they have to start dialysis before she can have the transplant, because her blood levels are so unstable.

“The kidney side of it has to take precedence because she is so sick from that, but she’s still got a lot of medical problems that need addressing.

“Jessica has other complications that will require surgical intervention over the next few years which add to the complications of her condition.

“So far, she’s had 15 major operations, everything from a three-hour operation to a 17-hour operation, one which was done in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

“There are a lot of things wrong but 14 and a bit years ago we were told she wouldn’t be here. She is, and that’s something to hold on to.

“It’s a terminal illness and having a kidney transplant only gives you a little bit longer. It doesn’t cure you, you’ve still got a terminal illness.”

Jessica, from Bryneglwys, near Corwen, was born with a rare congenital defect, cloaca anomaly.

Her condition was so serious doctors at Wrexham Maelor Hospital did not expect her to survive. But she was rushed to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool for emergency surgery which saved her life.

Jessica, a pupil of Brynhyfryd School in Ruthin, is a regular visitor to T Gobaith hospice in the Conwy Valley, which she describes as “one of my favourite places”.

T Gobaith has provided “amazing” help and support, not just for Jessica but also for her mum and dad, and her 11-year-old twin sisters Rachel and Courtney, say the family.

The hospice has received a vital cash lifeline of £10,000 from John’s former employer, Ifor Williams Trailers.

This year is the company’s 50th anniversary and to mark the occasion they are giving a total of £50,000 to good causes.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2009/01/01/north-wales-father-s-transplant-bid-to-give-ailing-daughter-a-better-life-55578-22585931/