“I don’t like that I used to think that way. But it tells me that there is a whole lot
of educating that needs to occur. I know I was not alone in my thinking.”
Today Nelson is a big part of the solution. She frequently speaks to groups
about their story and encourages others to sign up as donors.
“I was one of those people who said, ‘If I came into the world with it, I’m leaving with it,’” recalled Nelson. “I cannot believe I thought that way and I am helping change that. One step at a
time.”
Nelson said her family would love to meet Michayla’s donor family and prays for them every day.
“Not one day goes by that we don’t pray for them,” said Nelson. “We don’t have a face or a name, but God knows. I don’t even know how to thank them for this precious gift. But I am grateful to
everyone who has made that decision to give of themselves, in whatever
capacity. It’s going to change someone’s life.”
Michayla’s doctors are pleased with her progress and will continue to follow her recovery
during routine checkups.
“As VCH’s first successful pediatric liver transplant recipient, Michayla embodies the
courage and fortitude that is present in all of our liver recipients,” said Beau Kelly, M.D., surgical director of the pediatric liver program at
Vanderbilt.
The creation of a pediatric liver transplant program at Vanderbilt in 2007 means
that children with end-stage liver disease no longer have to travel great
distances for care, Kelly said.
“They can receive exceptional state-of-the-art care here. It means that kids can
grow up with their families doing the wonderful things that children were made
to do.”
