Since birth,
my intestines were very, very weak.
I couldn't really digest anything that I ate.
So I was dependent on I.V.
nutrition up until I was 28.
And then I had a life changing transplant.
I started ballroom dancing.
I'm able to feel comfortable and not fret about my illness.
So, dancing's been this great outlet for me.
My name is Emily, and I received an isolated small bowel
from MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute.
Since I was about six, I was on TPN
for 10 hours a day every day.
I couldn't really digest anything that I ate.
Food was just for fun, but it wasn't for survival.
I think I managed it pretty well, but over time
my level of pain was increasing.
I had a lot of bowel obstructions.
I had a lot of line placements.
I had a lot of line infections, especially.
So, I moved to the D.C.
area a little bit after graduating college, and I just
connected with
Georgetown because it was recommended to me
just to get my TPN formula and other stuff.
And I remember it was the first clinical appointment with Dr. Subramanian,
she was like, 'Oh, you need a transplant.'
She was found to have a genetic mutation that impacts
how her smooth muscle organizes, primarily in her intestine.
What the genetic testing enables us to do
is to really narrow in on what the disease pathogenesis is
and proceed confidently with the recommendation for transplant
and have some reassurance that this will be curative.
There's a lot of Facebook groups on transplants
and one or two on intestinal transplants.
There were a couple of hospitals that came up again and again,
and Georgetown was one of them.
Dr. Matsumoto was one of them.
You know, he is well-liked and respected by his patients, which is a big deal.
So, that's what sealed the deal for me, was the high reviews from fellow patients.
And it was very complicated surgery,
but successful and fortunately excellent
surgery done by an excellent surgeon.
Since my transplant, I've had a lot more freedom, a lot more comfort.
I'm not on TPN. I'm eating.
I can make plans and do things that I've always wanted to do.
There's great freedom in traveling.
So, Dr. Subramanian is my gastroenterologist and she's brilliant.
She's very good at what she does.
She brings a level of compassion and empathy.
A transplant is a serious decision to make.
It's not one to be taken lightly.
But if it is going to
improve your quality of life and how long your life
is, it's worth at least looking into.
My personal experience with MedStar Georgetown
was great dedication, great patient-centered care.
But when you're a patient,
transplant is a big commitment.
I see it like a marriage.
I'm in it for better or worse.
So far, it's been excellent.
I renewed my vows.