Transplant Helps Sung Yong Triumph Over Liver Cancer
When Sung Yong came to the University of Chicago Medical Center in January 2006, he was nearly hopeless.
Yong suffered from hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer, and other doctors said his tumors were so large he couldn't get a transplant unless he could find a living donor -- a very rare possibility.
"Me and my wife were really down," recalled Yong, a 56-year-old vice president of a local direct marketing company. "It was a nightmare."
Friends and doctors urged him to seek another opinion at the University of Chicago Medical Center, because of its stellar reputation.
During Yong's first visit, he met Giuliano Testa, MD, director of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery. He immediately trusted Testa.
Yong recalled Testa saying, "People come to me and a lot of times I want to help them, but I can't because it's too late. You're 55, you're still young. I don't see major health problems with you. I want to help you."
Yong and his wife, ardent Christians, had been praying every day for God to send a doctor who could save his life. He said his prayers came true that day.
Normally, if a patient's tumors are too large, he won't qualify to receive a transplant organ. However, Testa recommended that Yong try the marginal donor program, which uses organs that are not considered to be ideal for transplant. But, some surgeons believe the organs have a fair chance of working in selected candidates.
"The tumor was only on the liver," Testa said. "He is young and strong. I think he's entitled to a chance."
But, Yong's insurance company refused to cover the operation because it was experimental.
University of Chicago doctors set up a special meeting with his insurance company.
"It's common to aggressively pursue our patients' interests with the insurance companies," Testa said.
The insurance company approved the procedure two weeks later.
"I was so thankful and grateful," Yong said.
Yong put his name on the marginal donor list in February 2006 and expected to wait at least a year for an organ. But he found a new liver in just a month.
"It was a gift from God," Yong said.
The surgery took about six hours and was successful.
During Yong's recovery, he witnessed the hard work of the doctors and nurses and gained a deep respect for them.
Yong recalled a young Korean anesthesiologist, Jason Chi, MD, who prepared him for surgery and then visited him every day during his recovery. When Yong was transferred to a different wing of the hospital, Chi showed up to visit again a few days later.
"You were gone, but I found you," Chi told him.
Yong said, "I thanked God who gave me a chance to meet these great doctors and nurses who really care about their patients. The whole team, it was like family."
It's now been more than a year since Yong's transplant.
"I give a sincere thanks to Dr. Testa and everyone involved in my transplant," Yong said. "Without them, I may not be here today."
"I'm glad he doesn't have a recurrence of a tumor," Testa said. "(One year) is a good landmark."
Yong said, "I've been telling everyone I know, 'Go to the University of Chicago Medical Center.'"
