Deitz receives liver transplant

One woman awaiting a liver transplant received one last week.

Jamie Deitz, who lives in Elgin, N.D., was diagnosed with a liver disorder called glycogen storage disease when she was 7 months old. The disease means her body can’t process glucose normally so she has to drink cornstarch supplements each day and undergo the tube-feeding regimen each night to prevent hypoglycemia.

In October 2008, doctors discovered multiple hepatic adenomas, or benign tumors, throughout her liver which could bleed or become cancerous. They told her she’d need a liver transplant and she’d need it before the lesions grew cancerous. Doctors put her on the liver transplant list, but Deitz said she didn’t know when or if she’ll ever receive one.

She got the call Friday, said her father, Jim Deitz.

Doctors operated Saturday morning and as of Monday, Jamie was coherent and speaking although though she was still anxious and nervous, he said.

“So, so far so good on the transplant,” he said.

Jamie will stay at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. for at least five weeks, her father said. Doctors want to test and monitor the new transplant to make sure Jamie’s body doesn’t reject it. While she’s there, Jamie’s mother is staying with her.

“All we can do now is pray and hope everything works for her,” he said.

Although Medicaid and Medicare help pay for medical costs, Jamie still has to pay 20 percent, Jim said. Out-of-pocket costs will likely exceed $30,000.

To help Jamie with her medical expenses, donations can be made to the Help Jamie Fund at any U.S. Bank location.

Sun reporter Katie Ryan can be reached at 701-952-8454

or by e-mail at kryan@jamestownsun.com

Tags: news, liver, transplant, hypoglycemia, elgin, dietz