Girl's prayers answered as doctors agree to take on kidney transplant

February 27, 2009

Girl's prayers answered as doctors agree to take on kidney transplant

3 family members eligible as donors

By Michael Woyton
Poughkeepsie Journal

HIGHLAND - Gabriella Falzarine waited until two days before Christmas before she told her mother what gift she wanted.

"She said she wanted a kidney transplant," Dianne Falzarine said.

Gabriella Falzarine, 9, may soon be getting her wish, according to doctors at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, which has a specialty in pediatric transplants. By the end of March, she could have a new kidney.

Not only did the surgeons at the hospital agree to perform the operation, but her mother, father Jordan Falzarine and aunt Lynn Forte are viable donors.

Forte called it a miracle.

"It was meant to happen," she said. "We had to find one person, but to find all three in the same family, it's amazing."

Gabriella Falzarine has focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, which has caused her kidneys to fail. Her sister, Sophia Falzarine, 6, also has the disease but it is not as severe.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis results from scarring of parts of the kidney that filter impurities from the blood. The disease can be inherited, and doctors have advised Jordan and Dianne Falzarine not to have any more children.

Not wanting to subject her to dialysis treatments, Gabriella Falzarine's parent opted to give her albumin, a type of blood plasma. That isn't working as well any longer.

A new kidney is her only option.

Gabriella Falzarine sat by the fireplace of her aunt's Highland home Thursday. She was feeling chilly, which wasn't surprising given the day started out with snow and sleet.

Pneumonia immediate concern

Gabriella Falzarine has a cough and a temperature that spikes at night. She's fighting walking pneumonia, Dianne Falzarine said, which has to be cured before the transplant can happen.

The news that the hospital wanted to talk to the family about doing the operation was received during a benefit for the 9-year-old Jan. 23 at Mahoney's Irish Pub in the City of Poughkeepsie.

"We were ecstatic," Dianne Falzarine said.

The family, formerly of Highland and now living in South Carolina, flew up to meet with Dr. Mark Hardy, the Auchincloss professor of surgery and director emeritus of the transplantation program.

"When we got there, we were still nervous, and he (Hardy) guaranteed he would do it," Dianne Falzarine said.

That was an enormous relief because doctors in South Carolina wouldn't consider doing the procedure that would save the child's life unless the family put $270,000 in escrow.

"When we moved to South Carolina, we didn't know we couldn't get insurance," Dianne Falzarine said.

Gabriella Falzarine's condition was considered pre-existing and, therefore, not eligible for insurance in the state.

Dianne Falzarine said they talked to Columbia-Presbyterian's surgical team and got a commitment from the hospital the surgery would take place.

The family was tested, and it was determined Gabriella Falzarine's mother, father and aunt were possible donors.

Hardy said a donor selection team at the hospital screened all the candidates to determine who was the best candidate.

"We have to make sure that person is healthy in all aspects," he said. "The renal function has to be very good."

Dianne Falzarine said she would willingly give one of her kidneys for her daughter.

"I told them if anyone of us was a match, I was first in line," she said. She faces more blood tests as well as blood pressure monitoring to make sure she can provide the kidney.

Hardy said both of Gabriella Falzarine's kidneys will be removed during the operation because a remaining kidney would continue to endanger her health.

The healthy kidney from the donor will be removed by a laparoscope, a slender tube, inserted into the body via a two-inch incision. The small incision enables the donor to go home in a couple of days.

"The safety of the donor is extraordinarily high," Hardy said. "It's safer to be a donor than having an appendix taken out."

He added it is important for people to let their families know they want their kidneys donated should they die.

Medication continues

Once the kidney is transplanted, Gabriella Falzarine will be on medication for the rest of her life to keep the kidney from being rejected.

"After a month or so, she will feel great," Hardy said, adding it is quite possible she will be able to attend school in the fall.

He said part of the evaluation process included having the family speak with the medical center's financial coordinator.

"We do not do this for free," Hardy said. "But we don't take money up front," except on occasion from people who don't live in the United States.

Gabriella Falzarine has recently been approved for disability insurance. Since 1974, almost all end-stage renal failure patients have been covered by Medicare, Hardy said.

The pneumonia has made Gabriella Falzarine extremely tired. If it doesn't get better soon, another trip to the hospital will be necessary.

She said all the needles she has had to endure from blood tests taken, sometimes, every four hours, has made her stronger nonetheless.

When she grows up, Gabriella Falzarine said she wants to be a surgeon, "so I can help other kids."

She says the rosary every night, and asks God to take care of her family.

What else does she pray for?

"A transplant," Gabriella Falzarine said.
Additional Facts
How to help

Tax-deductible donations to help pay for Gabriella Falzarine's kidney transplant can be sent to First Citizen Bank & Trust, P.O. Box 1760, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. Checks should be made out to Gabriella's Fund.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090227/NEWS01/902270325/1006