Yukon baby released from Edmonton hospital following liver transplant

For youngEmmett Smith, the first eight and a half months of his life have been a challenge. Soon though, life could return to something approaching normal.

Emmett was born with a rare form of liver cancer. Twelve weeks ago, the Carcross child received a liver transplant courtesy of his father Mike.

This week, Emmett was finally released from an Edmonton hospital.

"To be finally out of the hospital," says his mother Charlotte Francis, "that's a relief."

'One-on-one time'

While Emmett's medical situation has improved, the road ahead remains uncertain. For the time being, he'll still have to return to the hospital three days a week for blood work.

"But just to be out of there and not have all these people around constantly, you know, it gives us a bit of a break," Francis said. "He's enjoying it too, a lot of one-on-one time with me."

It looks like Emmett will be able to return home by the end of August. But he'll still have to travel to Edmonton every three months to visit with oncologists and the transplant team.

But, at least, the family will be reunited. Francis has three other children and they spent a lot of time chatting online while she was in Edmonton.

It will also take a load off Mike, who also had to recover from the transplant surgery, she said."He's being dad and mom right now with three kids, but he can't do as much because of the surgery."

'He's just a silly baby'

Francis said she's grateful for all the help and fundraising people in the Yukon have organized for the family. Another one will be held soon, likely Friday, in Carcross."I'm not asking them to do that, they just go and do it," she said."A lot of people haven't even met this little guy and they want to help him."

Hospital staff had grown fond of Emmett and were sad to see him go, Francis said. And like any other baby, Emmett's personality is developing quickly.

"Even though he's been through so much he's still smiling," she said."He's just a silly baby."