Danielle’s Story

Hi … my name is Danielle and I would like to tell my story.

On October 30, 2003, I donated my liver to my father at NYU transplant center to my father. My father is my best friend and my first love as all fathers are to their little girls.

I was more than prepared to donate my liver to my father. I did all the necessary research, I assured him he and I would be okay, and I trusted fully in the doctors who would do the transplant.

Well, today is December 13th. I am home recovering and my father never made it home. He got a staph infection and has not been able to breathe on his own to this day. I am afraid that the day will come where I will have to make the decision to remove him from the ventilator. I can’t tell you how beside myself that I really am. I miss my dad so much that it tears me apart inside. The chances of something happening after the transplant to the recipient are so great I don’t think that anyone really realizes that at the moment of deciding to donate because you are so desperate to save a loved one’s life out of pure unconditional love. I can’t honestly say I would have done anything different. And, as it turns out, he would not have lived long without my liver donation but the pain remains the same. I have to say that I truly encourage people to give living donation a chance even though at the moment my story is unsuccessful……

My dad is really fighting hard to make it but the truth of the matter is without modern equipment he would not be here today. I pray everyday for a Christmas miracle. Ironically, his liver is working perfectly. It’s a staph infection from a bile duct leak that is taking his life at the moment. My dad is only 60 years old. He lived a hard life, and I really need all the prayers I can get from everyone out there to get him off this ventilator and home. I don’t care if it takes me the rest of my life, I will make him walk and talk again. I will take care of him always. I can’t bear the thought of losing him and wearing this scar for the rest of my life knowing that we could have had many more years together. I would do just about anything at this point, but what can I do? It’s in God’s hands now so I pray. Can you pray for him too? His name is Dominic, and he’s a father, a grandfather, a husband, and a good person.

I know that usually only success stories are put up but in this case can you make an exception? I really need it. I will keep you posted of his progress.

Again, I encourage living donation. It does work for the most part. We were just the unfortunate ones at the moment. Maybe with faith and love I can pull him through. That’s what I am betting on right about now.

Thank you, Danielle