Making a New Diagnosis
It didn’t take long after Dan’s first visit before it became clear that Dan’s condition involved two organs rather than just one. He met with Cardiologist Kambiz Ghafourian, MD, MPH, and was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital three days later. The rush stemmed from a battery of tests that revealed a new discovery: Dan’s liver was at the root of his heart trouble.
Dan’s condition also resulted in cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. That was a big red flag. If he were to undergo a heart transplant alone, the liver would be also be at risk. Without both procedures, Dan could have died.
Through extensive genetic testing, Dr. Ghafourian concluded that Dan was suffering from amyloidosis, a rare disease in which the liver produces a protein that builds up in the heart. Following the diagnosis, Transplant Hepatologist Lisa B. VanWagner, MD, MSc, and the hepatology team confirmed scarring in the liver. With Dan dangerously approaching double organ failure, the cardiology team and the hepatology team conferred with the heart transplant surgery and the liver transplant surgery team, and it was determined that Dan would need a dual transplantation: heart and liver.
It Took A Team of 200
Dan spent four months in the hospital awaiting his new heart and liver. During that time, more than 200 staff members played a role in his care.
They took care of everything for me. From anxiety to physical therapy to occupational therapy, a dietitian, everything I needed physically and mentally was done beautifully by Northwestern Medicine.
Finally, on his 100th night at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Dan received a 3 a.m. wake-up call from a team physician. The voice on the other line said, “Look out in the hallway.” Standing there were Dan’s surgical team and his wife. It was time.
What makes us better, makes you better.®
Living For His Family
Dan’s successful dual transplant ensured that he would be there for the people who mean the most to him: his family. In fact, while he was recuperating, one of his three daughters gave birth to a bright-eyed grandchild.
Dan is a good person, and his story is amazing. He remained positive throughout the process, and I look forward to seeing him continue to embrace life.
The magnitude of his procedure isn’t lost on Dan, who still corresponds with numerous members of his care team. Whether they knew it or not, while they were saving his life, they were also making a lifelong friend.
This isn’t just about physicians; it’s about our incredible nursing staff, mid-level providers, secretarial staff, medical assistants, social workers, residents, interns, fellows — I’d say over 200 people in our medical system helped him heal.
