Publications
Partners
- Shortly after welcoming twins Hudson and Harley, the Wilsons were in for the shock of their lives.
- Their 8-week-old baby boy would need a liver transplant to survive a life-threatening condition.
- Mom Dani shares the ups and downs of life with a sick baby and the outpouring of love from her nearest and dearest, especially her closest friend.
Hudson Wilson made history earlier this year as Africa's youngest liver transplant recipient. Today, the baby boy is on the road to recovery, which his mom Dani says has been filled with emotional highs and lows.
It all began when Hudson was only 8-weeks-old and started having stomach aches.
Assuming the stomach trouble was related to colic, Dani says things took a turn for the worse when she noticed something strange about her baby's appearance.
"He's always been a bit colicky, so we picked up some colic calm to ease the cramps. But when he started turning yellow, we called the paediatrician right away".
The doctor's visit confirmed that Hudson, one-half of a set of boy-girl twins, had acute liver failure.
Recalling how she and her husband Michael felt learning about their baby's condition, Dani says they were "absolutely devastated".
"Your first thought is you are going to lose your child. We had to confront the reality that he might not make it".
Also read: Medical alert dog offers lifeline for tot battling Type 1 Diabetes
'Waiting for news and answers'
Life quickly became all about Hudson's medical care, with questions running rampant in her mind, Dani says.
"Was his liver recovering or dying off? What was the actual cause? Was there a plan and a way forward? We spent all our waking hours at the hospital waiting for news and answers. The first few days after his diagnosis was really hard".
The mental anguish became that much more intense when doctors informed the couple that their son needed a liver transplant if he was going to survive.
Thankfully, finding a match would prove easier than the parents initially thought.
'Living in the hospital'
Dani describes the support from family and friends as "incredible," with several of her nearest volunteering to see if any of them were a match for little Hudson's liver transplant.
And after "lots of forms, blood tests and scans," Dani says doctors discovered the perfect match in her close friend Ali Piper.
"My sister was first choice, but her liver was the wrong shape… Ali was next, and while we were all praying for [Hudson] just to stay alive, we got the message that she was a match. She came running up to me in the ICU in tears".
Following the operation was an equally trying time, Dani says, the parents found themselves practically "living in the hospital".
The couple took turns being with Hudson in hospital and home with their three-year-old son Aston and Hudson's twin sister Harley.
Also see: What I learned about life, love, and parenthood from our daughter’s chronic illness
Hudson and twin sister Harley. (Image supplied by Bidvest Life)
'New normal'
"We're finally home and trying to find our 'new normal', but there are still so many complications that can arise," Dani says.
The mom of three says Hudson's medication has a few worrying side effects, leaving her son susceptible to infection.
"He basically has no immune system because of the immune suppressants he's taking to ensure his body doesn't reject his new liver, so any germs and infections are extremely scary for us".
Taking care of two other kids has also proved challenging, but Dani says she's beyond thankful to her friend, Ali, and her entire support group, who's been there every step of the way.
"We can never thank them enough. My friend donated a portion of her liver for Hudson, and my family has supported us wherever we needed help, especially with two other small children at home. The doctors, nurses, physios, therapists, dieticians, and staff at Donald Gordon have been amazing. They have become like family".
Thankful that the emotional rollercoaster has finally ended, Dani says life has settled down considerably, and Hudson is on the mend.
"We have weekly blood tests and check-ups, and he's on a lot of medication. But we're taking it one day at a time".
Chatback:
Share your stories and questions with us via email at chatback@parent24.com. Anonymous contributions are welcome.
Don't miss a story!
For a weekly wrap of our latest parenting news and advice sign up to our free Parent24 newsletter.
