The Times Advocate, 2008-12-17, Page 33Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Times -Advocate Christmas Greetings 2008 1
Liver transplant patient enjoying life ."
Making progress Three-year-old Ema Brown of Exeter, who is the daughter of Jennifer and Bob Brown and brother of
Ian, and who underwent a liver transplant Dec. 29, 2005 is continuing to develop. She is registered to start junior kindergarten
next year and enjoys playing with lan. (photos/Pat Bolen)
By Pat Bolen
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER Despite facing new challenges
on a regular basis, three-year-old liver trans-
plant recipient Ema Brown of Exeter is look-
ing forward to her fourth Christmas with her
parents Jennifer and Bob and brother Ian.
After being born Aug. 9, 2005, Ema was di-
agnosed with Galactosemia and couldn t di-
gest sugar, which led to a liver transplant Dec.
29, 2005 and Ema spending most of the first 16
months of her life in a hospital.
Jennifer said Ema knows about the idea of
Santa but doesn t know what Christmas en-
tails.
She has a lot more energy now, said Jen-
nifer and while she is getting taller Ema isn t
gaining any weight, although Jennifer said
Ema eats more than Ian does. Jennifer said Ian
is really good with her, although she likes
getting into his things.
Jennifer said Ema is around the size of an
18 -month old and was diagnosed two months
ago with kidney disease and while her kid-
neys are only working at about a 70 per cent
level, it isn t a crisis. Treating the kidney dis-
ease is trial and error, said Jennifer, with Ema
getting an MRI recently. The family is still
waiting for the results.
The family takes Ema to a doctor on average
once a month, including a liver doctor as well
as a genetics doctor.
Although Ema s legs can t support her yet,
Jennifer says she is almost running with her
hands, and attends the Relouw Early Child-
Celebrating Christmas at Precious Blood
TIMES ADVOCATE
424 Main St., Box 850
Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6
Tel: 519-235-1331 • Fax: 519-235-0766
www.southhuron.com
hood Learning Centre three days a week to be
with other children as well as to work with
various therapists.
The family has to be careful about making
sure Ema doesn t get colds or flu, and she
hasn t had any this year.
You always have to think about it, said
Bob. She s good now but tomorrow could be
different.
After being on 14 anti-rejection drugs previ-
ously, Ema is now down to five, but she will
be on at least two her entire life as well as diet
restrictions with no dairy.
She really likes pre-school, said Jennifer.
She s very social and likes other kids. She s
lost when Ian isn t around.
014
l%
.• I 1 1
�
Sounds of the season The students of Precious Blood School held their Christmas concert at
Precious Blood Church on Dec. I I. A packed house turned out to support the performers, which
included Kindergarten students Lana Hippern and Tyler Parsons (above left) and student Owen
Kuranyi, who is pictured during a dramatization of Twas the Night Before Christmas. (photos/Ben
Forrest)