Even though she's only four months old, little Kaylee Lindley has already made medical history. She's also had more surgeries than most of us will in our lifetime.
Jim and Kellie Lindley were excited about the birth of their daughter. But as soon as young Kaylee was born, she was fighting for her life.
Kellie knew right away something was wrong when her daughter was born. Doctors soon confirmed those fears - Kaylee's liver had not properly developed. She was airlifted from the Quad Cities to University of Iowa Children's Hospital. Her only hope was a new liver. Luckily, Kaylee's father was a perfect match. Transplant specialists would use a portion of his liver to save Kaylee's life.
"If you don't transplant right away, it can damage the brain, edema, hernia - and it causes death," says You Min Wu, M.D., UI transplant surgeon. "That kind of went without saying. I was the same blood type. I was the most likely candidate, and I was going to do that," says Jim.
"The day I sent my husband and daughter into surgery... I didn't know if I'd see her pink little face again," says Kellie.
Kaylee's surgery was a success.
And at just 19 days old, she became the world's smallest and youngest liver transplant patient. Because she was so small, part of Kaylee's new liver remained outside her body following surgery. She would need to grow into the new organ, relying on a team of specialists to help her recover.
"I think that's what the people of Iowa need to realize they have here in this state. We have the depth that's necessary to allow this kind of thing to happen. And it's very exciting," says Warren Bishop, M.D., UI Pediatrician.
Kaylee gets stronger and healthier every day. Her parents say she's a real-life miracle.
"She's my hero. She's beautiful, and I'm very proud of her."
Kaylee's has had eight surgeries in her young life so far, but continues to do well at home in Port Byron, Illinois.
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