Savannah A. - Quilt Finished in 2007
Born: December 5, 2006
Illness: Biliary Atresia
A Thank you from Savannah's Family!
Written December 10, 2008
Hi! We were blessed to have received a Love Quilt and simply wanted to thank you again! We are moving soon and I was packing my daughter's room...one of the first things I packed up for our move was her Love Quilt. This is a treasure that was wrapped around her fragile little body for so many hospital visits and one that we will cherish forever.
Savannah will be a year post transplant on December 29. Our donor angel's family gave us the precious gift of life when they chose to donate their angel's liver to save mine. I will never be able to repay all of those who have loved our child so much without even having the amazing pleasure of holding her.
Again, thank you for all of the love, kindness and prayers that you send in your beautiful creations!
My warmest wishes,
Ana and Savannah
Savannah's Story
Written by Savannah's mom Ana in July 2007
Savannah is the best Christmas present we have ever had! She was born on December 5, 2006. We waited 13 years to have her and had never been more excited in our lives! She is the perfect little miracle we prayed for. Savannah was jaundiced at birth and received light treatment at the hospital. We were told that jaundice is very common and we had nothing to worry about.
At around 2 weeks Savannah had blood in her stool. This panicked her Mami and Papi and she was taken to her pediatrician. Her pediatrician diagnosed her with a milk allergy. Savannah experienced a lot of pain and would cry when she ate and had a poopy. Her Mami kept taking her back to the pediatrician but was just told to continue changing formulas until we found the right one for her. Savannah continued to have a yellow tint to her skin. Her Mami was told that it was because she was a racially mixed baby (Hispanic/Caucasian) and the olive tint in her Mami's skin was what made Savannah look a little yellow. Unfortunately, Savannah was never tested for anything and her liver disease symptoms were dismissed.
At 4 months Savannah was taken to see a GI specialist. The GI doctor immediately told her Mami and Papi that there was something wrong with their little miracle. Blood work was ordered that same day and the roller coaster ride began. After 2 biopsies we have learned that Savannah has a rare liver disease called Biliary Atresia. After her second biopsy there were complications due to bleeding. We thought we had lost our sweet angel but she is a warrior princess and fought back. There is no known cause for the Biliary Atresia. Unfortunately because she was not diagnosed early enough her only chance for life is a pediatric liver transplant. Savannah has cirrhosis of the liver. She is currently being treated by an incredible group of doctors at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. Her Mami keeps a daily journal on her site www.cotaforsavannaha.com which you are welcomed to read Savannah's progress.
Savannah is a sweet, adorable little baby who brings nothing but joy to her Mami and Papi..Savannah will overcome her condition! A liver transplant is not a cure but it will allow her to live the wonderful, happy life that she is meant to live.
Thank you for reading Savannah's story...please keep our sweet Savvy in your thoughts and prayers.
