FAMILY and friends are rallying around Nowra couple Brad Clark and Peta Browne after their young son Isaac underwent a liver transplant at Westmead Children's Hospital late last week.
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Now nine and a half months old, Isaac was born with biliary atresia, a life-threatening liver condition, where the liver and bile ducts don't produce bile which is used to break down fats, meaning it just accumulates.
Isaac's condition was noticed during his six-weeks check-up - his doctor noticed he was still jaundice and had very yellow in the eyes.
He was sent for blood tests, which confirmed his condition and he was rushed to Sydney before undergoing the first of his operations to have a shunt inserted.
The couple were told at some stage Isaac would need a liver transplant and that happened last Thursday, October 24.
After 13 hours in theatre, little Issac emerged with a new liver and over the past couple of days has continued to improve.
"It's been extremely stressful," Mr Clark said.
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"The stress and emotions we went through while he was in theatre."
Family and friends started a fundraising campaign to help the couple, for things like medications.
Little Isaac will be taking up to 12 medications a day - day in day out.
He will also be in hospital for up to a month before going home and then will have to undergo appointments twice a week to Westmead Children's Hospital for check-ups.
It is hoped someone might be able to help the couple by donating a car.
"This is Peta's first child," Brad said.
"She's endured countless trips to hospitals be it Randwick or Westmead since he was six-weeks-old.
"We've both been on one hell of a roller coaster ride this year.
"If not a car maybe a house, as we live in a two-bedroom unit and it's just too small."
A Facebook fundraising page has been established. In five days, 67 people have donated $3598.
"Isaac still has a long road ahead," Brad said.
"But so far he's going alright. But we would certainly welcome any help or support."
In July the Nowra-Albatross Vikings Australian Football Club, of which Brad was a founding member and long-time Nowra Blues player, held a special fundraising event.
Coinciding with the AFL NSW/ACT R U OK? Round the Vikings held a special family fundraising day in aid of the Clark family at its home ground, West Street Oval.
If you would like to make a donation search for Isaac's Personal Emergency Fundraiser on Facebook.