LIVER CENTER
Evea
Diagnosed at 2 months,
chronic liver disease

When Evea was 2 months old, she was diagnosed with chronic liver disease.

Today, Evea is active and outgoing -  enjoying cheerleading, dancing, and basketball. But she hasn’t always been so active. Evea was diagnosed with chronic liver disease when she was barely 2 months old. Constantly fatigued, she was unable to take part in many normal childhood activities for the first half of her life.

"I really didn’t know anything about liver disease when she was diagnosed," said Shirley, Evea’s mother. "I was worried, but I knew I had to be strong for her. I did a lot of praying."

Evea was born with biliary atresia, a condition that leads to the deterioration of the liver. As Evea’s mother quickly learned, managing liver disease requires frequent stays in the hospital and large, daily doses of medicine and vitamins.

At the tender age of 4, Evea received her first liver transplant. Her body eventually rejected the liver, and when she was 6, Evea received a second transplant. Soon after, the family moved from New Haven, Conn., to Houston. The doctors who had been treating Evea since infancy recommended specialists at Texas Children’s Hospital.

"I trusted those doctors and knew if they recommended Texas Children’s, then it was the best place for Evea," said Shirley. "I knew we were being placed in good hands."

"Texas Children’s is a great hospital. The nurses are very good with her, and I feel comfortable with them. The doctors let me know what’s going on and explain her medical condition in terms I can understand. They tell me what to do to help her stay well."

In fact, Dr. Saul Karpen, director for Texas Children’s Liver Center, was one of Evea’s doctors in Connecticut. Having known him most of her life, Evea shares a special bond with Karpen, who makes a point of spending time with her even outside the hospital.

"Dr. Karpen is like family," said Shirley. "We’re very happy he’s at Texas Children’s."

Having been treated for liver disease most of her life, Evea has a remarkably clear understanding of her condition and has been known to help fellow patients cope with chronic liver disease.

"I explain to kids how the IV medication works, and I tell them about the transplants," Evea said. "It doesn’t bother me when they ask questions because I can do things now that I never thought I could do. I used to be really sick, but now I can run around and have fun with other kids."

Evea has not endured an extended hospital stay in almost five years, but she continues to receive follow-up treatment and monitoring at Texas Children’s. Evea said she’s thankful for the staff at Texas Children’s Liver Center.

"If they are about to do something that I don’t understand, they stop and explain it to me," she said. "They really take good care of me."