Lennon’s Journey

While visiting family and friends in Los Angeles on January 10th, 2020, tragedy struck our little family. My daughter, Lennon (11 months old at the time), went into acute liver failure. Over the course of an incredibly long week, we watched her quickly deteriorate. She was placed on the transplant list and the doctors and nurses in the ICU spent every second just trying to get her stable enough to possibly have the transplant surgery. She had machines (ventilator, dialysis, etc) living for her. We were told by multiple doctors that she would not make it. But, by an absolute miracle, Lennon received a liver just in time.




Due to the severity of Lennon’s illness, she has faced numerous complications. She has a major ascites (fluid in the abdomen) problem. Both of her Jugular veins are completely clotted. She has lost the ability to swallow. And, her gut will not tolerate food. She is only fed via IV nutrition and small doses of formula through a feeding tube.




Lennon needs 24/7 care. As Lennon’s mom, I have had to take on the role of full-time caregiver and basically, her nurse! Between Lennon’s illness & COVID, I have been completely out of work since December. Asking for help is not something that comes easy to me and I have pushed it off for months. We recently were told by Lennon’s team, that the best thing for her care is to plan to live in LA for at least a year. Doing the best thing for Lennon is always a number one priority, but it is a scary realization to be a thousand miles from my family with very little resources. Normal life expenses have really started to add up.




I know times are tough for everyone right now and I appreciate anyone’s willingness and ability to help out during these tough times.




I am incredibly grateful that I still get to hold my baby and have the ability to care for her through all of this.