Scripps Health - All News for Organ and Cell Transplantation

Liver Transplant Gives Man a Second Chance at Life

2011-12-22T11:52:33-08:00

Growing up in Thermal, California, Richard Perez looked forward to buying a new comic book with his small allowance every time he visited the grocery store. Heroes like Batman, the X-Men, and Sub-Mariner inspired him with their strength and accomplishment – and may have influenced his choice to become what many would consider a modern day hero. After serving in the U.S. Marines, where he saw heavy combat in the first Gulf War, Richard most recently has worked with high school-age foster children through his job as a case manager at San Pasquale Academy.

But on October 13, 2011, Richard found a new focus for his courage and determination. That morning, he became Scripps Green Hospital's 500th liver transplant patient. From now on, he says, his mission is getting back to normal following a difficult battle with a deadly enemy: liver disease.

The journey to transplant

Richard’s journey began in January 2011 when he was admitted to another hospital through the emergency department. Weighing 55 pounds more than normal and experiencing debilitating hip pain, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and, in a surprising turn of events, cirrhosis. Richard discovered that the extra weight he had been carrying was all retained fluid, which is a side effect of liver disease. Cirrhosis is considered the final stage of liver disease; the condition is not reversible and would require a transplant.

After transferring to Scripps Green Hospital, Richard’s worsening pneumonia required eight days on life support in the intensive care unit. While he recovered enough to go home within two weeks, he was re-admitted eight times in the next six months due to complications from his liver disease. Then in early October, worsening liver failure sent him back to the hospital for what could have been the last time.

“The doctors told us if we were praying people, now would be the time to start praying,” says Sam Scarpelli, Richard’s partner of 12 years. “I knew if he didn’t get a transplant, he would never come home again. On the 12th of that month, they told me Richard had no more than two to six weeks left. So I went to the chapel and I asked for the transplant. But I also told God, if it wasn’t meant to be, just to take Richard home. Seeing him suffer was awful.”

Fifteen minutes after Sam returned to Richard’s room from the chapel, three physicians entered the room and said, “There is a donor liver. It’s a good match.”

Strength in recovery

Richard had much to be thankful for during the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday, which fell five weeks after his transplant. Although he was still sore and had lost nearly 60 pounds from his normally muscular frame, he was hard at work getting back to the life he loves. He continues his weekly visits to Scripps Clinic to check his blood work and adjust his medication levels, and he’s working to regain his strength and mobility with the help of physical therapists from Scripps Home Health Care.

“Richard was our 500th liver transplant, a milestone we’re proud of because it signifies 500 lives saved,” says Scripps transplant surgeon Jonathan Fisher, MD. “But what’s more important than that statistic is that Richard should be back to doing what he loves within a year. One person at a time, we’re helping people like Richard get their lives back, and it’s incredibly gratifying.”

Dr. Fisher says he is happy with Richard’s progress and emphasizes that liver failure can be the result of risk factors that aren’t widely recognized.

“One of the problems with liver disease is that many people, like Richard, do not realize they have it until they are very, very sick,” he says. “Fatty liver and other liver conditions can arise just from being overweight, or from things they did years ago. I’ve had patients who take prescription medications that wreak havoc with the liver, and many people don’t realize that even over-the-counter pain reliever can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening liver problems. If somebody notices unexplained weight gain, fatigue, memory loss, or jaundice and has any of the risk factors for liver disease, they should see their primary care physician and be evaluated.”

Superhero qualities

Today, the comic book collection Richard began as a child has grown to more than 1,000 issues. “It’s hard to say who my favorite character is,” he says, taking a long moment to consider the question seriously. “I think maybe it’s Sub-Mariner. He’s like Aquaman—a prince of Atlantis – so sure of himself, so independent, so determined. I just love his style.”

Sam says some of those same qualities are now helping Richard work hard on his postsurgical rehabilitation. “He’s so stubborn…it’s the Marine in him, I think,” Sam jokes.

Richard’s short-term goal is to get healthy, get his strength back, and get back to working with his San Pasquale Academy students. “Working with those kids is the most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” he says.

Both Richard and Sam say they wish they could personally express both their sympathy and endless gratitude to the family of Richard’s donor. “I know somebody lost a loved one that day,” says Sam, “and we are so sorry for their loss. We hope they know that. And at the same time, we are profoundly grateful that they gave us the chance to keep our family together. To us, they are true heroes.”

To learn more about Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation, please call 858-554-4310.

Living Kidney Transplant Transforms Two Lives

2011-10-20T14:07:34-07:00

Scripps is one of Southern California’s premier transplant centers and has provided living kidney and liver transplants to patients such as Mike Sedgwick for more than 20 years. Mike, a pastor, received a living kidney donation from one of his congregation members, Gary Wasserman, after receiving dialysis treatments for more than four years.

Learn more about how Scripps is transforming medicine.

Making Waves with Living Kidney Donation at Scripps

2011-09-16T14:46:56-07:00

Mike Sedgwick knew something was wrong when he was bumped to the front of the line in the emergency room. His ankles were swollen, his head ached and his heart was racing.

That night, after learning his kidneys were failing, he joined thousands of others across the country waiting for a kidney donation.

Sedgwick received dialysis treatments six days a week for more than four years. He devoted himself to his family and to his role as pastor at La Jolla Presbyterian Church, always hoping for the transplant that would save his life.

What happened next was a form of divine intervention. Gary Wasserman learned that Sedgwick — the man his children admired from their youth group — needed a kidney transplant. Wasserman stepped forward to begin the donation process and passed each screening test with flying colors.

“Who better to help than someone who significantly impacts the lives of others, including my own children?” says Wasserman. “I knew it was the right thing to do and never looked back. There’s no better feeling.”

On Sept. 14, 2010, Wasserman and Sedgwick arrived at Scripps Green Hospital for their transplant surgery, led by Scripps physicians Dr. Randolph Schaffer, Dr. Jonathan Fisher, Dr. Christopher Marsh and Dr. James Rice. After the successful surgeries, Sedgwick woke up with a healthy kidney.

“I feel so much better now, it’s like night and day,” says Sedgwick. “I can play with my boys now and go surfing again. This is what makes life so good — spending time with family and friends, doing what you love.”

The Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation at Scripps Green Hospital is one of Southern California’s premier transplant centers. For more than 20 years, Scripps has provided expert care to people in need of life-saving organ transplants. Scripps performs living kidney and liver transplants.

“A living organ donation does not change the donor’s life expectancy, and the risk of complications is extremely small for the donor,” says Dr. Schaffer. “Most patients resume their normal activities within a couple of weeks.”

Living kidney donation is preferred to receiving an organ from a deceased donor. Living donor organs generally last longer, and there’s no need for a waiting list.

Sedgwick, Wasserman and their Scripps doctors will be honored during pregame ceremonies Sept. 27 at Petco Park.

Scripps has been the official health care provider to the Padres since 1981. To find a Scripps physician, call 1-800-SCRIPPS.

Kidney Recipient Experiences the Miracle of Life Twice

2010-03-01T14:33:10-08:00

As a child, Kate S. had to learn about a disease most adults can’t even pronounce. The condition, called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), causes excess protein in the urine and reduces the kidney’s ability to filter wastes. From her diagnosis at age four until her kidneys failed at age 33, Kate couldn’t get her symptoms under control no matter what treatments she tried.

After she experienced kidney failure and required peritoneal dialysis for 10 hours every night, Kate began researching transplant centers so she could be added to the waiting list for a new kidney.

“I originally started the process for getting listed at a hospital in Orange County, but wasn’t happy with my experience,” said Kate. “The coordination of care was inefficient, and I was nervous about their one-size-fits-all treatment protocol for my condition.”

When Kate first learned about Scripps Center for Organ & Cell Transplantation in San Diego, she scheduled an appointment to learn more about their program and was pleasantly surprised by how thorough and friendly the staff was.

“I could tell that everyone from the transplant coordinators to the schedulers took my situation personally, like I was more than just a number,” said Kate. “And I was impressed by my personal consultation with the transplant surgeon, Dr. Marsh. He was very calming, did a very thorough history, and considered my individual situation before determining a treatment protocol. It was very refreshing.”

Dr. Christopher Marsh, chief of transplant surgery, remembers that Kate was excited about Scripps’ steroid-free protocol, particularly because her specific type of FSGS is steroid-resistant.

“The nice thing about our program is that we’re small, meaning we can take the time to get to know our patients in detail,” said Dr. Marsh. “While this obviously benefits our patients, it’s also a bonus for the physicians and staff because our donors and recipients essentially become part of the family.”

Kate didn’t have to wait long on the transplant waiting list because her boyfriend, Michael, volunteered to donate one of his kidneys and, after extensive testing, was found to be a suitable match.

After battling such a serious disease for three decades, Kate’s life changed dramatically in January 2007. “I woke up in the ICU the morning after the transplant, and immediately felt better than I had in years,” said Kate. “Now, three years later, I’ve had no medical issues related to the transplant and I’m feeling great.”

Kate and Michael turned out to be a good match in more ways than one. The summer following their transplant surgery the couple got engaged, and then married a year later.
During that time Kate continued her visits to Scripps Center for Organ & Cell Transplantation for routine post-transplant care, including regular check-ups with Dr. Daniel Salomon. Then, after two years of marriage and several consultations with Dr. Salomon about the risks associated with pregnancy following transplant, Kate and Michael conceived their first child.

“Although it’s possible for women to have a successful pregnancy following a kidney transplant, it is considered high-risk,” said Kate. Both her obstetrician and Dr. Salomon followed Kate’s pregnancy closely, and carefully monitored her transplant medications and doses as well as her blood pressure and kidney function. With the exception of mild pre-eclampsia in her third trimester, the pregnancy was uncomplicated.

Kate and Michael’s son was born full-term and healthy in the fall of 2009, and the couple says they couldn’t possibly feel more blessed. “A couple of years ago I wasn’t even sure I was going to live, and now I’m married to the man who gave me a kidney and we have a child together,” said Kate. “It’s miraculous.”

“I’m not sure how different my life would be now, had I gone somewhere else for my transplant,” Kate added. “I’m grateful to Scripps for providing such personal care, and for caring about me more than they cared about their statistics. For that, my family and I will always be grateful.”

Friends Forge a Lasting Bond Through Kidney Donation

2009-12-17T15:47:19-08:00

For some people, the term “friend” refers to someone with whom they share mutual interests or enjoy spending time with. For others, a friend is someone they trust and respect, someone to confide in when they’re upset or worried.

Marian H. had always felt fortunate to be surrounded by people who she considered friends; the kind of people who would give her a ride to work if she was having car trouble, or treat her to dinner on her birthday. But it wasn’t until 2008, when she was facing the possibility that her kidneys would fail while waiting for a transplant, did the mother of three realize just how strong a bond can exist between two people.

The slow march toward dialysis

At age 28, Marian was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic condition that affected her late father and was also inherited by three of her four siblings. Although PKD progresses slowly, it can cause numerous complications ranging from high blood pressure and anemia, to kidney stones and eventual kidney failure.

In 2007, at age 53, Marian initiated the process of getting placed on the kidney transplant waiting list at Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation. Two of her siblings had already required and received transplants, and Marian’s health had reached the point where she could soon require dialysis for the rest of her life.

“With kidney disease, you have the option to continue living thanks to dialysis,” said Marian. “But dialysis takes a huge toll on your time and your lifestyle, and I wasn’t going to give in without a fight.”

Marian was aware of the sobering statistics: there are thousands more people waiting for a kidney transplant than there are kidneys available. But if she could find a living person willing to donate a kidney, she could dramatically reduce her time spent waiting for a kidney from a deceased donor.

Armed with that knowledge, Marian sent a letter to her friends and family to update them on her health and her need for a new kidney, and to educate them about the process for becoming a living donor.

And then she waited.

Compelled to help

Holly A. has known Marian since high school. Over the years the pair kept in touch, sometimes more frequently than others as they lived in different cities and were busy raising their children. In 1996 Holly moved back to San Diego, and over time she and Marian became quite close as they started kayaking or walking together weekly.

Upon receiving Marian’s letter about her need for a new kidney, Holly called Scripps to find out more about the living donor process.

“I knew that I wanted to help Marian, but I also knew it was a decision that required a lot of thought,” said Holly. “I did some research on the risks associated with giving up a kidney, everything from the surgery itself to how living with one kidney would affect my lifestyle. But in the end, despite any risks, I just felt called to donate.”

Although Holly started the process for becoming a living donor in July 2008, she didn’t tell Marian.

“I was afraid to give Marian false hope, in case the donation fell through,” she said. “I didn’t want her to feel crushed if for some reason I was found to be an unsuitable match.”

For the next three months Holly went through an extensive work-up by the Scripps transplant team to ensure she was a suitable candidate.

“We have to make sure all potential donors are not only medically and physically eligible, but also emotionally ready,” said Amy Knight, transplant supervisor with Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation. “Medically we want to make sure the patient will do well through surgery and then be able to live with only one kidney. We want to make absolutely certain that they can follow a healthy lifestyle after donating, that they have a support system in place to help care for them following surgery – and perhaps most importantly, that they truly want to be an organ donor.”

In October 2008, Holly received official confirmation that she was a suitable match. Only then did she surprise Marian with the news: her wait for a new kidney was almost over.

A second chance at life

On March 3, 2009, Marian realized just how priceless friendship can be. On that day, her friend gave her more than just a functioning kidney – she gave her restored health and quality of life.

Both women were discharged from the hospital less than five days after their transplant surgery. And less than three months later, the two took a trip to the Hawaiian island of Kauai to celebrate their recovery.

“I donated a kidney in March, and by August I felt like I was 100 percent back to normal,” said Holly. “My lifestyle hasn’t changed at all. I still run and kayak, I still swim and surf. I have no regrets – if I had to do it all over again, I definitely would.”

Barring any problems with rejection or other health issues, odds are that Marian’s new kidney will last roughly 20 years – well into her 70s – even though she continues to live with PKD.

“No words can express my appreciation for the gift Holly gave,” said Marian. “She made an amazingly brave decision, and in my mind she’s more than just a friend. She’s a hero.”

A Priceless Gift: Living Organ Donors Give of Themselves

2009-12-08T16:38:51-08:00

Karny Stefan was relaxing at home, watching a movie, when she received the e-mail that would change her life – and save Jeff Wilson’s. The e-mail was from Christy Wilson, a business colleague who Karny knew distantly through her job as CEO of Walden Family Services. Christy’s husband of 23 years, Jeff, urgently needed a kidney transplant. He would not survive long enough to make it to the top of the transplant list, so the Wilsons were looking for a living donor.

As Karny considered this request, the next line in the movie was, “You know, I was pretty close to your grandfather. I do have one of his kidneys.”

“I thought, you have got to be kidding me,” Karny recalls. “I knew then that I had to do it.”

Eight months later, Jeff Wilson received one of Karny’s kidneys.

Searching for a donor
At age 60, Jeff Wilson had a trifecta of problems that led to kidney failure: age, high blood pressure and diabetes. Moreover, with type O negative blood, Jeff could donate to anyone, but could receive organs only from a type O donor. These factors combined to put him 7 to 10 years out on the transplant wait list – and with less than 10 percent of his kidney function remaining, Jeff couldn’t wait that long.

“There are two types of kidney donors, cadaveric and living, and there are not enough cadaveric donors available to meet the need for donations,” explains Christopher Marsh, MD,, chief of transplant surgery at Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation. “And, as the incidence of chronic kidney disease continues to grow among the U.S. population, so does the waiting list.”

The Wilsons felt the only logical step was to try to find a donor on their own. Christy, executive director of the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation and a member of Circle of Life 100 at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, embarked on a massive e-mail campaign, sending out a request for volunteers to everyone she knew.

“We got a hundred or so e-mails from people telling us that they would help if they were the right blood type or didn’t have family who might require a kidney from them one day,” recalls Christy. “But we only had four serious donors step forward – two who ultimately felt that they should keep their kidneys for their children, and one who never really began the testing because Karny stepped forward and was so sure that she was to be the donor.”

“I have my husband back”
There are six genetic markers that, ideally, will match between donor and recipient. One is considered a good match. Jeff and Karny had three. Dr. Marsh and the Scripps transplant team performed the transplant in April of 2009. Jeff spent about four days in the hospital. Karny’s kidney was removed laparoscopically; she was in the hospital for just two days, but the change she saw in Jeff was immediate.

“The morning after surgery, I asked a friend to take me to the intensive care unit. I saw Jeff and our faces just lit up. It was the first time I had ever seen color in his face,” Karny recalls, tearing up. “And, Christy looked at me and said, ‘I have my husband back,’ and that was the best part.”

Today, Jeff works out at the gym, spends time with friends, serves on the Community Advisory Board for Scripps Encinitas, and is looking forward to college football games and trips with his wife. And Karny? Because she had to lose about 10 pounds before the transplant, her kidney function is actually better with one kidney than it was with two.

Living donors needed
Last year, Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation performed 30 kidney transplants; seven kidneys were from living donors. So far this year, there have been eight living donors. The program also performs liver, living liver, and pancreas transplants.

“Living donors are usually family members, so this was unusual in that someone donated out of pure altruism,” says Dr. Marsh. “If more people stepped forward like this, we could substantially increase transplants and reduce the waiting list. People need to know that they can donate a kidney and still have normal function for the rest of their lives.”

Karny is living proof that live donors can give organs and still function as well – or better – than before.

“I think what people need to know is that it’s very easy. There is a lot of testing, but the actual surgery is easy,” she says. “I don’t have children, I’m healthy, I didn’t have any reason not to do this. And, I think there are a lot of people like me. Why wouldn’t you?”

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Scripps Event to Celebrate Transplant Recipients and Donors

2009-11-03T09:26:13-08:00

La Jolla – Scripps Center for Organ & Cell Transplantation will host its annual “Thanks-for-Giving” party for transplant recipients and living donors on Friday, November 6 at the La Jolla Marriott, located at 4240 La Jolla Village Drive.

More than 350 former patients, living donors, and family members of deceased donors will attend the celebration from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Special recognition for living donors who have graciously donated a kidney or portion of their liver will take place at 7:30 p.m.

“We hold this event every year in order to honor those who received the gift of life after their long battle with illness, and those heroes who selflessly gave a part of themselves in order to save another human being,” said Michelle Roberts, transplant center director.

“As caregivers, we often struggle with the statistics – every month 3,700 more people are added to the organ wait list, and every day 18 more people die waiting to be called for a transplant. However it’s important for us, especially during this time of Thanksgiving, to take one night out of the year to celebrate life and show our gratitude to our patients and donors.”

Scripps Center for Organ & Cell Transplantation is one of Southern California’s premiere transplant centers, providing life-saving liver, kidney and pancreas transplants as well as numerous clinical trials designed to discover new treatment options and better transplant methods.

About Scripps Health

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a $2 billion nonprofit community health system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps cares for half-a-million patients annually through the dedication of 2,600 affiliated physicians and 12,700 plus employees. It includes five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, and an ambulatory care network of clinics, physician offices and outpatient centers.

Recognized as a leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research and graduate medical education. In 2008, Scripps committed more than $150 million in capital and facility improvements across the San Diego region while providing significant charity care to the community – more than $268 million in uncompensated care in 2008. Scripps Health Foundation generated $46 million in charitable donations in 2008 to support the Scripps mission.

Contact: Tania Masherah
Phone: 858-652-5521
Email: masherah.tania@scrippshealth.org

Son Gives Dad a Lifesaving Gift

2009-04-27T12:15:02-07:00

In 2001, San Diego veteran John Quesenberry knew something was wrong with his health. While organizing a reunion for the unit he served with during his first of two tours in Vietnam, the retired military officer felt like he had hit a wall.

“I was in my mid 50s and tired all the time,” he said. “My energy levels fluctuated drastically. I felt sick—and I looked sick. People told me my skin appeared yellowish-gray.”

Shortly after the reunion, John went to Scripps Clinic in San Diego and was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), an inherited disorder characterized by the growth of cysts in the kidneys. His mom also had the disease. According to the National Institutes of Health, PKD is among the leading causes of kidney failure. About 600,000 people in the United States have it. Symptoms often do not crop up until middle age.

The slow erosion

Over the next few years, PKD eroded John’s quality of life. Formerly athletic and active, he felt mentally and physically challenged.

“Stress made it all worse,” said the former helicopter pilot. “In addition to losing my health, I lost my temper and my sense of humor.”

By 2008, John’s kidney function had deteriorated. He underwent dialysis, a procedure used to provide an artificial replacement for lost renal function. It temporarily staved off the symptoms of PKD, but was far from a permanent solution. John needed a new kidney. Both his niece and one of his children offered to donate one.

Because of the close familial tie, John’s son, Chris, a then 42-year-old father of four, was the most suitable match. His organ was the least likely to be rejected. However, Chris’ decision to donate a kidney required careful consideration.

If one parent has PKD, there is a 50 percent chance that the disease gene will pass to a child. Potentially, Chris or his kids could develop the condition – and need the same lifeline his dad required. Knowing the facts, John’s son chose to proceed. Just days before Easter of 2008, the pair had simultaneous surgeries at Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation in La Jolla, Calif.

A new lease on life

“The transplant was a rebirth for me,” said John.

A bout with the flu made Chris’ recovery challenging. His resilience prevailed. Eight months after giving his dad a kidney, he ran the Philadelphia Marathon in under four hours.

John Quesenberry isn’t running races, but he is walking briskly around his neighborhood in University City with renewed energy. Approaching retirement, he is enjoying his new lease on life, his 10 grandchildren and expressing gratitude for the great care he received at Scripps. When he tells the story about the lifesaving donation he received from his benevolent son, tears bead in John’s eyes—and he beams.

“I am very proud and awestruck at the gift he gave me. It changed my life drastically,” he said. “Organ donation is the most selfless thing someone can do for another person. I will forever be grateful.”