On a high dependency unit, Lottie’s skin became almost transparent and yellow as her liver failed, while her arms were stained with blue bruises from drips needed to keep her alive.
At five weeks old, she was placed at the top of Britain’s super-urgent transplant list and given, at most, a month to survive.
Her life was only saved when a child donor’s liver becoming available two weeks later – an operation that would not have gone ahead in America due to her size.
Now aged six months, Lottie has a healthy pink tinge, her body has accepted the liver and she is developing well.
Mum Julie, a 40-year-old sales manager who grew up in Great Barr, said: “These figures are fantastic.
“Today we are home and someone else has those tears as they sit waiting to see if their loved one will be given the chance of life.
“The family of Lottie’s donor suffered the most excruciating and horrible loss but, thanks to their bravery, Lottie made it and she will live her life knowing that.
“I constantly think about that family. There aren’t suitably powerful words to express our utter gratitude.
“They saved our baby’s life and we can never repay what they did for us. If they can imagine the good they did, I hope one day, it goes a little way to ease the pain of their loss. Within a few hours of the transplant operation, Lottie had her colour back and has improved faster than any other child the doctors have treated.
“Lottie wouldn’t be here today without the organ donor register. That’s how important it is.”
Lottie’s plight has attracted interest from families across America, Australia, Ghana, Spain and Thailand.
Internationally-renowned Prof Deirdre Kelly, who is Lottie’s consultant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s liver unit, said: “Lottie is one of the youngest babies ever to have a transplant in the world as she was still premature when she had the operation.
“I was in America when Lottie was sick and doctors there told me they wouldn’t have attempted to operate on a child so small and ill.
“People need to realise that transplants work, are effective and give children receiving them a long life. We need more parents to agree to their child becoming donors if we are to save more babies like Lottie.”
OUR SAY: PAGE 48
