Little Girl Thrives after Transplant

On Easter Sunday, Sherwin and Maite Sanchez-Mendoza arrived at the Ronald McDonald House with their year and a half old daughter Alana. Alana was in need of a liver transplant and both her parents were possible donors. Yale New Haven Hospital set up a battery of tests to determine the best match. Maite was chosen and preparation  began.

But the battle to get to this point was no easy matter. The Sanchez- Mendozas journey began in their home of Puerto Rico. From birth, Alana had a serious medical condition called Biliary Atresia. This illness created a problem for Alana by blocking the conduits of her liver. The doctors in Puerto Rico kept a close eye on her. Eventually, Maite and Sherwin were able to see Dr. Sukru Emre, an expert in adult and pediatric liver transplantation during one of his bi-annual visits to Puerto Rico to see liver patients. Dr. Emre oversees the activities of the Yale-New Haven Transplantation Center and its multidisciplinary group of physicians and caregivers and is section chief of transplant surgery and immunology in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Emre works closely with the Government of Puerto Rico’s Catastrophic Fund to send liver failure patients to Yale to receive a transplant or bypass surgery.

The family and doctor met and discussed Alana’s case. It was decided that Alana was a candidate for a liver transplant. Upon Dr. Emre’s return to Yale New Haven Hospital, The Sanchez-Mendoza Family began to plan for their trip to Connecticut. Maite tried to obtain an authorization letter from Alana’s local physician which would enable Alana to become part of the Catastrophic Program and be sent to Yale for treatment, but was initially turned down because Alana was not considered sick enough for a transplant. Maite then saw another doctor and was able to appeal to the Catastrophic Fund directly for Alana to be approved. After many months of back and forth communication and Alana’s deteriorating condition, Maite finally achieved her goal.

With the pre-operative work completed, Alana and Maite entered the hospital and underwent surgery. Maite and Alana both responded extremely well to the procedures and began healing quickly. Within 2 weeks, mother and daughter were once again back at the Ronald McDonald House for recuperation. Upon arrival at the House, we greeted a completely new Alana. She was full of life and laughter. She began to walk and quickly run throughout the House. One could always find Sherwin trying to catch up with his daughter’s new found strength and energy. Before long, all were in top health and ready to return to their lives in Puerto Rico.

Sherwin, Maite and Alana’s long and stressful journey had been completed.  Since returning home, Alana has continued to thrive.