13 yr old Desperately Needs Liver Transplant (Post, Howe: home, university, living)

[perticusrex]

http://www.kens5.com/news/Rickys-Chr...111706914.html

[follie]

Not being in "perfect" health, I'm not in the running, but I wanted to post the essential information for others:

Dr. Almeda said there is little risk to donating a liver.
"The good thing about donating part of your liver, especially to a kid, it's a small portion and that liver regenerates. So in six weeks, your liver will be back to 80 percent of its size," Almeda said.

In order to help, doctors say you must be between the age of 20 to 50 years old, in perfect health
and with a blood type O.

You can call the Living Donor Department at University Hospital at 210-567-5777 or 210-567-0995.

[majormadmax]

There's a happy ending to this story, Ricky got his liver transplant last week, and came home from the hospital Friday afternoon to spend Christmas with his family!

Post transplant, teen's recovery makes local Christmas miracle

"It's a really good feeling," Ricky said. "I don't know how to explain it. It's like, joyful."

Right now Ricky's is still healing from the operation and his immune system is still weak. He will have to take medication for the rest of his life, but doctors say his progress so far is remarkable.

There's also a video at that link!

Merry Christmas, Ricky, get well soon!

Cheers! M2

[RodLu]

I saw on the news that he got it. To be honest, I sensed that he most likely would not get it when I first heard about his plight some days ago.....but good thing it all panned-out well for this youngster.......

[melowout]

How wonderful! At 13 years old, to know and feel the value of life to this extent! This young man was given a gift of life, something many, many people take for granted. I hope he will always know the value of that gift and never forget, as so many others have.

[KimM]

I am so glad to hear he got his new liver! Do they know who the donor was? I am also on the liver transplant list. However I am not able to have a living donor! Just wanted to say thank you to all of you who are donors! Your are true heros

[majormadmax]

Best of luck to you, I hope they find a donor for you soon!

Having been an organ donor my entire adult life, I like the idea that some of my remains can be "recycled" to save someone else's life. It's not like I'll be needing them anymore...

Cheers! M2