Little George needs a Lifesaving Liver Transplant

I want to introduce you to my nephew George, a bright and curious 1½-year-old who finds joy in the simplest things. He is a social butterfly ready to make friends with a cheeky grin and a high five. He loves animals, space ships, sharing cups of tea with his teddies, playing with toy cars, and dancing. A gentle soul with a lively sense of humour, who is quick to share what he has and include everyone around him in games filled with sparkling imagination. He enjoys reading stories with Mum and Dad, discovering how things work and (of course) he loves everyone’s favourite blue cartoon pup! But behind his infectious laughter he faces a serious new medical challenge: George urgently needs a liver transplant to save his life.

George's Brave Battle:

After a sudden episode of vomiting blood in January 2023, six month old George and his parents were flown from their home on the North West Coast of Tasmania to The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. Specialists were able to diagnose him with Idiopathic Extrahepatic Portal Vein Thrombosis. This is a rare condition in children, without a known cause in his case. George's portal vein is irreversibly blocked, causing severe portal hypertension, and is now putting him at risk of catastrophic internal bleeding.

Over the last 13 months, this diagnosis resulted in 6 interstate trips between the family home in Tasmania and the Royal Children’s Hospital in Victoria, for various monitoring and medical procedures, amounting to 9 general anaesthetics to date. There have also been numerous local hospitalisations due to complications such as suspected internal bleeding and an infection of ascites fluid. During the family’s most recent visit to the RCH, George’s specialist was alarmed by her findings that his symptoms have worsened despite medication. It is her teams expert opinion that he is at high risk of a catastrophic internal bleed. As a result of this finding and discussions had by multiple teams of specialists, the decision has been made that George needs a life-saving liver transplant with the possibility of a splenectomy.

Throughout this journey, George's parents, Jo and Nic, have been his unwavering support system. They've devoted themselves to understanding his complex condition, administering his daily medications, staying vigilant for any signs of a bleed, and ensuring his every need is met, despite the challenges of reduced work hours, being a single income family and experiencing extended stays away from the comfort of home.

Looking Towards the Future:

Liver Transplant surgery is, of course, a massive operation, made all the more confronting a reality for someone so small. It is the family’s first priority to stay by George’s side throughout the entire process. Nic and Jo will be taking time away from home and work to provide round-the-clock care and emotional support for their little boy, and each other, during this heartbreaking experience. An additional pressure for the family is the unpredictable nature of a transplant list and the unknowns that follow. Jo and Nic are ready to drop everything to make the trip, knowing that there may be “false starts” and each trip is not a guarantee that a transplant will be possible. It is everyone’s hope that a successful surgery can happen soon and be free of complications. However the road to recovery is daunting, with an estimated three-month recovery period, which includes ICU, ward stay and some time staying in Melbourne being seen as an outpatient, as well as his recovery time at home after George can return to Tasmania. A liver transplant comes with lifelong immunosuppressant / anti-rejection medication, frequent procedures for monitoring and huge risks. The experienced liver team from the RCH and the Austin’s liver transplant surgeons have met with and reassured Jo and Nic that little George is in the very best hands.

How You Can Make a Difference:

Your support can lighten the burden for George and his family, allowing them to stay together through his Liver Transplant surgery and any complications that may arise during recovery. The family lives in Tasmania, and must travel to Melbourne for George’s treatment. Donations will help cover medication costs, cost of living during extended stays away from home in Melbourne, bills, mortgage and food costs which will allow Jo and Nic to meet George’s full-time needs during his recovery.

A message from George’s parents:

“We’re still processing a lot, a liver transplant is a huge surgery and George is still so small. Outwardly, he seems like a healthy child, so it’s difficult to come to terms with what we have been told. But we are ready to do whatever it takes to care for him in every way throughout this journey. We are in this together and your support helps us to stay by George’s side and to keep each other strong for him. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”