Double transplant boy doing 'well'

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A year after becoming the first Kiwi child to undergo a double transplant, Christchurch boy Jesse Pycroft is back at school and doing "well".

On November 19 last year, the 12-year-old, who suffers from the rare condition primary hyperoxaluria underwent a 23-hour liver and kidney transplant in Auckland.

His mother, Fay Pycroft, said she could not believe a year had passed since the operation, and that she appreciated everyone's help with Jesse.

"He's just done so well. He's come through everything. He's at school three days a week.

"He's up with everything, even though he's missed so much school.

"We're hoping things will just get better and better," she said.

Jesse, who returned to Christchurch in May, said the best thing about school was his "friends" and that he felt "OK now".

He said he was looking forward to a "holiday" and Christmas.

Fay Pycroft said Jesse was still quite thin. "It's [his appetite] slowly coming back, and he gets cravings," Pycroft said.

Jesse has had three serious infections since the operation and still has trouble with his liver. He will go to Auckland next week for a minor surgery to have a drain in his liver replaced.

Jesse has also lost hearing in one ear.

However, his mother was "hoping everything will come right with Jesse, so I can get back to work next year".

"We've living on one person's wage and we haven't been on a holiday in three years," she said. "Jesse's hoping, and praying, Father Christmas will bring one."

- © Fairfax NZ News