小児肝臓移植から9年経過して。
（この記事が、現在不安を抱えている方の全てに届きますように。）3月は感謝の月。**March is a Month of Gratitude.**One of our twin daughters was born with a severe illness. At just 10 weeks old, her condition was discovered, and she underwent immediate abdominal surgery the next day. They told us it was "partially successful," but she remained fragile—unable to walk until she was 18 months old. Her skin, eyes, and teeth were all yellow with jaundice. Her limbs were thin, while her belly was swollen. Her skin was so delicate that even the slightest scratch would cause her to bleed. It was a cycle of drinking/eating and vomiting. I will never forget the pain of being told that if left untreated, she wouldn’t survive past the age of two.難病で生まれた双子の片割れは、10週目で病気が見つかり翌日に即開腹手術。部分的に成功したと言われたけど身体は弱く、18ヶ月まで歩く事もできなかった。皮膚も目も歯も全部黄疸が出ていて、手足も痩せ細ってお腹だけぷっくり出て、皮膚も弱くちょっとかすっただけなのに血で溢れた。食べれば吐くの繰り返し。放っておくと2歳まで生きられないと言われた時の辛さは今でも忘れられない。She spent most of her early life in the hospital. Just before she turned three, her condition worsened, and she underwent her first liver transplant. When we were told that the transplant had failed, I broke down in tears, crying out in her hospital room without caring who saw me.ほぼ病院で生活していた娘だけど、とうとう数値が悪くなり3歳手前で1回目の肝臓移植。それが失敗だと聞かされた時は、人目を憚らず病室で泣き叫んだ。Six weeks later, she had her second transplant. After the surgery, we were told that she couldn't go outside for three months. If she could survive for a year, her chances of long-term survival would be much higher. We followed every precaution, determined to keep her safe. At one point, she had to take medication almost 20 times a day.それから6週間後に2回目の移植。移植後3ヶ月は外出禁止、1年もてばその後の生存率は高いと言われ、必死で守った。薬の数も一日20回はあったと思う。Her recovery was slow but steady. In kindergarten, even running was a struggle. She had to be hospitalized for months due to transplant rejection. When she started primary school, she was still behind physically, and her academic level was about a year behind her peers. But she was an incredibly determined child. No matter how slow she was, she had the patience and focus to see things through to the end.そこからは、幼稚園の頃は走るのもやっとだったり、移植の拒絶反応が出て数ヶ月入院したりはあったけど、ゆっくり確実に回復していった。小学校に入る頃にはまだ身体的にも遅れがあったし学力も一年ほど遅れていた。ただ、ものすごい頑張る子だった。勉強も運動も、遅くても最後までやり遂げる忍耐力や集中力は備わっていた。By third grade, she had finally caught up with her peers. Soon after, she began to shine—placing in the top ranks for cross-country, getting selected as a track athlete, and showing her growing strength. And now, nine years after her transplant, she plays basketball, cricket, and lacrosse at a competitive level. When she was chosen as her school’s House Captain, I couldn’t hold back my emotions—I was overwhelmed with gratitude and pride.そして小学校3年生ぐらいにはやっと周りに追いつき、そこからはクロスカントリーで上位に入ったり、陸上選手に選ばれたりと、活躍が目立つようになった。そしてそして移植から9年経った今、バスケやクリケットやラクロスで活躍できるほどの能力がついた。学校でハウスキャプテンに選出された時は、感動と感謝の気持ちが抑えきれなかった。To her twin sister, who has been by her side every step of the way.To our youngest, who brought endless smiles to the Jones family when we were struggling.To our family, who supported us throughout her battle.To my high school friends and the Japanese community staff, who folded a thousand paper cranes and prayed for her.To my best friends, who wrote heartfelt messages on a card and sent them to us.To the friends who cooked and brought us meals during our hospital stays.To those who continuously encouraged us with warm words.To the incredible doctors and nurses at the Royal Children’s Hospital.And to the two donors who gave my daughter a future, and their families (I am beyond words grateful).… And to all the friends and their families who are now sharing this wonderful time with my daughters—I want to shout out a huge **THANK YOU** to each and every one of you! There are no words to express how grateful I am for your presence in our lives.ずっと側で支えてくれていた双子の片割れ、ちょっと凹んでいたジョーンズ家に沢山の笑顔を運んでくれた末っ子、闘病中に支えてくれた家族、千羽鶴を折って祈ってくれた高校時代の友人やジャパニージーのスタッフ、色紙に頑張れメッセージを書いて送ってくれた親友、入院中によくご飯を作って持ってきてくれた友達、温かい言葉で励まし続けてくれた友人達、王立子ども病院のドクターやナース、娘に未来を与えてくれたドナーのお二人とそのご家族、そして今この時を娘達と一緒に青春してくれてる友達やその家族全員に、大声でありがとうと言いたい！皆さんの存在には感謝しかない。We will never forget this gratitude, and as always, we will keep bringing the energy!私たち家族はこの感謝の気持ちを決して忘れず、これからもご期待通りはじけます！Arigato#vivsunjaz
