Liver for LuLu: We're Baaaack...Home away from Home

Not feeling hot at all....couldn't crack a smile, steal a laugh--nothin, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

catching some zzzz's

LuLu was a happy little bug when she went to sleep last night but when I went in to wake her up at 9 for meds I found her in piles of vomit and not looking well at all. So, I got her cleaned up--gave her the most crucial meds--fed her a few ounces---and vomit again, all over, redo meds. Call Dr. Into the bath she went with a fever over 101 which is bad news for a transplant baby. She fell asleep while I was washing her hair. Lethargic as could be. Then diarrhea, this is just getting worse.

Queen. Book wanted to see her in clinic rather than going to ER (thank heavens) and was told by our nurse to pack a bag. After taking one look at Lu, Dr. Book wanted her admitted.

She is receiving fluids, antibiotics and we are waiting for blood results to come back to help determine what is wrong. This doesn't mean rejection at all...her liver numbers look really good. She most likely has a bug that her body can't fight like the rest of us non-Prograf users. This should hopefully be a relatively short stay. But I never hold my breath...

Welcome to liverforlulu.blogspot

Meet beautiful, brave, tough-as-nails London (aka "LuLu"). She's been fighting Alpha 1 Anitrypsin Deficiency since birth. It's a genetic disease that causes liver disease and sometimes lung disease later in life. She received a new, clean, healthy, pink, perfect, beautiful liver January 15th 2010 thanks to the generocity of a family willing to donate their childs organs to give life to others. She is LuLu's Angel. We thank every person who takes the time to look at LuLu's blog. I am so happy that many now know what Alpha-1 is. I am grateful that some may change their veiws on organ donation because of London's life that she's been living with such dignity, strength and grace. Feel free to email me, elizabethbarnum(at)hotmail(dot)com with questions or comments.

What is Alpha-1?

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a condition that is passed from parents to their children through their genes.This condition may result in serious lung and/or liver disease at various ages in life. For each trait a person inherits, there are usually two genes and one gene comes from each parent. People with Alpha-1 have received two defective alpha-1 antitrypsin genes. One defective gene came from their mother and one from their father.There are many types of defective alpha-1 antitrypsin genes. The most common abnormal genes are called S and Z. Normal genes are called M. A person who does not have Alpha-1 will have two M genes (MM). People identified with Alpha-1 most commonly have two Z genes (ZZ). Current evidence suggests that there are about 100,000 people with Alpha-1 (ZZ) in the United States. Another deficient gene combination is SZ, although people with this gene combination are less likely to get lung or liver problems than those with two Z genes. (lulu is ZZ)

Alpha-1 occurs when there is a lack of a protein in the blood called alpha-1 antitrypsin or AAT that is produced by the liver. The main function of AAT is to protect the lungs from inflammation caused by infection and inhaled irritants such as tobacco smoke. The low level of AAT in the blood occurs because the AAT is abnormal and cannot be released from the liver at the normal rate. This leads to a build up of abnormal AAT in the liver that can cause liver disease and a decrease of AAT in the blood that can lead to lung disease.

The most common signs and symptoms of disease caused by Alpha-1 are: Shortness of breath, wheezing, chronic cough and sputum (phlegm) production (chronic bronchitis) reacurring chest colds, eyes and skin turning yellow (jaundice), swelling of the abdomen (ascites) or legs, vomiting blood (from enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach) decreased exercise tolerance, non-responsive asthma or year-round allergies, unexplained liver problems or elevated liver enzymes and bronchiectasis.

Alpha-1 has been identified in virtually all populations and ethnic groups. It is estimated that about 1 in every 2,500 Americans have Alpha-1. Individuals with Alpha-1 may remain healthy throughout their lives. Early diagnosis and avoidance of risk factors such as cigarette smoking, can help prevent Alpha-1 from causing disease. An estimated 20 million people have one normal and one defective AAT gene. People with one normal gene and one defective gene (for example MZ) are called “carriers”. (james and liz) Carriers may pass the defective gene on to their children. Alpha-1 can lead to lung destruction and is often misdiagnosed as asthma or smoking-related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Alpha-1 can’t be diagnosed by symptoms or by a medical examination; you need to get a blood test to know for sure. Alpha-1 is the most common known risk factor for emphysema and COPD. About 3% of all people diagnosed with COPD may have undetected Alpha-1. Alpha-1 can lead to liver disease. The most serious liver diseases are cirrhosis and liver cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO), American Thoracic Society (ATS), and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) recommend that all individuals with COPD be tested for Alpha-1.

What does YOUR liver do for you?

How important is the liver?
The liver is a vital organ. Without it we would not be able to live. Apart from the brain, it is the most complex organ in the body. It has a wide range of functions and acts very much like a factory. One of its most amazing features is its regenerative power. Some 9/10ths of the liver can be cut away and provided the remaining 1/10th is healthy, the liver will grow back to its original size.

The liver is a processor
The food that we eat passes into the stomach via the esophagus (gullet). The food is broken down by the action of the stomach and the small intestine. The nutrients from the food are then absorbed into the blood via the vessels in the walls of the intestines. These drain to veins which lead into the portal vein which carries the blood into the liver. The nutrients are processed in many different ways in the liver. This processing of the food is known as metabolism. The final products made are used by the body for energy and growth.

The liver is a manufacturer
The liver produces a number of different substances which are vital in order for healthy growth and development. For example: 1. The liver cells produce substances which assist with the clotting of the blood, e.g.Prothrombin. 2. The liver cells make proteins which are carried in the blood. These have many functions. Albumin, for example, helps to control the distribution of fluid in all parts of the body and transports many substances to and from the liver and kidneys to other parts of the body.

The liver is a storage depot
The liver stores energy in the form of glycogen (sugar). It also stores a number of other substances, e.g. copper, iron and vitamins.

The liver is a controller
The liver plays an important part in controlling: 1. The correct level of many hormones within the body. 2. The blood sugar (glucose) levels. The liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen when there is too much glucose in the blood and releases it when the blood sugar level falls. 3. The amount of fluid the body retains and its distribution throughout the body. 4. The concentration of cholesterol which it converts into bile salts. 5. The action of many drugs

The liver is a filter
The liver removes many unwanted substances from the body. It plays an important role in controlling the harmful effects of some drugs and products of metabolism by changing them chemically before excreting them into the bile. Bilirubin (unconjugated or indirect) is produced when old red blood cells break down. The average life of a healthy red blood cell is 120 days. This bilirubin is carried in the blood stream, attached to albuimin, to the liver where it is altered into a different form (conjugated or direct bilirubin) which is then: 1. Excreted in the bile. 2. Transferred into the bile which passes via the bile ducts into the intestine and appears as brown pigment in the stool. Bile is continuously produced by the liver cells mainly by the action of bile salts. It collects in and passes out through the network of bile ducts into the intestine. Bile salts play an important role in the digestion of fats.

The liver is a defender
The liver plays an important role in fighting many types of infection. In particular, protects the body against infection which arises in the gut. With so many different and complex functions, it is not surprising that more than 100 types of liver diseases have been identified in babies and children.

14 comments:

Carrie and Nathan said...: So sorry to hear it. Good luck and we will keep prayers going your way...fingers crossed. Lots of love.; March 16, 2010 at 3:25 PM
Brock and Lisa McKeown said...: our fingers are crossed!!!!!; March 16, 2010 at 3:48 PM
Oka said...: Prayers for Lulu, her family and the medical staff.; March 16, 2010 at 3:51 PM
allieb said...: Poor babe, sorry she is sick : ( Glad her liver numbers still look good though. Praying for her to feel better soon! Kisses from me & Kaia xoxo; March 16, 2010 at 6:58 PM
A womb for rent said...: This last week we had the stomach flu so bad we were all fighting who got the toilet first:) I felt so awful, I just can imagine what she is going through. Poor LU LU!!!!! :(; March 16, 2010 at 7:59 PM
AshleyS said...: as always you are in our prayers, even in my little hailey's...every night! wish we lived closer and could help you guys move, among so many other things. thinking of you...you are an amazing mother, liz. i have learned so much from reading about your journey...and wes and i go in for our skin cancer screenings next week :-); March 16, 2010 at 9:25 PM
Anonymous said...: Grandma and Grandpa Barnum love you little London. We are sad that you are sick...crying actually. God bless and comfort you and your Mom, Dad and Jonsie. Tons of love!!!; March 16, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Sarah said...: poor baby Lu! we will be thinking of and praying for her!; March 16, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Jan said...: Ohhhhh I'm so sorry ... I just hated to hear this and I will certainly be sending up oodles of prayers for that sweet little girl! God's Speed.; March 17, 2010 at 8:31 AM
Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc.. said...: We are thinking of you! I hope the antibiotics and fluids do some good and you guys can come home soon.; March 17, 2010 at 9:03 AM
Anonymous said...: Oh I am so sorry to hear this! I hope things get better for her. I will pray for her to get better and outta the hospital!
(do you think our little visit got her sick, this is Camies bff Kristie.. I don't think any of us was sick but you never know what we maybe carrying)
((((HUGS))); March 17, 2010 at 9:52 AM
Julia said...: Oh, I was hoping we were done with hospital photos on this blog! LuLu, I love you to infinity. Fight, fight, fight, baby girl.

xoxo

JuJu; March 17, 2010 at 9:59 AM
Kristin said...: Good luck! Hopefully you're home soon. I feel so luck (knock on wood) that we haven't been back in the past 3 weeks!; March 17, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Jo Lynn said...: Poor thing, I can't believe she fell asleep in the bath! What a little angel you have and now I'm going to read and hopefully see that all is well with baby Lulu!; March 17, 2010 at 3:40 PM

Liver for LuLu

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

We're Baaaack...Home away from Home

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