Transplant Patient Stories
- Heart
- Heart & Kidney
- Heart-Kidney-Liver
- Islet Cell
- Kidney
- Kidney Donation
- Kidney & Liver
- Kidney & Pancreas
- Liver
- Lung
Heart
Collaborating to Fix a Broken Heart
On Christmas Eve 2009, Glenn Bovard and his wife were celebrating near their home in Valparaiso, Ind., when Bovard suffered a massive heart attack. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and then transferred to the University of Chicago Medicine, where he received a ventricular assist device (VAD) and later a heart transplant. He still chokes up recalling coming around following his transplant, "I could feel the heart beat; it was amazing."
Heart Transplant Recipient Gives Back to Those That Saved His Life
Following a massive heart attack, Michigan construction worker Larry Bybee received a heart transplant on his 50th birthday. In 2009, he served as grand marshal for the University of Chicago's team at the downtown Chicago American Heart Association Heart Walk.
Heart Transplant Reunion: A Time to Celebrate a Second Chance at Life
Two years after Larry Matthews had a heart transplant, he realized his dream of becoming a firefighter. Matthews, as well as many other transplant recipients, their families, transplant physicians and staff celebrated the gift of organ donation at the annual heart transplant reunion. Also in attendance were people awaiting transplant surgery.
Heart & Kidney
Heart and Kidney Transplant: Kenneth's Story
After being turned down for transplant by six different hospitals, Kenneth Woodka looked to the University of Chicago Medicine for help. Soon after he arrived, Kenneth had a successful heart-kidney transplant. Video included.
Heart-Kidney-Liver
Michael: Triple Transplant Recipient Is Going Strong Several Years After Surgery
Years after receiving a rare heart-kidney-liver transplant, Michael Gaynor is active and feels more energetic than he did at half his age. Here he shares his experiences and his commitment to helping people cope with life before and after transplant.
Triple Transplant Surgery Gives Man a New Shot at Life
Darryl Williams is the 10th person in the United States--and the fourth at the University of Chicago--to have a successful heart, liver and kidney transplant.
Islet Cell
When a Virus Doesn't Just Cause a Cold
A virus may have triggered diabetes in Joey Knoop when her immune system turned against her own cells at age 17. She spent 25 years experiencing severe blood sugar spikes and crashes. After having an islet cell transplant our medical center, Knoop's diabetes is under control, and she no longer needs insulin injections.
Woman Breaks Free from Insulin--and Constant Fear
Susan Cuthbert came to Chicago from England to participate in a clinical trial for type 1 diabetes. After undergoing a unique, non-surgical procedure, she no longer needs insulin or experiences hypoglycemic unawareness episodes.
Kidney
Two-Time Kidney Transplant Recipient Goes for Gold in Sports, Life
For Mike Henderson, being a two-time kidney transplant recipient, has affected his physical health, career choice and leisure time in what Henderson calls his "wonderful journey."
Retired Teacher Still Winning Medals at Transplant Games
After her living-donor kidney transplant in 1991, Nancy Mackrola began competing in the Transplant Games, an Olympic-style event for athletes who have received life-saving organ transplants. Since then, Mackrola has competed nationally and internationally, winning more than a dozen medals, and even setting a world record.
Carmen's Pre-Transplant Experience
Carmen is a recipient of a deceased donor kidney. This is her account of what she went through while waiting for her transplant.
Mark: A Living Organ Recipient's Account of the Pre-Transplant Experience
Mark kept a journal from the time he learned he had kidney failure until the time his transplant surgery was scheduled. Mark's brother, Jeff, donated a kidney to him.
Kidney Donation
Jeff: A Living Donor's Experience
Jeff describes what he went through when donating a kidney to his brother, Mark.
Kidney & Liver
Virginia's Kidney and Liver Transplant Experience
Virginia suffered kidney and liver failure as a result of polycystic kidney disease. This genetic disease causes numerous cysts to grown in the kidney. Other organs, including the liver, can also be affected.
Kidney & Pancreas
Debbie's Post-Transplant Experience
Debbie has received two kidney transplants and three pancreas transplants. Here she shares her post-transplant experiences.
Sam's Transplant Surgery Experience
Sam, a kidney-pancreas recipient, shares his surgery and hospital experience.
Liver
A Medical First, 20 Years Later
In 1989, Alyssa Smith received a portion of her mother's liver in the world's first successful living-donor liver transplant. Catch up with Alyssa and her mother and donor, Teri Smith, as well as members of the surgical team that performed this groundbreaking procedure. Learn about how plans to perform this life-saving procedure were set in motion, and how this experience changed the Smith family, the University of Chicago Medicine, and transplant science.
Woman Donates Part of Liver to Co-Worker's Daughter
Catherine Ortiz donated part of her liver to Raquel Allen, the 11-month-old daughter of a co-worker. Baby Raquel's surgery went well, and she celebrated her first birthday at Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago. Our blog, Science Life, followed Raquel's journey before, during and after transplant in a three-part series that features video interviews with Ortiz, Raquel's parents, and surgeons from the University of Chicago Medicine. Video included.
Patricia's Post-Transplant Experience
Patricia waited three and a half years for a deceased donor liver after being diagnosed with advanced autoimmune hepatitis. Patricia shares some of what she went through during the post-transplant period.
Family Travels More Thank 7,000 Miles for Father-to-Son Liver Transplant
Two-year-old Humaid Alsayegh needed a liver transplant to overcome cholestatic liver disease, a condition that blocked the flow of bile in his liver and stunted his growth. His father, Omran, was a good match for donation, but only after he shed 100 lbs. In a few short months, Omran reached his weight-loss goal and the family traveled to Chicago from the United Arab Emirates for the life-saving procedure.
William's Pre-Transplant Experience
William is a recipient of a deceased donor liver. Here, William describes what he went through while waiting for his transplant.
Living Up to the Promise of Living-Donor Transplant Surgery
Liver transplants today don’t make the front-page news as did the pioneering transplant efforts at the University of Chicago two decades ago. But for Shannon Hickey, one of the earliest patients to undergo the groundbreaking living-donor procedure, the news is still all good. Each year, Shannon and her family mark the anniversary of her transplant surgery by celebrating life, giving thanks and giving back.
Lung
Transplant Patient Finds Friendship with Donor Family
Wanda Samuel was facing a grim prognosis. A debilitating case of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) made it nearly impossible for her to breathe on her own. After receiving a lifesaving organ donation from a young girl, Samuel reached out to thank the donor's family for giving her a second chance at life.
