Ava

A routine two-month checkup for adorable Ava from Sheho, SK., quickly took a turn when her doctor noticed her skin had a yellowish tint. 

Within two days of her doctor’s appointment, Ava was admitted to Saskatchewan’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH) for a week-long series of tests. The doctors quickly suspected a diagnosis but would need to confirm through surgery. 

Ava underwent surgery where it was confirmed she had Biliary Atresia, a rare liver condition. Surgeons removed her gallbladder and attached her small intestine directly to her liver to allow bile to drain properly.

“I can still remember the room we were in, the chair I was sitting in when I found out Ava’s diagnosis like it was yesterday! I remember pulling my mask away from my face because I felt like I couldn’t breathe,” said Kourtney, Ava’s mom. “I felt like we lost all control and there was nothing we could do but trust and hold on to faith and the doctor’s words that they were going to do everything they could for her.”  

About a year later, Ava was referred to Edmonton for a transplant assessment. Initially, doctors anticipated that Ava would need a liver transplant within six months; however, Ava defied expectations. After six months, her team decided that now was not the time for Ava to have her transplant and to allow her to keep growing and hitting all her milestones, a tremendous relief for her family.

Through the trials of Ava’s medical journey, her family has remained strong and focused on being thankful for their daughter.

“I thank Ava every day for choosing me to be her mamma,” said Kourtney. “Being a parent is hard, but being a parent to a medically complex child adds to the difficulty. We love her and are very grateful for her and the memories we get to make.”

Ava has had three gastrointestinal bleeds that required care at JPCH. Nevertheless, she continues to grow and hit her developmental milestones. Her family is deeply grateful for the exceptional care provided by JPCH and the medical teams involved.

“Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital was amazing. The teams are very knowledgeable and patient. Being a parent and being told something is wrong with your kid is hard. They walk you through every step and even offer a shoulder to cry on,” said Kourtney. 

Ava’s health remains a challenging journey, with occasional emergency visits to JPCH for her medical needs. 

Please donate to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation to help kids like Ava.