When 5-year-old Ezra Toczek from Alden, New York, confronted issues of progressive liver illness, his former daycare trainer, Carissa Fisher, grew to become an surprising hero. The 21-year-old trainer and member of the U.S. Air Pressure selflessly donated a portion of her liver, giving Ezra a second likelihood 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 shocked the Toczek household by knocking on their door with an indication that learn, “Ezra, would you prefer to share my liver?” The right donor match despatched her on a trajectory that might save Ezra’s life, with the profitable transplant happening 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 previous, into their residence as a foster youngster. Ezra suffered extreme liver injury at beginning, which triggered bile duct blockages and impaired liver operate. 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 medical doctors … his transplant workforce. It is simply been actually unbelievable,” says Ezra’s mother, Karen.
Karen drove six hours right 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 operate. “We primarily needed to purchase Ezra a while and permit him develop earlier than contemplating a liver transplant,” mentioned Dr. Griesemer. “It was by no means a query of if he would want a brand new liver, however when.”
Over time, Ezra grew to become a part of the Toczeks’ giant household, which incorporates seven organic children and different foster youngsters. In 2022, the couple formally adopted Ezra, a spunky and deeply liked addition to their family and neighborhood.
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 watch and regulate Ezra’s liver situation as he continued to develop.
By February 2024, Ezra’s situation had worsened, and he was recognized with end-stage liver illness. Signs corresponding to extreme itching, liver scarring, and fatigue made each day life tough. “Ezra was having hassle sleeping and could not operate like a typical 5-year-old regardless of maximal medical therapies. It was clear that we would have liked to listing him for a liver transplant,” mentioned 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 grew to become a actuality that Ezra wanted a transplant, I could not assist however suppose, ‘How are we going to get this organ?’ Ezra’s care workforce talked about all potential choices, together with a residing donor. However it was so overwhelming at first,” mentioned Karen.
Carissa, who had been Ezra’s daycare trainer years earlier than, noticed the submit and instantly felt referred to as to assist. With out notifying the household, she utilized to donate a portion of her liver via the Liver Transplant Program at NYU Langone’s Transplant Institute. “I did not hesitate for a second,” mentioned Carissa. “If I had been 5 years previous, 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 exams to verify she’d be a great candidate and that it will be protected for her to donate a portion of her liver. The exams revealed she was an ideal match.
On the day she shocked the Toczek household with the information, Karen recalled, “it caught us off guard and it took a number of moments to course of what was occurring. The reduction of not ready on the donor listing 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 the USA in a position to carry out the sort of process robotically,” defined Dr. Halazun. “Our cutting-edge methods permit donors to heal extra shortly 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 should develop alongside along with his physique,” mentioned 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 may have totally grown again,” mentioned Carissa. “Not many individuals understand that.”
Regardless of some issues throughout restoration, Ezra regained his energetic persona. “His vitality, temper, and urge for food returned virtually instantly,” mentioned 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 fashioned sturdy bonds with the care workforce, together with licensed youngster life specialist Molly McClure and pediatric liver transplant social employee Katie Sclafani, who helped present emotional assist in the course of the course of and restoration whereas making certain a clean transition residence. These companies are supplied 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,” mentioned Dr. Vittorio.
Karen felt immense reduction after bringing Ezra residence. “He is again at college, hanging out with buddies and enjoying along with his siblings. He is doing all of the issues he likes to do, and we all know it should solely get higher from right here. He has large desires and plans.”
Ezra shortly returned to Hassenfeld Kids’s Hospital on November 11 for a reunion with the multidisciplinary workforce 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,” mentioned Karen. “He was unhappy to go away and positively 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 sit up for 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 perpetually grateful to Carissa for giving Ezra this present of life,” mentioned Karen.
“The reward of realizing you have helped somebody in want is extremely fulfilling,” mentioned Carissa. “I hope extra folks will think about changing into donors. It is a determination that may actually change lives.”
