Yellowknife (Mar 03/06) - Fourteen-year-old Tessa Moss has had problems with her liver for the past year and after many surgeries, she finds herself waiting in an Edmonton hospital for a much needed transplant.

Tessa Moss, 14, is waiting in Edmonton for a liver transplant. She first noticed problems with her liver in April 2005, and has undergone many surgeries. A fundraiser at the Raven Pub Saturday will help pay for her parents to be with her. - photo courtesy of Gary Moss

"We're just playing the waiting game now," said her father, Gary Moss.

The father said this would have been a lot harder on the family if not for the support of those around him.

"I want to thank the fundraisers and people who have given what they could for my family," Gary said.

A fundraiser to help is at the Raven Pub, Saturday 3-9 p.m., to raise funds to offset the costs to allow Gary and Tessa's mom Marcia Moss to be with Tessa in Edmonton.

The Yellowknife girl first noticed problems in April 2005, when she started to feel discomfort in her stomach.

"Doctors first thought it was liver cancer," Gary Moss said.

Tests showed a rare disorder called "polycythemia ruba vera," which produces too many red blood cells.

The ruba vera then caused clotting of blood in a major vein in her liver, also known as Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Because her veins were not pumping blood as normal, Edmonton doctors implanted an artificial vein in her liver, also known as a shunt.

After the April surgery, and three months of recovery, Tessa was back in Yellowknife.

Complications with the shunt caused another trip to Edmonton in November.

Doctors tried a vein transplant, and used a vein from her kidney to connect the liver with her bloodstream.

After so many surgeries, Tessa's liver started to show signs of failure, and she was placed on a donor's list for a new one.

On Jan. 16, she was officially placed on the list, and is waiting for a type-B liver.

"She's been in the transplant ward since then," said Gary.

Tessa gets daily trips out of the hospital and spends most of her day with family.

"Her condition is treatable, and it is under control," said Gary.

Tessa could be back home in Yellowknife in about nine months.

"She's with her mother right now, in Edmonton, and I plan on being back there soon," said Gary.

Sheila Pruden is the Moss' next door neighbour, and is a long-time family friend.

Pruden said that Tessa is a very good person, and is always willing to help others in need. "She's been through so much, but she is a very strong person," said Pruden. "She is a very smart and sweet girl."

Tessa's father hopes to see his girl out of the hospital, because she spent her last birthday and Christmas within the walls of the doctor's care.

"She has been getting great treatment from doctors here and Yellowknife."