Co Armagh baby has liver transplant
**Prayers needed for little baby Erin
Parents in new hope for liver op tot Erin
By Nigel Gould
13 June 2005
The father of a baby Ulster girl, who is recovering after a 10-hour life-saving transplant op, said today he was hopeful his little daughter would be breathing on her own within the next few days.
Simon Nicks said he was “cautiously optimistic” after baby Erin’s liver surgery.
Speaking from Birmingham Children’s Hospital where the 10-month-old underwent her operation on Saturday, he said: “We are taking each day as it comes.
“At the moment doctors are making sure her blood is right and generally keeping an eye on things.
“The big worry is rejection of her new organ.
“The operation went well and hopefully we will get her off the ventilator some time this week.”
She will remain in intensive care while doctors monitor her condition.
The little girl from Whitecross in Co Armagh was critically ill with many complications from liver disease.
Last week, Simon said he and wife Orla desperately hoped a donor could be found, as she had stopped breathing a few days before that.
Mr Nicks said his daughter was born healthy but, after six weeks, blood tests picked up a problem.
“Since then, it has been a constant stream of hospitals and medicine and speaking to consultants and doctors,” he said.
Both parents have been keeping a daily vigil at Erin’s bedside.
He said the news that a donor had been found had come out of the blue.
“There’s a long way to go but this is just what we’ve been waiting for,” he said.
