A Liver.. and a Life: A Transplant Recipient's Story

" Welcome to our webcast. We're gonna talk about a topic that is becoming more commonplace with increased and improved surgical medical techniques. That is transplant and an organ transplantation we often think of something. That really -- inside stick with me today are two people who know quite a bit about transplantation. I'm a friend and colleague David pearl who worked with me is a liver transplant recipient. And ultrasound technologist at New York presbyterian hospital welcome -- and David let's focus on your story -- a little bit every -- space or because it really is quite. I think -- this just in the past and answer some medical students but I think it's important for people to understand what you went through. Currently here and he ultrasound specialist -- form ultrasound on many people in fact liberal -- sounds great. Armed but that was always the case before -- quite -- I want to go back to the beginning of when you were diagnosed initially but not liver disease but -- intestinal."

" Those little bit about that night at the age of eighteen I was -- his client is innocent. As an autoimmune disease or anybody attacked her on the test and and initially it was just decliners. As they got -- can no longer has. Realized that some of the inflammatory process and worked -- and Milan are. I was packing my -- And I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease close -- on China now how old were you without. I was eighteen years -- eighteen -- died of liver disease or the latest let's decliners on the liver disease and same time. A hospital a disease and a few -- later. I don't know -- and he diagnosed me with those eleven diseased okay. Now disclosing horns artists is called liver disorder what they tell you when you have to diagnose them. Actually day. -- world. Not that really didn't handle it very well within eighteen -- they had told me that they were doing a lot of research and man -- Eight. Now what what happened -- the -- but they had hoped to transplant when he talked. And kind of get me you know my right that sort this what you are we talking about approximately. I think can set and 57 these -- liver transplantation was really just something that people spoke about -- in fact reality at that point right because they hadn't come up with a magic. Drugs and what do -- rejection. And we just didn't kidney transplants at -- heart -- so what happened what happened -- clinically what it comes to develop. I'm with a combination of declines in the liver disease I. Wasn't more. Clothes hung side -- isn't very slow moving disease that -- something that doesn't think. Opponent has -- it works very well that wasn't so much and dedication that would have thousand Rwandans. -- he has a point that the lightest at that point -- Until they got -- on the controllers. More than just a little thing you know three -- weight loss. Trouble eating out. That was it at that point -- and delivery issue become. More of a problem something that was not easily handled. Actually. And they watch and I enzymes as I telecasts and are just sitting here. And that might never enzymes or something bump up and get elevated. And I'd have gone out in Minnesota it's not a male clinic. And look at the -- and Tina and I are uneducated mother. I I was a little. Leery about it. Being transplanted -- on being an immunity I'll come maybe I thought if they can fill the cracks and street had to -- let us. Oh. I came back from then on earth and that's what I did not to mount Sinai and I -- hands looking -- actually is very impressed. -- has handled everything got. And spoken and and I was pretty comfortable and then and actually the day after that a transplant team heading. A clean up to zero -- and what does that mean it means -- vomiting blood I was. Throwing up blood and jacked up -- What is very dangerous it's very easy heatedly death at that point we had never. I'm the medical term is called Paris Hilton of Paris are due to increased pressure in the liver trying to get a lot of waste Lipper. And the way we're wired -- Right around esophagus. And so you had a major life threatening belief that day after in fact you had. This transplant straps are. Now what are we talking about who's December of 91 hashes they have -- Christmas and -- sex. And my wife who who was out he's an -- and sends out a friend who's a doctor Jack. And I just. Just started throwing up blood and I had seen the transplant -- detained -- and I called -- and they actually hoping it can't into the city right now and I and drove. Most among my friends -- only in Manhattan. And it was actually garrison and Rollins was coming. And then. I stabilized and got plenty of times news. Title you've had in my throat. Getting able and I was wearing at that point now how long did you stay -- To a point where you finally did get a liver transplant. IE what is said. Get sick from that -- to bleed until transplant. Candidate come about that you found out you've got a transplant. Once it's something that's aimed at a time where you were really critical portrait -- waited longer. Actually -- I -- the bleach -- one irons and I don't think they wouldn't want it to translate into planned man I'm. They wanted to stabilize and get me I had blood clot in my lungs I was critical. And they had to kind of get you a little bit more stable -- nonetheless -- I don't like -- situation at this point yes yes. And what -- happen -- us and tell you get to let her. It's always that life and death of you can always happen next Lincoln. And then I could be -- line. Do you think that you're going to -- at -- point. -- I thought it was a good. I was -- concern. So what happens I don't know what happened was he. I had gone and I went through these tests on clinic -- the line on every six to eight weeks and my my blood work. I had to go back war has two kids -- wife and how support. I couldn't take home a -- however I think you'll probably -- drawn praise. Probably my -- and tell me all. I had no back door and I went back to work every day wondering I was gonna get a call. Just waiting for a phone call -- Andy spent hoping that the phone and they asked what happened and what happened -- There's a technical they have very every here's -- essential part of this -- has -- serves as analysts on the last I was on -- 9 -- that morning. And it's. They knew that I was near the end and I was actually talk to me days. On the electric announced on network it was a -- is that they had. I was gonna do you don't -- I don't I want to China and kind of raise awareness. I'm. A Japanese -- to donor shortage on and actually delivered -- night. And I went home and actually. Found. Chechens into my birthday actually the phone call occurred on my dark and you know they bring in and that night ending primary means that and then started you know that we -- And I got chance. Clinton and they -- to my -- on my birthday and those -- birthday present. What happened afterwards. And the relative backwards. And hard and probably one of the biggest heart surgeries since. To take as patient. And I was back to work of -- and they -- how well you presbyterian. And now I can't do nothing else sounds limitations -- and that's primarily."

" You've got a transplant beat us. Someone else through someone -- misfortune."

" He talked about perform but does that make you feel on. What is that like. It's actually hard not somebody died during Cabrera. I'm. Glad. You have to understand there's always gonna people be informed. -- sense and -- Americans --"

" pedestrian accidents and bicycle accident and I'm. At that point does nothing that they can do that -- that person's brain -- there is actually in the world cancer recovery that's not a home. Fans and laying there on life support and does nothing that's going to bring her back every all the organs --"

" And I personally buried where. Maryland and that -- saved a life and lives. And on. I feel awful live and -- I'm grateful for their decisions. What has happened here wipes and I know there was quite a blessing Hillary. On as and I went that's organs or non. -- You must have mentioned I was backpacking in upstate New York. And three years and I had a daughter Melanie. And is unbelievable. She's now I have two sons before -- and the -- his charitable. They gave me my eyes and gave me my daughter and let you watch my host and brought -- It's fantastic you know you can never get -- like that. What. Could you or would you say to her family. That was involved in this -- and they're being donor family. -- I I actually written them letters and see her -- was very favorable aren't paying. They knew that they had to -- ignorant and met -- made the -- vision you have a letter with and I have a and being. They're very supportive of mainly -- very happy. That when I'm Hispanic and actually 92 there wasn't as much. I'm -- sisters who Thailand. They circle complete you know -- they stand -- a lot of them are at hand and the donors. Want closure you know they want them now that's the they had made that decision. And they're. It was a good thing to do was the right things. I don't faulty. Part of any that they were gone astray. -- no longer out there. Recovery. -- somebody -- Able to have vanished into terms such tragic thing and that's that hasn't spoken to and somebody benefiting. Hamas and horrible instance where. It's a lose lose situation making it so that. Gambling and we have the Stanley because Clinton slightly when finance slice -- David you want his share of the letter that you I had."

" He has letters that I wrote and this Loretta and I -- I post and didn't bring their replies. That this is printed in the hospital horror activities thing that was sent out there -- We're looking at -- lower Kitna has its hearing."

" And other recipients -- else did donuts and it has been fighting has since allies across and I and apologized for not ranks and her. --"

" You have Stanley -- Darren from within their entire memo nothing no kidding when it lost on March and you --"

" Jamie nice and I will be forever grateful thank you please please please rest assured that I will safeguarding our day if."

" and I hope you can be somewhat confident. By the fact that after artist he's Landler. -- my birthday. Our attention at completely normal alliance. I continue to work enjoyment handling. That they're never day I -- understand our eyes came online and has more on my life press. Is."

" In event line. Got a beautiful appliances and the actors their support at some unbelievable letter. You know how much of us takes so much for granted every single day and one thing I've learned from you David working with that every day to you. Com. You know it's unfortunate that people have to go to these types of things appreciate that component but it is unbelievable. That and we could cost you so much and knowing you're ruined in France and working together. -- how much he did not -- patients who you do the ultrasound arts -- for a liver. Are always amazed when they find out what you yourself or liver recipient. Actually we've been doing a lot more -- a chance. And even come -- house. And usually condoning. DNA and I was and left her. And that's that's -- nice not. They might -- Especially transplanting their mind not being. -- and have their strength and not be doing well at the time and that's very nice -- and kidney patients and I'm. Com and then from the -- sentiment -- not doing well Annan. I'm -- in -- and canonized visitation occasionally and Spirit -- thank you showed us his story. We appreciate our audience joining us very moving story found it hard to imagine that something so tragic. Can be converted to something -- a wonderful and as someone who -- organ at a time when Stanley such grief can really get life. And something that we should all remember keep in mind and cherish our own lives every day I'm doctor mark Richards and thank you for joining us."