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Welcome to Kaya Estlyn Shepherd-Poppick's Home Page!
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This site was established to keep friends and family posted on current events in Kaya's life, as well as to share our experience with Kaya's small-bowel and liver transplant. We hope that Kaya's story is an encouraging one to other families facing similar challenges.
Hi!!! My name is Kaya Estlyn. I was born on November 9th, 1998, at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City, and for the past year and a half have been living in Missoula, MT. I love it here in Montana, and have been having a great time playing outdoors and meeting lots of nice people. My favorite things to do these days include taking gymnastics classes, going to story-time at the library, and playing with all of my good friends.
My life is great now, but had a rough first year. I was born without much small intestine, and had to spend months and months in the hospital. I've had many, many surgeries (some big, some little), and I've been sick a lot. When the doctors told us that I needed to have a transplant, my parents took me to different hospitals and put me on several organ donor lists, but it took a long time to get my new liver and intestine. Thank goodness my new organs finally came October 20th, 1999! Now I'm feeling much better.
My life is great since my transplant...my parents and I would like to thank everyone who has given us support and love over the last several years: family, friends, doctors, and nurses - We could not have done it with out you!
Take a look around my site. Please e-mail me if you have questions or just want to say hi! You can also go to the links below for more information. Mom and Dad will be up-dating this page often, so come again soon!
Kaya's operation was very complicated and very expensive, so her parents established a transplant fund for her. Kaya's fund did very, very well (thanks to all of you who have helped out!) and is an immense help with the costs not covered by insurance. Kaya's fund was set up
through the National Transplant Assistance Fund, a fantastic non-profit organization, dedicated to helping the families of transplant patients. All contributions that were made in Kaya's name go towards her transplant expenses only - - and all contributions were tax deductible! Thanks again for all your help!!!
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