A mum in palliative care who was diagnosed with liver failure at just 16-years-old has thanked the hero transplant team at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for giving her '18 years of life and two beautiful children.'
Katie Howden, 34, has had three liver transplants and debilitating health issues since high school, spending a lot of time in and out of hospital while growing up.
Tragically after a successful transplant last year her body now started to reject the organ and triggered liver failure which has spread to other major organs.
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The mum of Nicholas, 12, and Brooke, 10, is faced with the unfathomable pain of not getting to see her kids grow up and is focussing on spending all of the time they have left creating precious memories her kids can hold onto forever.
When she got the heartbreaking news she called brother Peter Howard, 32, who lives in Cornwall to let him know and he immediately moved home to look after his big sister.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live Peter said: "When my sister was 16 she got acute liver failure and had a transplant, four years after that she had a blood clot and further complications that made her very unwell.
"She was fine for twelve years and had two beautiful children before she got abscesses on her liver and had to have another liver transplant. Just last year she had a third liver transplant which was successful until April when her body started to reject the organ.
"Then it started to fail so she was put on a course of steroids which destroyed her kidneys and her healthcare changed to palliative care.
"When she told me this I got on a train straightaway and moved in with her to take care of her and the kids. She is in end-of-life care now and we are just preparing for the worst while making the most of the time we have left."
Katie said: "I have been speechless from day one with the care and attention the transplant team has given me. The nurses work day and night and are always there.
"People on the transplant ward are seriously unwell and the work they do to look after us is incredible.
"I have had the same team since I was 16 years old at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and they have given me 18 extra years and two beautiful children - I will always be thankful for that."
Katie continued: "Doctors can't tell me exactly how long I have left because everyone's organs are different but I am still mobile just now and trying to make as many memories as possible with my kids.
"They both understand everything about my health and illness. I have always tried to be honest with them and never promised that I will be okay.
"We have a five-day break booked at Loch Tay in June which I'm really looking forward to and then I will just spend the rest of my time doing things the kids want to do."
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Finally, she added: "I'm at home now and take every day as it comes, I am just so thankful for the amazing work all the NHS staff do from the porters to district nurses and transplant team.
"I wouldn't be here with my kids without them."
Katie's brother started a fundraising page to financially support the family so they can make the most of the borrowed time they have left.
You can find out more and donate here.
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