Tuesday, January 22, 2013

9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant

New England area
Nine-year-old Alannah Shevenell recently received a 6-organ transplant. The little girl received a new small intestine, stomach, pancreas, liver, spleen, and part of an esophagus. In doing so, she set a New England-area record for the most organs transplanted at one time.

Alannah's record-setting transplant was necessary, because a rare cancerous growth called an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor had spread it's tentacles throughout her abdomen. The tumor caused swelling, pain, and an inability to eat. Alannah's doctors made two failed surgical attempts to remove the huge tumor. Chemotherapy had failed to rid Allanah of the monster, also. Her only hope for survival was to remove the tumor and all the organs and tissues it had wrapped itself around.

Alanah spent a year waiting on the needed transplant which doctors only gave her a 50% chance of surviving. However, she survived the surgery, despite its complexity, and the great blood loss that went with it. She is now doing well and learning how to adjust to her new routines, such as avoiding crowds and taking numerous medications. After spending three months in the hospital recovering from her transplant surgery, Alannah's just fine with all the adjustments saying that she's happy, "Just being home."

For more information about organ and tissue donation, including how to register as an organ and tissue donor in your area, please visit the Tennessee Organ Donation Foundation's website at https://www.SaveLivesTN.org/ by clicking here.

Read more - today.com article titled "Maine Girl Bouncing Back After 6-Organ Transplant"
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