Former eduction director Joe Rapai received a liver transplant in November.

'It is the gift of life'

Sat, December 29, 2007

Former eduction director Joe Rapai received a liver transplant in November.

By JOHN MINER, SUN MEDIA
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandRegion/2007/12/29/4744163-sun.html


A former director of education for the London District Catholic school board says a recent liver transplant has given him a whole new life.

"God has blessed me because everything is wonderful. It is a second life," said Joe Rapai, who received his new liver in November.

Rapai, who has been home from University Hospital for two weeks, praised the professionalism of the hospital's multi-organ transplant unit.

"It is the gift of life. I am walking and healing very well."

Rapai said he was aware his liver function was diminishing for the past nine years. About four years ago, he was put on the waiting list for an organ transplant.

The wait was more difficult than going through the actual surgery, he said.

"Your emotions go up and down."

Rapai's contract with the school board expired earlier this year.

He filed a $1 million suit against the board in May, claiming he faced discrimination and harassment related to his disease.

The board has disputed the claim, saying it was unaware he was seriously ill and required a transplant.

Rapai said he received a call from the hospital last summer that a liver was available, but after being admitted to the hospital he was advised the organ wasn't suitable.

"It was really wild, but that is just a part of the waiting period," he said.

Though waiting is difficult, Rapai said people shouldn't be pressured into the decision to donate organs.

Instead, the shortage of organs for donation should be tackled by raising awareness of the life-changing benefits for recipients, he said.

"That comes through education, it doesn't come through legislation."

Now that he has had his transplant, Rapai said he plans to focus on healing and spending time with his family.

He also will be available to encourage people to consider signing organ donor cards so that others will have the same opportunity that he has been given.

"If I can be of some value, I will be the first to be there."

ORGAN TRANSPLANTS Teralynn again awaits new liver and kidneys

ORGAN TRANSPLANTS Teralynn again awaits new liver and kidneys

Teralynn remains on the top of the donor list at the Cleveland Clinic for her weight class.

By ANGIE SCHMITT

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Teralynn Landis McGath's young life has been full of ups and downs.

Diagnosed at 2 months old with a fatal liver disease called tyrosinemia, she underwent three liver transplants before her fourth birthday.

Against all odds, Teralynn survived, defying her doctor's terminal prognosis and becoming the youngest Mahoning Valley resident to undergo an organ transplant.

In October 2006, the 22-year-old was married before a joyful mother and father.

Now her story has taken another turn. She received word in July that both her liver and kidneys are in need of replacement.

After 19 years of use, her liver has succumbed to sclerosis, a form of scarring common in transplant patients. Meanwhile, her kidneys have suffered irreparable damage from anti-organ-rejection medication, according to her mother, Kathy Landis.

"She's been real sick," her mother said. "This whole year she's been in and out of hospitals

The Call

On August 29 th , I received a page and a call from the Transplant Co-ordinator at L.H.S. informing me that a donor liver was available and I should go to U.H. as soon as possible for preparation.

My reaction was that of joy and appreciation. Driving to the hospital a 1000 things came to mind about who I should speak to and what I should do prior to the transplant.

Once at U.H. I was admitted and started to experience emotion about the risk and the changes about to occur to me after the transplant . I was assigned to a bed and the prep began with wonderful staff . I became concerned for my family and what they were experiencing. The Transplant Coordinator was truly professional and I was comforted by her style and concern.

The necessary tests and paperwork began. My Transplant Coordinator was paged and returned to inform me that the Donor liver was not acceptable. She was reassuring and shared my disappointment but I understood that it had to be this way.

I continue to wait after waiting for three years on the list and thank God for every day.

JR

Health Politics

http://www.healthpolitics.org/archives.asp?previous=prog_48&spg=PPC&sky=hgy|goo|organ+transplants

Croatian Ivan Klasnic has finally put pen to paper on a one year contract with Bremen.

The striker, who underwent two kidney transplants earlier in the year, can’t wait to return to first team action. “I feel good and it’s getting better everyday. When I am fully fit I will bring Werder back to the top” he said confidently.

The 27 year old joked, “People are saying Bremen haven’t signed any big stars. Well here is one.”

However he is realistic enough not to expect too much too soon. “Normally people would return to work after 3 months, but with me it’s slightly different. I am a top class athlete.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m back for the fifth game of the season or whether I have to wait for the second half of the season. The main thing is that I return.”

He has been warned by his doctor however of the dangers involved, but Klasnic will be boosted by the fact that other top sportsmen such as Jonah Lomu and Alonzo Mourning have returned to peak performance after organ transplants.