Liver Transplant December 23, 2008

   In this week’s health alert we meet an incredible woman, Lauren.  During what should have been one of the most exciting times of her life, she found herself fighting for her life.  After giving birth to her daughter, her liver ruptured in two places and her kidneys failed.  While her daughter went home, Lauren stayed in the hospital for months, waiting for a transplant. A suitable donor wasn’t found so doctors took a chance on a liver that wasn’t her blood type. It worked.  But only temporarily.  A second donor had to be found to keep Lauren alive. Incredibly, that donor was found. 

      Lauren has not only survived the double transplant, she’s thrived.  She competed in the U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, winning the silver medal in tennis.  She now wants to go back and beat the woman who won the gold!  In between training for that, Lauren has dedicated her life to raising money and awareness for other transplant recipients.  Her and her husband have started an annual golf tournament that has raised over $45,ooo so far.  She says she’ll never forget that two strangers and their families made a decision that saved her life.

     Up next for Lauren, a trip to California.  She won an essay contest and will now be front and center on the ‘Donate Life’ float in the Rose Bowl parade next month.

     Happy 2009 Lauren and family.  You’ve earned the right to celebrate.

Epilepsy study December 9, 2008

  In this week’s health alert we look at a new experimental epilepsy therapy that is helping people who suffer with seizures.  Deep brain stimulation therapy of D-B-S electrically stimulates the brain where seizures originate.  The device implanted in a person’s chest sends rapid fire electrical signals to the brain through electrodes wired into the scalp.

  The man featured in our story had virtually lost everything in his life because of chronic epileptic seizures.  He couldn’t work, take care of himself, or maintain relationships.  This experimental therapy helped reduce the seizures by two-thirds.  He used to have seizures two or three times a week.  Now he has them once or twice a month.

  The five year study into the therapy is ongoing and was paid for by the company that manufactures the device.  The study findings were just released to neurologists.

   For the man we featured, it has been a life saver.  He is able to travel again and visit his grandkids.