August 19, 2014

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A pediatrician sees hundreds of patients a year. Some stick out in their mind more than others, but for Dr. Michael Bishop, pediatrician at Texas Children’s Pediatrics Grand Parkway, the Stovall family is one that he will never forget.

Last year, while on vacation in Galveston, Bishop experienced shortness of breath which prompted his wife to drive him back to Houston for immediate evaluation. Following a week in the hospital with more questions than answers, he was diagnosed with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a rare genetic disease that affects kidney function. Once diagnosed, Bishop was given both oral and IV medication, but dialysis four nights per week also was required due to the failure of his kidneys to recover from the illness.

Shortly after the diagnosis, his daughters started a Facebook page to raise awareness about aHUS and the importance of kidney donation. Because the disease is genetic, none of his family members were able to donate, thus the need to broadly share his story. Patients at his practice started asking about the Facebook page and how they could help.

“The support from my patients and their families was overwhelming,” said Bishop. “I believe that I have been blessed by God to be given the privilege of taking care of children and their families. I never thought I’d receive the greatest gift of all from one of them.”

Jennifer Kennedy-Stovall’s three sons have been patients of Bishop’s since they were born. Now 10, eight and four, the boys are frequent visitors to Texas Children’s Pediatrics Grand Parkway whether for a well-child check-up or an acute illness. Bishop had been out of the office during a few of the Stovall boys’ visits and Jennifer wondered if he was battling a serious health issue. When the family saw Bishop during their next visit, they noticed that he just wasn’t the same – he wasn’t cracking jokes, he was more introverted and more than just the physical changes that occurred since his diagnosis, his personality had changed as well. Bishop shared the news of his diagnosis and his need for a kidney. Kennedy-Stovall walked out of the room and had a feeling.

“I walked out of the room and knew that I had to do something to help,” said Kennedy-Stovall. “I began the living donor kidney screening process that day.”

Kennedy-Stovall went through four rounds of intense screening to determine if she was a match for Bishop. Through blood tests, numerous blood pressure screenings, medical history reports, scans, x-rays and consultations with a nephrologist and social worker, Kennedy-Stovall found out that she was a match.

“When I found out I was a match, my husband and I didn’t hesitate,” Kennedy-Stovall recalls. “I felt like this was something I had to do from the moment Dr. Bishop told me he needed a transplant and I couldn’t have been happier to do this for him.”

Ironically, Kennedy-Stovall and one of her sons had a visit scheduled for the next day with Bishop. She went to the appointment not knowing if he had heard the news yet. She asked if he had any news to share and Bishop said there was testing ongoing, but that no match had yet been reported to him. Little did he know that, momentarily, she told him that she was going to be his living donor.

The families prepared, and the surgery was scheduled. The surgery was successful for Bishop and Kennedy-Stovall, and their recoveries were seamless. On July 16, Bishop celebrated his one year transplant anniversary and is thriving. The Bishops and Stovall families have grown incredibly close through their journey, oftentimes sharing lengthy family dinners together.

“I can’t believe it’s been a year,” said Bishop. “So many thoughts come to mind, but unpayable gratitude is at the top of the list. My patients are my second family, and they mean a lot to me. I’m so proud that I can come back to the practice and continue to do what I love because of this unbelievable gift from Jennifer and her family.”

August 5, 2014

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Riki Graves was already fighting a battle when she found out, at 20-weeks pregnant, that her unborn daughter, whom her and her husband, Chris, planned to name Juliana, had a complex heart condition, with the full and final diagnosis listed as, unbalanced AV canal with severe bivetnricular dysfunction, small arotic arch, severe right AV valve regurgitation, parachute left sided AV valve with regurgitation in heart failure. Juliana would likely need several heart surgeries, and even with the surgeries might not survive.

Riki describes how she felt when she received the devastating diagnosis, “Hearing those words sent a panic through me that, even now, is hard to describe. After the initial diagnosis, my doctor referred us to the Texas Children’s Fetal Center.”

Riki’s journey actually began at 8-weeks pregnant, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Riki made the painful choice to pause treatment while still pregnant, fully understanding that it may make her own battle more difficult.

“It was an extremely difficult and highly personal decision. In the end I wanted to provide my daughter with the strongest pregnancy and healthiest beginning to life possible. During that time there was a lot of things out of my control, but with my treatment, I was able to take the reigns, make a decision to provide for my baby,” said Riki.

When Riki presented at the Fetal Center, it appeared that her unborn daughter would likely require three heart surgeries – the Norwood, Glen and Fontan. But, as the pregnancy neared the end it became unclear what surgeries could be expected when Juliana was born.

Christie Moran was the Fetal Center coordinator who cared for the Riki. She developed a special bond with the family, “Mrs. Graves pregnancy was further complicated by the fact she had been diagnosed with breast cancer during this pregnancy. Either diagnosis during pregnancy can be challenging to manage but the combination made Riki’s case very unique. I felt very privileged to help guide them through this pregnancy, to provide information, to give support and to offer hope.”

Riki’s team of doctors at the Fetal Center continued to monitor her pregnancy very closely. Dr. Wesley Lee, co-director Dr. Nancy Ayres, director or non-invasive imaging and fetal cardiology at the Fetal Center, were among the multi-disciplinary team that cared for Riki during her pregnancy.

Juliana was born on April 9, 2014 and, it was determined that her heart was too structurally abnormal and weak to undergo surgery. Juliana was placed on the transplant list on April 21. On April 26, at 17 days old, she received her new heart.

Dr. Jeffrey Heinle, associate chief of Congenital Heart Surgery led the transplant surgery. Juliana’s transplant surgery was a success, and she is recovering smoothly. Since the transplant, Dr. Aamir Jeewa, pediatric cardiologist, has been following Juliana and working with the Graves to provide them with continuous, ongoing care. The Graves family is relocating from Corpus Christie to Houston to be closer to Texas Children’s, and Riki is currently undergoing treatment for her cancer at M.D. Anderson, staying positive and hopeful for the future.

Riki reflects on her time at Texas Children’s, “We made it with the help of the staff of Texas Children’s Hospital. From my maternal-fetal doctor Dr. Ramirez, who was beyond supportive, to our fetal cardiology nurse coordinator Christie Moran, who helped us get settled in Houston, to all of the doctors, fellows and nurses that helped us get through, we can’t thank them enough. They were there for Juliana and my family during the entire process.”

To read more about the Graves, please visit the Today Show or ABC News websites.

July 22, 2014

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Houston has its share of sporting events but hosting the Transplant Games of America was particularly special for Texas Children’s. As one of the lead sponsors, the hospital supported the games by promoting them, encouraging employees to volunteer, as well as organizing participation by patients. President & CEO Mark A. Wallace joined other leaders from the medical center at the opening ceremonies to carry out the official game flag that had traveled the country and been signed by transplant donors and recipients.

For Liver Transplant Coordinator Sarah Koohmaraie, the Transplant Games of America was a very special event. Koohmaraie was participating for herself, her father and her patients. To know how much this means to Koohmaraie, you would have to go back a few years.

In December of 2007, a little more than a week after graduating from nursing school, Koohmaraie went into surgery. Just months before that day, she found out her father was in need of a kidney transplant. While he was hesitant to let his daughter be the donor, Koohmaraie said she insisted.

“I kind of went behind his back and got tests done and made sure it would work out,” said Koohmaraie. “I knew I wanted to be the donor.”

The transplant was a success and a couple of months later, Koohmaraie was back at the hospital, this time as a transplant nurse. She moved to Houston in 2012 and began her position as a transplant coordinator at Texas Children’s. She said when she found out through work that some patients were participating in the transplant games, she knew she wanted to join them. She felt the camaraderie as she participated in all of the events.

“It was neat to see all of these patients who could have been on death’s door and now they’re doing exactly what I’m doing,” said Koohmaraie. “It was also nice to have my dad out there cheering me on and getting to meet other recipients.”

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Team Texas consisted of 300 participants, patients and donors from across the state, including many former Texas Children’s patients, who took part in athletic competition and raised awareness for organ donations. The team had an impressive 450 registered supporters. The oldest participant from Texas was 83 year-old John Cugini and Parson Blue Herrington was the youngest at just two years old. The event brings to light the need for organ donors and brings together transplant patients, donors and families from all over the country. Forty-four teams and thousands of participants competed for gold this year with some states combining to form a more robust team. The games take place every year, going to the world stage in the World Transplant Games every other year.

“It was nice to raise awareness for donation, every one of those people out there wouldn’t have been able to be out there if someone didn’t donate,” said Koohmaraie. “You got to see people who were once very ill and now athletically fit with someone else’s organ in them and you would never know it.”

Team Texas brought home around 104 medals with 63 gold, 26 silver and 15 bronze. Koohmaraie competed in the Cycling 5k and 20K as well as the 1500 meter. She came home with the gold in all three.

See the photo gallery from the Transplant Games of America pep rally below.