From malfunctioning landline to neighbourly lifeline - the story of 21-month-old Emily Byrne has as many twists as the cables in her local phone network. Diagnosed at 14 weeks with biliary atresia, a rare disease of the liver and bile ducts, Emily underwent corrective surgeries but ultimately required a transplant. By the time the live transplant took place Emily was “against the clock”, Ann-Marie said. John’s suitability was only finally determined after he’d been cut open and the left lobe of his liver became Emily’s life-saving organ. He’s been doing fairly well since, while Emily did need further surgery and two periods in Crumlin hospital, Dublin.

Source: Irish Examiner April 01, 2019 17:15 UTC