Simple Joys in Life: Change of Plans

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Change of Plans

Jennifer and I will not go in to Jefferson Parish tomorrow. We decided to wait and see how the re-entry to the city goes tomorrow. We may go in on Friday, but we would rather be sure that we're safe when we do.

Thanks to my Voice of Reason for helping me see that waiting was the best idea.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: Laurie - I was out of internet access myself, and just got back - am really really glad you decided to wait. I can't imagine what you all are going through...

Please please keep us updated. Info in the NW is a little harder to come by than I would like. - Amanda, Oregon; September 05, 2005 11:29 PM
Renee said...: Laurie,
This is all hitting really close to home for you. I'll be thinking about you and your family and praying that everyone is safe. I'm lucky to only know a few people that were living in New Orleans at the time and evacuated early enough to not have any horror stories to tell. Hang in there.; September 06, 2005 9:54 AM
Anonymous said...: God Bless you and your family Laurie-I am so happy that they are all safe. I wish your family the best, they are in our prayers.

Jennifer Pianalto; September 07, 2005 4:33 PM
Amanda M said...: Hi Laurie - thinking about you, and don't have your email and wanted to invite you to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/livermoms/ while classkids is down. I know it's the least of your worries right now. Cyberhug,
Amanda, Aunt to Katie, age 7, BA; September 08, 2005 12:30 AM

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About Biliary Atresia

Biliary atresia is a progressive inflammatory process that begins very soon after birth. In the most common form, called extrahepatic biliary atresia, the delicate ducts outside the liver are affected first. White blood cells invade the ducts, which become damaged and may whither or completely disappear. Bile is trapped inside the liver and rapidly causes damage and scarring to the liver cells. Further scarring of the liver tissue may result in cirrhosis.

On average, there is one case of biliary atresia out of every 15,000 live births. Females are affected slightly more often than males. In the United States, approximately 300 new cases are diagnosed each year.

The cause of biliary atresia is unknown. Auto-immune mechanisms may be partly responsible for the progressive process that takes place. Recent research suggests that a viral infection in susceptible infants could result in biliary atresia. About 10% of cases have other associated congenital defects in the heart, blood vessels, intestine, or spleen.

Although the cause is uncertain, it is known that biliary atresia affects only newborns; it is not hereditary; it is not contagious; and it is not preventable.

A surgical procedure called the Kasai (hepatoportoenterostomy) can be performed in hopes of saving the liver. With the Kasai, the liver is connected directly to the small intestine, circumventing the gall bladder. The Kasai is usually successful in 1/3 of cases, while the other 2/3 result in the need for a liver transplant. Anthony's team of doctors were unable to diagnose Anthony with biliary atresia, and the Kasai was never performed. We learned after his transplant that the Kasai would never have worked, and we would have traveled the same road to transplant.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Change of Plans

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