Transplant victim loses brain function
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li ...@aol.com (Lili2)
By EMERY P. DALESIO, ***ociated Press Writer DURHAM, N.C. - The teenage girl who was put through two heart-lung transplants because the first set of organs didn't match her blood type had lost all brain activity Saturday, and blood was no longer flowing to her brain, a hospital spokesman said.
The hospital had not yet declared Jesica Santillan brain dead, but her family was meeting with doctors to discuss the next step.
Duke University Medical Center spokesman Richard Puff said Saturday that tests had found blood was no longer flowing to the 17-year-old's brain and no brain activity was registering. He has said the time frame to declare brain death can take up to 24 hours after brain activity ends.
Though the newest organs, transplanted Thursday's into Jesica's small body, were performing well, her brain began swelling and bleeding shortly after surgery.
"The swelling in her brain is severe, severe to the point we fear it's irreversible," Dr. Karen Frush, the hospital's medical director of children's services, said Friday.
Jesica had been in a coma since the first transplant Feb. 7, when her body rejected the donor organs that didn't match her O-positive blood. Her health continued to deteriorate, and by the time a matching donor was found and the new organs transplanted, her condition was critical.
Frush said Friday there was no sure way to tell when the brain damage occurred.
But Mack Mahoney, a family friend and Jesica's chief benefactor, said doctors told the family it was due to the time Jesica was connected to life support.
"Life support ruins kidneys, it ruins brains, it ruins all the organs of the body," he said.
Jesica's mother, Magdalena Santillan, said at a news conference Friday night that she believed hospital officials were not telling her the full story. She said then that she wasn't ready to remove her daughter from life support.
Jesica had a heart deformity that kept her lungs from getting oxygen into her blood. Relatives have said her family paid a smuggler to bring them from their small town near Guadalajara, Mexico, to the United States so she could get medical care.
In the first operation, Dr. James Jaggers implanted organs from a donor with type A blood that were incompatible with Jesica's O-positive blood.
Hospital chief executive Dr. William Fulkerson said Jaggers wrongly ***umed compatibility had been confirmed when he was offered the organs, and later failed to double-check that ***umption, a violation of the hospital's procedures.
Duke officials explained the error in a letter sent Friday to the United Network for Organ Sharing, which matches patients with donated organs.
The letter was signed by Fulkerson and Dr. Duane Davis, surgical director of Duke's lung transplant program. They said Jaggers declined the organs for one patient who was not ready for transplant and asked Carolina Donor Services, an organ procurement organization, whether they were available for Jesica.
CDS officials checked the data and called back, offering the organs to Davis, who declined because they were the wrong size for his patient. The organs were then offered to Jaggers for Jesica, the letter said.
Mahoney, a building contractor who started a charity in Jesica's name, complained that image-conscious doctors hesitated to take the blame for the bungled operation and lost precious time in the hunt for new organs.
"If she dies, they murdered her," he said.
Fulkerson pointed out that the second set of organs was found "in days" ??” under two weeks, compared to the three years Jesica had spent on a waiting list before the first operation.
"I think we have been honest and forthcoming with Jesica's family about her medical care every step of the way and we have accepted the responsibility publicly," he said.
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zapa ...@aol.comSPAMLESS (ZAPatty)
Your comp***ion is overwhelming.
atl ...@webtv.net (maryanne kehoe)
Just because the girl was from Mexico does NOT make her an "illegal"----in fact, in any story I have read about this, their INS status was never discussed.
"nimue" cup_o_ca...@yahoo.com
She died, you know. I don't know if she was illegal, and I don't care. I am more than happy to see my tax dollars used to try to help sick children -- I don't care what nationality they are. Furthermore, if this family is illegal, and took all the necessary risks it takes to get here, than I am even more impressed with them, with their love for their child, and their willingness to do anything to help her. This is a tragic story, and I don't know why you are so inhuman. Doesn't the horrible suffering this girl and her family endured touch you at all? You are the one who really needs a heart tranplant.
--
nimue we're just put in a set of surroundings and *we* create our world --
but be aware of the permeable limits PDB and nimue
"Aggie" ag...@comwares.net
...
Another comp***ionate conservative.
"nimue" cup_o_ca...@yahoo.com
You can't distinguish between a complete sentence and a sentence fragment, yet you think you are somehow superior to the rest of the world? Why do you think people from other countries want to destroy America? Look -- you are obviously a paranoid, hate-filled, heartless person. Why else would you believe that Jesica and her parents want to destroy America? There is no point in arguing with you, or any of your white-power friends. You will never be able to listen to reason, because your need to hate outweighs everything else. People like you make the world a terrible place.
--
nimue we're just put in a set of surroundings and *we* create our world --
but be aware of the permeable limits PDB and nimue
"nimue" cup_o_ca...@yahoo.com
Perhaps you should get the therapy you so desperately need.
--
nimue we're just put in a set of surroundings and *we* create our world --
but be aware of the permeable limits PDB and nimue
reet ...@aol.com (Reets)
In this case she was. Her family snuck into the US (paid a smuggler some bucks) from Guadalajara 3 years ago. Spent the 3 years panhandling in California, then came into contact with the contractor who paid their way to Duke.
reet ...@aol.com (Reets)
If your AMERICAN child was on a wait list for a transplant, you would very much care if a transplant facility like Duke's let an illegal alien move to the head of the line because someone with money was behind her.
reet ...@aol.com (Reets)
I take it you're also impressed with the 19 Sept 11 hijackers? Sheesh. Shut down our ****ing borders.
"nimue" cup_o_ca...@yahoo.com
Um -- I know you are not too bright, but how on earth can you compare a family trying to save its child with a bunch of terrorists bent on killing as many people as they can? People who are willing to take enormous risks to help those they love impress me. This family didn't want to kill anyone.
You can't compare them to the terrorists. Well -- I guess YOU can, but no one sane could.
--
nimue we're just put in a set of surroundings and *we* create our world --
but be aware of the permeable limits PDB and nimue
reet ...@aol.com (Reets)
So you can tell just by looking at someone who's sneaking across the border whether they're a security risk or not? I'm impressed.
atl ...@webtv.net (maryanne kehoe)
OK, if she *is* illegal, why haven't we heard from INS and their comment in regards to the family?
anim8r ...@aol.comNOSPAM (ANIM8Rfsk)
<< Just because the girl was from Mexico does NOT make her an "illegal"----in fact, in any story I have read about this, their INS status was never discussed. >> Uh, Maryanne, most of the reports mention them being illegal. They paid a smuggler $5000 to get them in so they could get her medical care.
"nimue" cup_o_ca...@yahoo.com
What on earth have the Santillans done to make you think they are security risks? What? Do you think anyone in law enforcement thinks they are potential terrorists? Please.
--
nimue we're just put in a set of surroundings and *we* create our world --
but be aware of the permeable limits PDB and nimue
lvstar ...@aol.com (LVStarman)
Let me start by saying that I have no problem with her receiving the orig.
transplant. Policies allow for non-U.S. citizens to be placed on the lists.
She did wait 3 years too. I feel so sorry for her family and friends. They have my deepest sympathy.
Now, a few things I do have problems with.
One, now lawyers & family members are going to become wealthy from lawsuits regarding this case. I think there should be some compensation to the family for their loss and the hospital and individuals involved with the mix-up should be penalized and/or disciplined. However, no amount of money can replace the life of a child. For lawyers to influence family members to gouge the insurance companies, hospital & individual doctor for ungodly amounts of money is dispicable. It will cost all of us in the long run. The rise in the cost or malpractice insurance will be p***ed on to us by increased doctor and hospital fees. Look at the case of obstetricians here in my state of Nevada and other places in the U.S. who are refusing to take on pregnant patients because of the costs of their malpractice insurance. Emergency room doctors are leaving some hospitals for the same reasons.
Second, I really question the decision to find a second set of organs to transplant. Granted, it was a tragic error, but by the time the 2nd set was obtained (and they beat the odds in even coming up with them in such a short amt. of time), Jesica had been on life support, near death, and was probably at that time a very poor surgical risk anyway. Imagine being the parents of another child on a waiting list, who would have good odds of a successful transplant at this time, who lost that chance when this second set was given as a "last ditch" effort for this girl. By the time another set is found for a child currently on the list, it could be too late for them. I just think the decision to do the 2nd transplant was a way for the hospital to try to save face and say, "look we did all we could to try to save her." In the long run, it could cost the life of yet another child.
These are just my thoughts on the matter.
Frances
extex1 ...@aol.comspam (Extex1013)
The fact that her parents said in various newspapers including the LA Times they snuck over illegally to get her better medical care is fact proof they were illegal.
That however does not alter their status to recieve transplants e One nation under surveillance.
extex1 ...@aol.comspam (Extex1013)
Get a clue bimbo .What happened here on 9/11 has happened everywhere else in the world .
It's just a tragedy now because it affected you.
Get over yourself e One nation under surveillance.
"JustaGuy" Reply2NewsGr...@yoursever.com
transplant. Policies allow for non-U.S. citizens to be placed on the lists.
So at least you see that point of buisness.
Must have taken a great deal of courage to give up a home and friends and surroundings to venture into a country that is so filled with hate for people in their possition.
Ohh Ohh here it goes.
This part you got correct.
This part you have correct also.
For lawyers to This is where you loose credibility. First where do you get off saying that they were influenced? Hells bells have you claiovoience? However with that said. If I was a Parent of such a child, and I knew it was possible to sue for the way she was medically treated then Hell Yes. Sue the pants off of them.
It will cost all Yes it will, untill we all decide NOT to let these Dr's and the H.M.O.'s make unsound decisions.
The rise in the cost or malpractice insurance will be You might start looking at how the medical board in your area slaps the offending medical pratice is only slapped on the wrist for their mistakes.
It's very rare that a Licence is removed due to a ahmmmm "Mixup" and a patient dies as a result.
Would you loose your drivers licence due to a "Mixup" and a pedestrian dies ?
Look at the case of Well then who is to blame. The Dr. who makes a mistake? Or the Insurance cost of keeping that Dr. to continue making a mistake?
I've not heard how long, but I'll take your Honest word it was long past due time.
Imagine being the parents of That's the gut feeling I got, however it's not something I've heard via any repuable news source yet. I do believe it's a good possiblity though.
Good thoughts, however you might retink the finantial costs, as well as the emotional costs of all party's involved.
With all this family has been through, Now the poor parents have to deal with a funeral.
Very sad ending indeed.
J.A.G.
lvstar ...@aol.com (LVStarman)
Yes, it is a very sad ending. I appreciate your comments. I still hold to my feelings on the financial costs. I don't see that we need to make millionaires of this family. It will not offset the emotional cost. I lost a 2yr. old child due to Stephens-Johnsons syndrome. He was in the hospital for 10 days and many people including some nursing friends of mine were surprised when he died. Yes, it can be fatal, but not necessarily. He was recovering, but suddenly took a turn for the worse and died a day later.
When I looked back on it months later, I wondered about a few things that happened that morning, but could not really pinpoint anything. Had we found anything, my husband had talked about recouping some money to help with monetary losses during that time, but would not have gone for the throat financially. We would have wanted, of course, for disciplinary action to have taken place if that had been the case.
Our thoughts are and were - How do you put a dollar amt. on emotional suffering? Yes, they need to have some monetary compensation & this would include covering any psychological help they may need to deal with this. Frances
"nimue" cup_o_ca...@yahoo.com
Man, I am happy to read that! It's nice to know that some people see this family as human, and understand what it must have taken for them to come here. I am impressed with your sensitivity and intelligence.
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nimue we're just put in a set of surroundings and *we* create our world --
but be aware of the permeable limits PDB and nimue
atl ...@webtv.net (maryanne kehoe)
by increased doctor >and hospital fees.
Not if your local Doctor goes on a strike like some did in New Jersey (or was it Pennsylvania?) several months back. Then you won't have to worry about higher hospital fees---because there won't be anyone to staff said hospitals.
Besides, I think the beef that MD's really have is with HMO's----that's been going on for years. Many times, docs do NOT get their full fee from insurance for procedures already performed on a patient. When I was doing MD billing, I had docs resubmit claims because the ins. company I worked for paid as little as 10% of a total hospital bill.
We had a large group practice (out of Piedmont Hospital here in Atlanta) go out of business and the docs interviewed placed the blame squarely on managed care and their "gatekeepers" who decide how much of a bill gets paid, and when.
"JustaGuy" Reply2NewsGr...@yoursever.com
Your welcom, and I do understand how your loss can cloud your thoughts.
I still hold to my Yes Money will never replace the loss of a child. However your using the poor logic that the family will become rich.
When a Lawsuit hasn't even been filed yet or if it will be.
Quite probable yes, but hasn't been yet.
My condolenses. Loss of a loved one is painfull. So I can kinda understand where your comming from.
Sorry I'm not aware of Stephens-Johnsons syndrone. If it's not to painfull maybe you can enlighten us as to what it is.
He was in the later.
Must have been the Longest 10 days of your life. So sorry.
I know it's not easy however it might be wise to make notes.
time you did this, time you did that, time the Dr. said this, time the Dr.
said that. Yes easier said than done. however if possible the notes will help make sence of the time weeks or days later. It's always best to be proactive.
Had we found I take it you choose not to take action. Why ? Was there nothing wrong that went on ?
You appear to have bitterness and so hense my question.
sometimes people just die and it's not due to medical problems not working out.
There is no amount that can change the death of a child.
Glad we can agree on that.
J.A.G. Living with Cancer knowing that there are possible lawsuits I could choose but not suing due to most of the reasons I live are manmade. Mine. I really don't care why I've got it. I made a choice and so I live with it.
lvstar ...@aol.com (LVStarman)
I am sorry to hear that you have cancer. I hope that things are not too difficult for you.
I am not bitter about my son's death. It was many years ago. As I mentioned, I just was not sure about the suddeness of his turnabout. Nothing I could pinpoint. I don't really think about it. It just came up because of this case.
Anyway, I do want to amend my previous opinion. I feel that if all things possible are done by the hospital and doctors to help the family at this point, that the hospital & doctors accept full responsibility and show full remorse then, I would be inclined to not want to see millions of $$s awarded in a lawsuit. Just compensation, but not over th e top for want of a better term. However, from my latest reading of news reports, it said the hospital declared her brain dead at 1:25p.m., then stopped giving her meds to keep her heart beating at 5 p.m. and then turned off the ventilator when her heart stopped 7minutes later. Apparently, the family said they did not know the hospital was going to do this since they did not want her taken off life support until an outside doctor was called in to verify her condition.
Now if this is true, and the family was not informed and given the opportunity to have her evaluated by another doctor and then make a decision to take her off life support, then I would be inclined to say, "the heck with it, sue them for all you can." That kind of behavior after all the family has already been through would be inexcusable.
Frances
anim8r ...@aol.comNOSPAM (ANIM8Rfsk)
<< What on earth have the Santillans done to make you think they are security risks? What? >> They paid someone $5000 to enter the country illegally. That clearly should raise a flag. The fact that we after the fact decided they AREN'T terrorists doesn't mean we should have let them slip through in the first place.
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