Case studies

Staying at the House kept us sane for our son’s liver transplant

Jessica Barzillia and her husband, Clive, live in Gloucestershire. They first found out their son Isaac was seriously ill when he was two weeks old. It still came as a shock, even though they already had some concerns over his health during the pregnancy.

They were quickly seen by the Liver Unit in Birmingham Children’s Hospital after the GP’s referral, but it took several tests before a diagnosis was reached. Isaac had Biliary Atresia, which meant his bile ducts hadn’t formed properly and his liver was becoming damaged.

He had his first surgery, a Kasai portoenterostomy, at four weeks old. That is when the family first stayed in our Ronald McDonald House Birmingham.

Jessica said: ‘The staff in the Liver Unit referred us to the House and we couldn’t believe how easy it was to get to the House and pick up the keys to our home away from home. Ronald McDonald House Birmingham gave us somewhere comfortable to rest, wash and relax away from the stress of the ward. The facilities were amazing: bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, modern communal kitchen and sociable dining areas, laundry and numerous well equipped lounges. The House staff were so friendly and supportive, they always took the time to stop and talk, which made a big difference.’

Three months after the first surgery, the family was back because Isaac’s liver had sustained so much damage that he needed a transplant. He was very poorly and it was a very worrying time for Jessica and Clive. Isaac was put straight on to the ‘urgent’ list and received his transplant within a few days, which was a miracle.

There were some complications after the surgery and little Isaac had breathing problems, so he had to be nursed into Intensive care for four weeks. At times, his parents found it hard to believe he was ever going to be strong enough to breathe on his own, let alone come home. But Isaac pulled through. The family stayed in the House for another nine weeks after their first visit.

Jessica added:’ I can honestly say I don’t know how we would have coped, emotionally or financially, without it. We were able to chat to other parents with children in the hospital and struck up some enduring friendships. We have since stayed for another week when Isaac was readmitted during a rocky period and we always pop in to say hello to the staff when we are in Birmingham for check-up appointments.’

Isaac has recovered well after his troubled start to life and the Barzillia family are eternally grateful for the generous gift made by his donor and their family, as well as for skills and dedication of the surgeons, doctors and nurses involved in his care.

They said: ‘Ronald McDonald Houses Charities provides a real life-line to families in times of great worry. Thanks to their help and support we were able to focus all our energy on helping our baby through a very lengthy and difficult recovery, and managed to retain some sanity and humour along the way.’