The Rivera Family

The Rivera Family

On a summer night in June 2023, Liam woke up to a persistent nosebleed that lasted over 45 minutes. Concerned, we decided to call 911 for medical help when Liam started vomiting blood. Emergency services were called, and upon arrival, Liam’s bleeding nose had stopped, and he was alert. They cleaned him up and  his parents scheduled a visit to his primary healthcare provider the following day.

During the primary doctor’s visit, Liam appeared fine, which led to the doctor stating his symptoms occurred due to seasonal issues. However, his family persisted in requesting blood work. Reluctantly, the doctor agreed, which eventually revealed concerning results. Urgently, Liam’s parents were told to bring him to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for further evaluation.

At CHOP, Liam underwent extensive testing as doctors explored various possibilities, including Leukemia and Lymphoma, which were both ruled out. After a week of hospital stay and numerous tests, Liam’s case took a complex turn. As the Fourth of July weekend approached, we were shifted to outpatient care due to limited medical staff availability.

The medical mystery surrounding Liam continued with appointments, ultrasounds, and genetic testing. A long wait followed until genetic testing revealed a diagnosis of PFIC-3 in March 2024. Subsequently, Liam’s sister was also tested and diagnosed with PFIC-3 along with Alpha-1 AT deficiency.

Now, we are navigating medical interventions for both children to determine the course of action and the potential need for liver transplants.