Long test for liver-swap Bethany

Lorry driver dad Tim Dawson took a rare break from his bedside vigil with Bethany and her mother Nikki to speak to the Express & Star about his daughter. Mr Dawson described the last three weeks as "horrible" and said months of uncertainty lay ahead.

Bethany was rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital on December 16 for the life-saving liver and bowel transplant operation which lasted for 12 hours.

Since then complications with the swelling of the organs and space in her body for the new liver and bowel have meant Bethany has had to endure five operations including three on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Mr Dawson, who has been forced to take a leave of absence from his job to be at his daughter's side said: "Christmas has been horrible in one sense because we have not been able to hold our daughter. She is sedated 24 hours a day because the doctors haven't been able to close her wounds up.

"We also feel sorry for the people who have lost their own son or daughter who was the donor for Bethany."

He added: "We are at Bethany's bedside every day and are trying to stay positive. We know Bethany is going to be in hospital for a good few months, at least until April and that's if everything goes right."

He said Bethany's body could still reject the organs at any time including years in the future and that she would have to live with this for the rest of her life.

The couple have put their lives on hold and are now living at the hospital but whatever happens Mr Dawson said he and Nikki would continue with Bethany's Sunshine Fund which they set up to help families in similar situations.

He added: "There are lots of other people in the same situation as us so although Bethany has got her transplant it is really important people register as organ donors and blood donors.

"We also want to thank you to the doctors and nurses, we will never complain about the NHS, it's fantastic in our eyes."