My name is Christopher Lee Braswell II. I was born May, 23rd 2000 with a rare genetic disease called PFIC2. (Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis type 2) it's a rare condition that affects the liver. People with this condition generally develop signs and symptoms during infancy, which may include severe itching, jaundice, failure to thrive, portal hypertension and a enlarged liver and spleen). Affected people also have an increased risk of developing liver cancer. PFIC2 is caused by change in the ABCB11 gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.
I went undiagnosed for the first two and half years of my life. My mother and grandmother endlessly sought the help of doctors and tried to find an answer, due to medical literature and awareness of the disease being limited at the time. After numerous visits, tests, and opinions. The answer to my illness remained to be unknown.
My grandmother would end up writing a letter to Oklahoma NewsOn 2
to broaden the reach of my story and try to get a definitive
diagnoses. Upon the airing of the original segment, two doctors
from the Tulsa area had a suspicion of what could be affecting me.
They eventually contacted my mother and told her that it was indeed
PFIC and the solution, although not a cure. Was a procedure of
Bilarial Diversion, where a piece of the small intestines is
re-routed through the gallbladder to an external stoma into an
ostomy bag. This would prove to be successful in slowing
the progression of the disease and nullifying my symptoms.
I was able to have somewhat of a normal childhood. I went to
school, played with friends, everything a normal kid would have
done. At the age of 22, the ostomy began to fail at keeping up with
the disease. By this time, I was entering Stage IV liver failure.
Once again, the search was on. Trying to find new answers into what
was in store for me, this time. A liver Transplant was the only
option to ensure my survival and secure a future.
We would be recommended to The MayoClinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
After being evaluated, I was accepted onto the Transplant List. The
only thing to do was take care of my body until the call came.
This period was rollercoaster in terms of quality of life. I
completely changed my diet into clean eating, I kept an active
lifestyle to prep my body for the surgery.
After two years of waiting, I would ultimately receive the call.
Within the day. We would be chartered to Rochester and I would be
transplanted the next day.
I am currently doing great, I get to return back to work in six
months. I’m at home and recovering. With each day I slowly, but
steadily getting back to where I can return to a normal life.
The purpose of this campaign is hopefully receive some assistance
for some of the future expenses that goes into receiving such care.
Please don’t feel pressured into donating, I appreciate the support
nonetheless. Every little bit helps. thank you for listening to my story.