When 5-year-old Ezra Toczek from Alden, New York, confronted problems of progressive liver illness, his former daycare instructor, Carissa Fisher, turned an surprising hero. The 21-year-old instructor and member of the U.S. Air Pressure selflessly donated a portion of her liver, giving Ezra a second probability at life. The lifesaving transplant was carried out by scientific groups at Hassenfeld Kids’s Hospital at NYU Langone and the NYU Langone Transplant Institute.
On Might 25, 2024, Carissa stunned the Toczek household by knocking on their door with an indication that learn, “Ezra, would you wish to share my liver?” The right donor match despatched her on a trajectory that will save Ezra’s life, with the profitable transplant going down August 7, 2024, at NYU Langone Well being.
From foster care to household: Ezra’s early struggles with liver challenges
In 2019, Karen and Ron Toczek welcomed Ezra, at simply 7 months outdated, into their residence as a foster youngster. Ezra suffered extreme liver injury at beginning, which triggered bile duct blockages and impaired liver perform. Pediatric surgeon Kaveh Vali, MD, in Buffalo, New York, referred Ezra to Adam Griesemer, MD, surgical director of the Pediatric Liver Transplant Program at Hassenfeld Kids’s Hospital and director of NYU Langone’s Residing Donor Liver Transplant Program, to discover potential options.
“I can not think about not having had that point with the nurses and docs … his transplant staff. It is simply been actually unbelievable,” says Ezra’s mother, Karen.
Karen drove six hours all the way down to New York Metropolis, the place Dr. Griesemer carried out a surgical process to reconstruct and open Ezra’s bile ducts, offering him with a number of years of regular liver perform. “We primarily wished to purchase Ezra a while and permit him develop earlier than contemplating a liver transplant,” stated Dr. Griesemer. “It was by no means a query of if he would want a brand new liver, however when.”
Over time, Ezra turned a part of the Toczeks’ giant household, which incorporates seven organic children and different foster kids. In 2022, the couple formally adopted Ezra, a spunky and deeply beloved addition to their family and group.
Ezra’s hepatologist in Alden stayed in shut contact with Dr. Griesemer and Jennifer M. Vittorio, MD, medical director of the Pediatric Liver Transplant Program at Hassenfeld Kids’s Hospital, to observe and keep watch over Ezra’s liver situation as he continued to develop.
By February 2024, Ezra’s situation had worsened, and he was identified with end-stage liver illness. Signs corresponding to extreme itching, liver scarring, and fatigue made each day life troublesome. “Ezra was having hassle sleeping and could not perform like a typical 5-year-old regardless of maximal medical therapies. It was clear that we wanted to checklist him for a liver transplant,” stated Dr. Vittorio.
A knock on the door that modified every little thing
Karen turned to social media to share her son’s story, hoping to discover a donor. “When it turned a actuality that Ezra wanted a transplant, I could not assist however assume, ‘How are we going to get this organ?’ Ezra’s care staff talked about all potential choices, together with a residing donor. Nevertheless it was so overwhelming at first,” stated Karen.
Carissa, who had been Ezra’s daycare instructor years earlier than, noticed the publish and instantly felt known as to assist. With out notifying the household, she utilized to donate a portion of her liver by means of the Liver Transplant Program at NYU Langone’s Transplant Institute. “I did not hesitate for a second,” stated Carissa. “If I had been 5 years outdated, I would need somebody to do it for me. I knew I may assist, and I used to be decided to take action.”
Carissa underwent an array of assessments to verify she’d be candidate and that it might be protected for her to donate a portion of her liver. The assessments revealed she was an ideal match.
On the day she stunned the Toczek household with the information, Karen recalled, “it caught us off guard and it took just a few moments to course of what was occurring. The aid of not ready on the donor checklist was a present past phrases.”
A transplant that restored hope
On August 7, Carissa underwent a minimally invasive robotic surgical procedure at NYU Langone, led by Karim J. Halazun, MD, surgical director of the Grownup Liver Transplant Program, to take away 30 p.c of her liver for donation. “NYU Langone is likely one of the few transplant facilities in america in a position to carry out any such process robotically,” defined Dr. Halazun. “Our cutting-edge strategies permit donors to heal extra rapidly and return to regular life.”
Ezra’s transplant was efficiently carried out by Dr. Griesemer and pediatric transplant surgeon Bernardo Daniel Campos, MD. “We solely want a small portion of Carissa’s liver for Ezra, as it would develop alongside along with his physique,” stated Dr. Griesemer.
The liver is the one organ that may regenerate and heal itself over time. “It is fairly unbelievable that in simply six months, my liver can have totally grown again,” stated Carissa. “Not many individuals notice that.”
Regardless of some problems throughout restoration, Ezra regained his vigorous character. “His power, temper, and urge for food returned nearly instantly,” stated Karen. Carissa was in a position to go to Ezra within the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Hassenfeld Kids’s Hospital throughout restoration, the place she was greeted by his laughter, smiles, and jokes.
Ezra shaped robust bonds with the care staff, together with licensed youngster life specialist Molly McClure and pediatric liver transplant social employee Katie Sclafani, who helped present emotional help in the course of the course of and restoration whereas making certain a easy transition residence. These companies are offered by Sala Institute for Little one and Household Centered Care.
A brand new starting and reunion at “Ezra’s hospital”
By September 20, Ezra was discharged to a close-by Ronald McDonald Home to proceed follow-up care. On November 1, he returned residence to his household. “Ezra has caught up on his development and improvement, and he is only a exceptional youngster. The progress he is made is phenomenal,” stated Dr. Vittorio.
Karen felt immense aid after bringing Ezra residence. “He is again at college, hanging out with buddies and taking part in along with his siblings. He is doing all of the issues he likes to do, and we all know it would solely get higher from right here. He has massive desires and plans.”
Ezra shortly returned to Hassenfeld Kids’s Hospital on November 11 for a reunion with the multidisciplinary staff that took care of him, the place he noticed Carissa for the primary time for the reason that transplant. “Ezra loves seeing all his finest buddies at ‘his’ hospital,” stated Karen. “He was unhappy to depart and definitely not afraid to return again.”
Molly McClure, the kid life specialist, added, “It brings us a lot pleasure to rejoice Ezra’s new starting along with his favourite issues—dinosaurs and slime—and with all of the individuals who helped and saved his life alongside the way in which.”
Carissa and the Toczek household keep in shut contact and look ahead to seeing Ezra proceed to thrive, because of Carissa’s life-changing present of organ donation. They hope their story encourages others to contemplate changing into organ donors.
“I’m eternally grateful to Carissa for giving Ezra this present of life,” stated Karen.
“The reward of realizing you’ve got helped somebody in want is extremely fulfilling,” stated Carissa. “I hope extra individuals will think about changing into donors. It is a choice that may really change lives.”
