Archive for liver disease
Running the Boston Marathon with a purpose: Ben’s liver transplant journey
Ben is no stranger to sports — in fact he’s probably the most excited when he’s able to get on a soccer field or with his team. This April, he’ll be running alongside the Boston Children’s Hospital team at the Boston Marathon! At 18 years old, Ben has already overcome incredible challenges, so taking on ... Read More
Immunotherapy for kids: An option for childhood liver cancer?
You may have seen ads for immunotherapy drugs, or even know someone whose cancer has been treated with them. These medications, which use a patient’s own immune system to help fight cancer, are increasingly popular for treating solid tumors in adults. However, immunotherapy has been less successful in treating cancer in kids. The reason for ... Read More
Kira’s story: how a diagnosis of fatty liver disease nourished a lasting lifestyle change
Kira’s journey with fatty liver disease began about six years ago, when imaging for other medical reasons showed areas of concern with her liver. Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat is stored in the liver; it can lead to progressive liver disease and is the most common pediatric liver disease in the country. The ... Read More
A surprising diagnosis leads to treatment for Liam’s liver cancer
For Liam Dickerson, what started as a simple sick day turned into a journey he never could have expected. In 2018, he wasn’t feeling well and paid a visit to his high school’s nurse. Although he was experiencing chest and under arm pain, the nurse worried that he might have appendicitis and recommended he see ... Read More
Beating the odds with biliary atresia: Sarah’s story
Five-year-old Sarah Sirpenski loves watching TV shows about baking and is eager to try her hand at it herself. She likes to spend time in her family’s kitchen, measuring out imaginary cups of sugar and other ingredients, say her parents, Kate and Dan. One of her doctors even calls her “corn muffin” — although that ... Read More
Coping with hepatoblastoma: It didn’t take magic for John’s family to find answers
John Ogden considers himself a bit of a wizard. When his dad, Nick, says he wishes he had a boat, the 5-year-old points to a picture of one and casts a magic spell, declaring, “Moonshine, moonlight, make this sailboat come to life!” “He’s a typical kid: inquisitive, imaginative, ornery, and fun,” says his mom, Julie. ... Read More
Trusting their instincts: Gary’s parents find help for immune-mediated hepatitis
For Mercedes Hollingsworth and Gary Walker, Jr., trusting their parental instincts helped get their son Gary Walker III — affectionately known as GW — the care he needed. “We knew right away that something wasn’t right,” she says. “He just wasn’t a happy newborn. He looked miserable all the time.” Mercedes, who also has an ... Read More
Meghan’s journey with UESL: Finding treatment for a rare form of liver cancer
In the spring of 2017, Meghan Tompkins and her parents, Danni and Michael, arrived at the Dana Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorder Center. They were there for an appointment after Meghan’s doctors identified a suspicious spot on her liver. Meghan, then 13, only knew that she was having gastrointestinal symptoms — no one had uttered ... Read More
Finding ways to give thanks for the gift of life
The holiday season is a time for families to count their blessings. But for Elizabeth Molina-Cordero, the meaning of this time of year — and the gratitude she feels — goes much deeper and lasts throughout the year. Five years ago, her son Julian, who is now 7 years old, received the ultimate gift of life ... Read More
Jillian’s story: Finding care, support, then a diagnosis
Eighteen-year-old Jillian Allair is funny, independent, sarcastic, and the charmer of the family. She loves music, especially top 40, and little kids, with a soft spot for those with medical challenges. Jillian knows a thing or two about medical challenges herself — she’s been a patient at Boston Children’s Hospital since she was 8 weeks ... Read More