The Medical Care Hero: An Insight into a Pathologist’s Day – Part 1

Author:  Dr. O. Adeyi

Mr. John Marshall is a middle-aged man who received a liver transplant more than a year ago. His own liver had failed after many years of fighting an infection with hepatitis C (HCV) virus. He has had to queue up on the waiting list for more than a year before he was called up one late night for a liver transplant – a night of mixed emotions for John and Cheryl, his wife, as well as Danielle, their 23-year old daughter. The fact that an organ was finally available for John was a cause for relief, especially since Cheryl and Danielle had previously been disqualified as live donors.

Before this night and several months earlier, the pathologist had examined a biopsy from Cheryl and thought it unsuitable to consider for live donation. On the pathologist’s advice, the transplant team announced to Cheryl she was not in a position to be John’s donor.

As a result, Cheryl has had to begin dietary and exercise regimen of her own. Despite strong protests from John, Danielle was willing to step forward as a live donor after Cheryl was no longer an option – however, Danielle was a few months pregnant. Any decision on Danielle would therefore have to wait a while.  Unfortunately, “a while” was a luxury John couldn’t afford and the family felt helpless as they watched John’s abdomen swell and his muscle waste away.

Just a few years back, John had dreamed of celebrating his 60^th birthday that would coincide with their 25^th wedding anniversary, both now only 15 months away.  There was only one way to save John’s life: a liver transplant.

So the call to John on this late night was a happy occasion, but mixed feelings were unavoidable.

Will the surgery be successful?

Will the liver from the unfortunate young man who had just died in a tragic motorcar accident work?

Will John be a “typical” recipient expected to experience the miracle of liver transplant and enjoy a new lease on life?d

Or will he be in the 1-5 % that has an adverse outcome that might include death?

Stay tuned for Part 2…