Area Residents Getting Second Chance At Life

By MaryAnn Kromer

February 3, 2004

Last fall, Reese Stansbery of Upper Sandusky received a multi-organ transplant - stomach, liver, small intestine and pancreas - at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. Now 20 months old, Reese still weighs less than 10 pounds, but his parents and grandparents say he is "doing just wonderful." He can remain in a sitting position and has started to talk.

"He's got a long way to go, but we get excited over the little stuff," said his mother, Mary Stansbery, in a phone call.

Reese was diagnosed with megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome, a rare disease in which the digestive system is undersized and inadequate to nourish a growing child. The organs from a three-year-old donor had to be trimmed down to fit into Reese's tiny body, but he has responded well to his new anatomy.

"He was released from the hospital the Monday before Christmas. He was able to stay with us for three and a half weeks before he had to go back," Mary said.

Mary, her four year-old, Nathaniel, and her mother, Lynn Burks, have been staying in Pittsburgh in an apartment a short drive from the hospital. Reese adjusted well to the move. The family has been in their temporary home since April, but the doctors won't send Reese back to Ohio just yet.

"He alternates between fluid overload and dehydration," Burks said. "The doctors haven't been able to reach a balance and they want to get it right."

Burks said when Reese is allowed to return to Upper Sandusky, he will be able to get check-ups in Columbus with the doctors who treated him before the surgery. Now, nurses come to the Stansberys' apartment during the week to draw blood and check on the baby.

A definite improvement for Reese is being able to take his medications by mouth, either in liquid or tablet form. He still gets intravenous nourishment from midnight to 6 a.m. and other times as needed.

"He can go for 12 hours without being attached to pumps. We can carry him around, and he's getting to know his brother," Burks said. "He doesn't need injections anymore. He eats a lot, but most of it goes right through. He likes Froot Loops but his favorite food is Pringles."

At this point, a few more days or weeks won't make much difference. The family is just happy to have Reese still with them. Burks said they can't express their gratitude to the parents who gave Reese a second chance by signing the forms to donate their child's organs.

"I'm an organ donor myself and have been for a long time," Burks said. "People need to know the difference they can make. It does do some good. I know we'll always be grateful."

Last Friday, Leonard Risner of Tiffin departed on a life-saving journey. He flew to Nebraska to receive a liver transplant. His daughter, Mysteque Thompson, reported that Risner is doing well so far, with no complications.

In July 2003, Risner was diagnosed with liver cancer. His doctors told him the cause was hepatitis C, possibly contracted when he was in the army, serving in Germany. They also estimated he would only live 4-6 months. By October, Risner was able to get his name on the list for a liver transplant.

"It's a lengthy process," said Mysteque. "There are different lists at OSU, Pittsburgh and other places. The University of Nebraska put him on their list."

A benefit for Risner has been planned for 7:30-11 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Tiffin Knights of Columbus. Appetizers are to be served and door prizes given. Risner's son Axel is a member the band General Eclectic, and the group will play live music at the event.

"We are still having the benefit on Feb. 28 just like planned. ... It will have a much happier tone," Mysteque said. "This is open to anyone who is interested. We will have a 50/50 raffle and other prizes from area businesses. "

Risner had planned to attend the benefit, but now, that is not likely. Donations already have been coming in, especially from "Calvert people," according to Mysteque. Risner had been active in coaching baseball and attending his four children's school sporting events.

Persons who wish to contribute to Len Risner's transplant fund may do so by sending a check to Mysteque Thompson, 8870 Hickory View St., NW, Canal Winchester, OH 43110. Thompson said she has done "a lot of work" to find assistance for her father and would be happy to share any information she has. For details about the benefit or about treatments and resources, call Thompson at 614-834-2939.

Dakota Decker of Findlay is only three years old, but his life is in danger.

The little boy was born with a rare blood disorder, Glanzmann thrombasthenia. Dakota is waiting for a bone marrow transplant that could give him a chance for a normal life. Nick Sayre, Dakota's uncle, explained the effects of the illness on Dakota.

"His blood clots very slowly or not at all, depending on how weak his system is, or how low his blood count is. This means that Dakota could bleed to death from something as simple as a paper cut if not treated with a transfusion quickly enough," Sayre said.

Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati is one of three hospitals in the United States that handles the procedure Dakota needs. Sayre said the hospital is trying to obtain a special apparatus for the surgery. The Children's Organ Transplant Association is assisting Dakota's family. Sayre and his wife have been coordinating fund-raising events to offset the family's expenses.

"Donors have been located and we are just waiting for the call to take him to Cincinnati. We are trying to raise enough money to cover all of the different costs associated with this procedure, costs which are estimated to be near $60,000," Sayre said.

A hog roast dinner has been scheduled for 4-7 p.m. March 13 at First Lutheran Church, 109 Lincoln St., Findlay. Tickets are $6 per person for the meal. Live entertainment and drawings for prizes also are planned. For advance tickets, contact Rhoda via e-mail at rhodasay@msn.com or at 419-420-9738.

This article posted March 1, 2004.

Area Residents Getting Second Chance At Life

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