Vermillion County teen doing well after double transplant surgery

By Patricia L. Pastore

Tribune-Star

May 12, 2004

Recovering from a double organ transplant, Amber Hutson laughed Monday as she watched television with her mother.

The 13-year-old, who is suffering from cystic fibrosis, received a liver and a pancreas during an overnight surgery completed early Friday in Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.

Laughing caused her some pain, but she laughed for the first time Monday while we watched the sitcom 'Two and a Half Men,'" said her mother, Norma Hutson, standing outside her daughter's hospital room Tuesday in the intensive-care unit. Amber Hutson is expected to remain in the hospital for two weeks and then she must stay near the hospital for an additional four to six weeks.

"We are happy with the way she is doing," said Dr. Jonathan Fridell, assistant professor of surgery at Indiana-Purdue University. Fridell headed the transplant team for the pancreas and assisted Dr. A. Joseph Tector in grafting the new liver to replace the damaged one.

"The new organs are working perfectly," Fridell said Tuesday.

Moving, laughing, coughing or anything that puts stress on her incision causes pain. Pain is a normal part of the process, Fridell said. He said the amount of pain is caused by the very large incision necessary for this type surgery.

Blood sugar levels are normal, which indicates her pancreas is doing a fine job, Fridell said.

Before the transplant, her blood sugar levels soared to over 500 plasma glucose, about three times the normal range.

"Amber will be happy because she won't have to use insulin any more," her mother said. "Right now, the pain is the worst part, but she did learn that she can go swimming in about six weeks. She really likes to swim."

Amber told her mother she wants to soak up the sun and get a good tan after she is released.

At present there is no cure for cystic fibrosis, the disease that damaged her organs. "The doctors told us her new organs will last a long time," Norma Hutson said. "They may last longer than the ones she was born with."

Before the surgery, Amber Hutson's only apparent concern was missing school and getting her assignments done.

"She is a strong student," said Dave Harris, South Vermillion Middle School principal where Amber is in seventh grade. "She has straight A's except for a B-plus."

Patricia Pastore can be reached at (812)231-4271 or pat.pastore@tribstar.com

Copyright © 2004 Tribune Star.

This article posted June 2, 2004.