A Nottinghamshire mum of two has spoken out about motherhood as she feels ‘incredibly lucky to be here’ 30 years after having her liver transplant at seven years old.
Emma Croghan from Carlton, was born with the rare liver disease, biliary atresia, where the bile ducts are scarred and blocked. Emma was just seven when she underwent the life-saving surgery.
The 37-year-old said: “At the time, it was early days for paediatric liver transplants in the UK. My quality of life improved dramatically but there were still so many unknowns about the future.
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“Because of this, it meant a lot for me and my family to receive information and support from Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF). It was reassuring to know that I wasn’t alone, even with a rare disease. I had more questions all the time and CLDF was always there to help me.
“There was obviously no data on survival rates for people in my situation or how it would affect my chances of having a family. So I do feel incredibly lucky to be here 30 years on, fit and well with two healthy children.”
Emma and her husband Paul both share two young boys, they welcomed their eldest William seven years ago and Theo followed three years later.
She continued: “Due to me being an ‘interesting case’ I was monitored very closely throughout both pregnancies and received excellent care.”
“Since then, I think I have gone through the same motherhood challenges as everyone else. I was advised not to breastfeed because of the immunosupression medication I take, but bottle-feeding suited us all fine. In general life, I’m very lucky that I continue to be in good health and my liver condition doesn’t impact me hugely from day to day, other than I probably get tired a little more quickly than others.”
As Mothers Day, March 18, was in the same week that marks 30th anniversary of her liver transplant, March 16, she celebrated the special weekend with her family.
Emma said: “This weekend will be special as I’ll be spending it with my boys. We’ll probably just build some Lego and go for a walk in the park, but they’re great fun and I love spending time with them. Of course, I shall always be grateful to the family of my liver donor for the incredible gift that they gave.
"I really hope that my story gives hope to other girls and young women who grow up with childhood liver disease. Motherhood is exhausting and relentless but a thousand times over the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Rebecca Cooper, Chief Executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation commented: “It’s wonderful that Mothers’ Day this year coincides with such a special anniversary for Emma. Happily, paediatric liver transplant is now well established in the UK which means many more young people have a future to look forward to and we are privileged to provide them and their families with the information and support they need for their journey."
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