 Alannah Shevenell, 9, speaks to a reporter at her home in Hollis, Maine, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Alannah returned home Wednesday afternoon, three months after receiving six new organs in a groundbreaking operation. Doctors at Children?s Hospital Boston replaced Alannah Shevenell?s stomach, liver, spleen, small intestine, pancreas and a portion of her esophagus in October. It?s believed to be the first-ever transplant of an esophagus and the largest number of organs transplanted at one time in Ne
|
Maine girl bouncing back after 6-organ transplant
03/02/2012 3:57:00 AM
Clarke Canfield, The Associated Press
HOLLIS, Maine - A 9-year-old Maine girl is home after undergoing a transplant of six organs to remove a tumour that was spreading throughout her abdomen.
Doctors at Children's Hospital Boston replaced Alannah Shevenell's (SHEV'-uh-nehl) stomach, liver, spleen, small intestine, pancreas and a portion of her esophagus in October.
It's believed to be the first-ever transplant of an esophagus and the largest number of organs transplanted at one time in New England.
The surgery was necessary to remove a massive and rare cancerous tumour that was overtaking her organs and closing in on her heart.
The spunky, bright-eyed girl returned Wednesday to her home in Hollis and is enjoying sledding and her scrapbooks.