Alivia’s parents grateful for Primary Children’s

She’s only 16 months old, but Alivia Ward has been through more than many adults will ever go through.
Diagnosed with a rare liver disorder, Alivia may not be alive today were it not for a quick operation.
The sound of chattering and laughter vibrates through the Wards’ house now, but that wasn’t exactly the case even just a few months ago.
Little Alivia showed signs of jaundice at 8 weeks old. The local doctor quickly sent her down to Primary Children’s Medical Center for testing.
“She was diagnosed with billiary atresia and there’s no cure for it,” said Corey Ward. Alivia’s father.
Alivia’s liver wasn’t working. So, the doctor’s at Primary Children’s performed a procedure to essentially buy her time.
“She did good with it for a month and a half or so and then she started getting sick with some different things,” said Corey.
That’s when Primary Children’s officially put her on the transplant list.
In the following months, Alivia deteriorated even mor, while her parents anxiously wait.
“It was kind of mixed emotions because you knew she was getting sicker because her score was getting higher yet she was getting closer to the top of the list,” said Corey.
Finally, just after Thanksgiving, Alivia received a fully functioning liver. Today she’s healthy, happy, and well on the road to recovery.
The Ward’s will never forget their experience with Primary Children’s. “You walk in there and there’s just a different feeling. There’s a feeling of hope. There’s a feeling of healing. And everybody there is, they’re wonderful,” said Corey.
Alivia may always need some form of help, but her parents said since leaving the hospital, she’s gone from 18 medications down to six.