Tiffany Looney has come a long way since 2008.
The six year old daughter of Keremeos resident Asia Looney had a rough start to her life.
In February of 2008, her parents, Asia and Sam, discovered that Tiffany suffered from Biliary Atresia, a liver disease. Her story appeared in the February 28, 2008 edition of the Review. At that time she was scheduled for a liver transplant at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, after spending two months in Vancouver at the B.C. Children’s Hospital.
“We were so fortunate,” said Asia of the family’s experience in Edmonton. “Tiffany was only two weeks on the top of the list for transplants before a suitable donor was found. There was another girl on the list who waited six years.”
Tiffany spent five months recovering from the transplant, with the family remaining in Edmonton for two months while Tiffany visited the hospital every two days.
The family was back in the Similkameen only eight months before Tiffany ended up back in the hospital.
“She became ill once again. A post operative infection resulted in her body rejecting her new liver,” Asia explained.
It was back to the B.C. Children’s Hospital once again. this time to be in (for three weeks at a time) and out of the hospital over a one year period.
“She got better, and did well for about two years,” Asia continued.
“She has been having annual check ups, including three month follow ups.” It was during one of these visits that doctors discovered that Tiffany was now having issues with her kidneys. The medication she was taking to keep her body from rejecting her liver was now causing damage to her kidneys. Her teeth were also affected, resulting in extensive dental work as well.
“She’s very strong willed - she’s been able to thrive in spite of all the troubles she has had. She knows she’s been through a lot, and she’s just happy to celebrate life,” said Asia.
Presently, Tiffany is taking kidney medication that slows her kidneys down, as they are working too hard. The six year old must guard take precautions to keep from getting sick; because of the immuno-suppresion medication, her immune system is almost non-existent.
In spite of all her daughter’s troubles, Asia remains surprisingly optimistic. She feels that the kidney issues Tiffany is experiencing are more easily treated than her initial liver condition was - and other than that, she feels her daughter has done very well.
Asia has suffered some health setbacks of her own recently.
“I was diagnosed with cervical cancer,” she explained, “but two days before my hysterectomy, I found out I was pregnant.
Asia is excited about the prospect of a sister for Tiffany.
It’s a girl - due December 5. My other miracle daughter,” she said happily.