The story of Maria

Maria is a 3 year-old-girl from Athens. Two years ago, she had been subjected to a liver transplant at the ISMETT transplant center of Palermo in Italy. Today, on 12.5.2021 , the little girl will be admitted to the same medical facility, since she has manifested serious complications! The little girl was first hospitalized on 30.7.2018 , when she was just 3 months old. Back then, the attending doctors at the Pediatrics Department of the University of Athens diagnosed her with biliary atresia. The little girl underwent surgery in July 2018 . Unfortunately the surgery wasn’t successful and in February of 2019 her liver function begun to deteriorate. The doctors then recommended that she were transferred to the ISMETT transplant center in Palermo, where she underwent a liver transplant. Her father had to donate a part of his liver. After the transplant, the doctors prescribed her immunosuppressive agents in order to eliminate the chances of transplant rejection. The long-term use of immunosuppressive medication caused serious complications to her health. In November of 2020, after manifesting symptoms of pneumonia and tachypnea, she was rushed to the hospital. The lung biopsy along with a series of other tests indicated that the child should undergo a procedure so that the doctors could insert a chest tube (Bülau drain). During this procedure, she suffered desaturation. She was then immediately intubated and transferred to the PICU of Agia Sofia Hospital. The doctors recommended that she stopped taking her immunosuppressive medication, although this strategy could result to a transplant rejection. After her extubation, she kept on talking her medication however the doctors became concerned that she may be suffering from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), a rare complication that causes white blood cells called lymphocytes to multiply out of control. This disorder could lead to a full-blown lymph node cancer (lymphoma). The attending doctors of Agia Sofia Children’s Hospital recommended her immediate transfer at the ISMETT transplant center in Palermo, in order to reevaluate her health condition and treat her, so that she doesn’t suffer pulmonary fibrosis or, in worst case scenario, reject her transplant. If this were to happen, her life could be at serious risk. The earliest date for her admission at the ISMETT transplant center was on 26/4/2021, but due to bureaucratic procedures, the date moved back on 12/5/2021. This little girl’s parents are constantly by her side, doing everything they possibly can in order to save her life. However, the hospitalization and course of treatment at the ISMETT center, requires a lot of money and even though a part of the expenses will be paid by their health insurance, this multi-child family cannot afford her hospitalization. Due to the urgency of this case, our organization has already made the necessary arrangements for their transportation and lodging. However, they still have a long way to go, since they haven’t been accurately informed about the nature or the duration of the course of treatment. Let us all contribute, so that this little girl can make a full recovery!