"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." ~ Philippians 4:13.

Here is a brief synopsis of Natalie's Story:
On February 9, 2005 Natalie received a new (but slightly used) portion of her mommy's liver!!!
Natalie needed a new liver because she was born with biliary atresia . It is a progressive disease that over time damaged her liver - a pediatric liver disease with no known cause or cure.

Before her transplant, Natalie had many complications of end stage liver disease including: jaundice, portal vein hypertension, ascites, and she had reoccurring infections of Cholangitis. In November of 2004, Natalie was added to the national transplant waiting list, UNOS, but even with all her complications, her PELD score was low at 11. Her Godfather, Pat Dempsey, was tested to be a donor, but it was found that the surgery would be too dangerous for both of them. So then her mommy was tested and in February of 2005 Natalie received the gift of life for a second time from her mommy!!!

Following her transplant she's had her share of complications:
...2 days following the transplant, she developed a clot in her hepatic artery and was relisted for a new liver - Status 1. Status 1 is given to kids with a life expectancy of 7 days. However, when they went in to operate, they were surprised to find that they could fix the problem.

...Then a few days later she had a MASSIVE bleed. She was given 3 units of blood in an hour. A short while later her surgeon (Dr. Superina) met us in the waiting room. They could not figure out where the bleeding was coming from and as they tried to operate - the bleeding stopped.

...then she had issues of rejection, developed PTLD, and developed hemolitic anemia. PTLD is cancer in the lymph nodes; it is something that we will continue to monitor with CT scans.

...She also has had reoccurring bile duct issues, which have resulted in her having to keep a PTC drain in place.
She has had her PTC drain out for 7 months now and was recently inactivated on the transplant list! Prayers work.



This is the face of organ donation.

Lovely Natalie...

--> (7/30/2008)
NEW NEW NEW --> Ever wish you could be notified when I update this site? Now you can be!!
Subscribe to Home of Nataliebear by Email

-->(7/30/2008)
COOKBOOK INFO: We have more cookbooks!!!
There are 2 ways to order (1) email me. (2) The easiest – click on my eBay store link and buy one!! Visit My eBay Store: Serving up Cups of Courage

-->(May 2008)
The goal is real. The fear of losing my cool phone and ipod is real. The $ that I be raising for the ALF is real. My resolution for 2008 - if I don't attempt the Chicago Marathon in 2008, I vow to give up my ipod and cool cell phone.

-->(December 2004)
An account has been set up at Stillman Bank to help Natalie and her family defray some of the costs of transplant.
To Donate:
Make a Check Payable to:
Natalie Ketter Benefit

Mail to:
101 East Main Street
P.O. Box 150
Stillman Valley, IL 61084-0150

Thursday, October 02, 2008 09:32 AM CDT

The 5th Birthday letter

Dearest Natalie,
5 years have passed since you came into my life and changed it for the better.
5 years have passed since I learned the truest meaning of unconditional love.
5 years have passed since my heart learned the ache that such unconditional love can cause.
5 years have passed since God blessed your daddy and me with you.
5 years have passed since I became "mama bear."

It was a chilly day, the Monday that Dr. Stone admitted me for your birth. I packed a sweater and the new robe that my mom had given to me. That evening, as we waited for you to join us, Daddy tried to watch some TV. First the Bears beat the Packers. But since childbirth makes a mommy cranky, I asked your daddy to turn off the TV. (I wanted to watch the game but couldn't concentrate) So Daddy turned off the volume so I could take a nap. Then he tried to watch a movie called "Scent of a Woman." And just as I was getting into the movie, a contraction would hit, letting me know that your appearance was eminent. So I "politely" told your dad to turn off the movie. And then at 2:04 in the morning on Tuesday September 30, 2003 you joined our family.

You were perfect. For being 5 weeks early - there was nothing visibly wrong. We were expecting lung problems - but your cries told us that you'd be just fine. Daddy followed the nurses as they cleaned you up and weighed and measured you, already showing protective "Papa Bear" traits. And then back you came to Mommy...and I never let you go.

Two days later and we discovered the high bilirubin that wouldn't go away and you were whisked away from 2 new, nervous, scared out of their wits, parents, worried about you like crazy. I should mention that the chill had left the air...it was almost 80 degrees as we drove north to the Rockford NICU. See, you warmed us.

But there is so much more to you than that. You are a brilliant little girl and your eyes sparkle with the reflection of Jesus. We are blessed to be your parents and I am a better person because you are in my life. Happy birthday, Princess.

From Natalie

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