DOTHAN, Alabama (WDHN)— A long-awaited milestone has finally arrived for Noah Hallford and his family: the Dothan infant has successfully undergone a liver transplant after enduring numerous medical challenges.
Noah’s mother, Shelby, expressed her relief and gratitude, stating, "The surgery went flawlessly; it felt miraculous. Without it, Noah wouldn’t be here today."
Since his birth, Noah has battled biliary atresia, a rare and serious liver condition that obstructs the bile ducts. Over the past several months, the Hallford family faced countless doctor appointments, including a trip to Pittsburgh to secure Noah’s place on the transplant waiting list.
On June 18, an unexpected phone call brought hope while Shelby was preparing for her own surgery. "I was in pre-op when I received the news: ‘You won’t believe this! Call Jesse and tell him to grab Noah and come; it’s a perfect match!’" Shelby recalled.
Just seven hours post-call, the transplant was a success. Despite a nerve-racking wait, the Hallfords are overjoyed with Noah’s recovery and progress. "They removed the tube, allowed him to eat, and he hasn’t stopped since. It’s like we have a new baby," Shelby said.
As the family celebrates this huge achievement, they are mindful of the generous sacrifice made by another family to make Noah’s surgery possible. Shelby hopes to connect with them, expressing, "I can’t imagine what we would say other than thank you—and I’m so sorry. We’ve been in their shoes, scared of losing our child."
While Noah’s recovery is going well, he will face certain lifestyle changes moving forward. "He’ll need to take medication to suppress his immune system, so his body doesn’t reject the new liver."
Regardless of the challenges ahead, the Hallfords are resolving to meet them head-on. For now, their focus is simply on bringing their baby home to Dothan.