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Vienna girl welcomed home after transplant

By Tara Fasol, The Southern

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 11:43 PM CDT

VIENNA - The flashing lights of a Buncombe Fire Department truck led a fleet of 12 vehicles through Johnson County Wednesday afternoon, as a Vienna girl who got a second chance at life was welcomed home.

Kylee Grant is already a year old but parents Jason and Miranda said they are just now getting to know their daughter. The 14-pound infant recently received a liver transplant.

"We've never really met her as far as seeing her as she is healthy," Jason said.

Kylee was born Aug. 23, 2007 and was diagnosed Nov. 3 with biliary atresia - a rare disease of the liver found in infants.

On March 31, Kylee was admitted into Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis, where she waited 117 days, 19 hours, 26 minutes, and 59 seconds for a donor match.

Her father counted down the time they waited to the very second and said he had calculations even more detailed at home.

"We got a call at 2:39 a.m. on Aug. 2 that she had a donor," Jason said.

The surgery to replace the tiny liver took over six hours. Surgeons began the long process at 6 p.m and at 11 p.m. the family was told the transplant was completed. At 11:15 p.m. the parents learned that blood had reached the liver, meaning the surgery appeared to be a success.

"She shouldn't have to have any more surgeries if everything goes good," Jason said.

Wednesday afternoon a crowd gathered in the parking lot of the Blue Funeral Home in Goreville and was escorted through Goreville, Buncombe and Vienna to the family's home.

People stood outside their houses and waved as the cars went by with hazard lights flashing and the roar of sirens. The couple said the various Johnson County communities had supported them through the entirety of their emotionally draining process. Jason said several fundraisers helped to pay for travel expenses and bills.

Kylee's older brother Wyatt, 23 months old, kept a watchful eye on the little girl, just before the cars departed the funeral home. Miranda said he has now become very protective of his little sister and is just as grateful as everyone else to have her back home.

"We are all very grateful," Jason said. "It takes the ultimate sacrifice to get that gift of life."

Miranda said she hopes that the story of her daughter's second chance will prompt others to sign their driver's license and become organ donors.

"There's not enough education out there about it," she said. "It saves lives."

tara.fasol@thesouthern.com/351-5824