Infant Doing Well After Transplant

Infant Doing Well After Transplant

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Story Published: Sep 25, 2003 at 5:37 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:11 AM PDT

By Leslie Knopp

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SEATTLE - Madeline Hunt's doctors don't like to use the word miracle often, but they say that's what Madeline is.

The 10-month-old is doing very well after a life-saving liver transplant.

"She's still very sick recovering from her transplant. It can be a bumpy road. Most of the hurdles are in the recovery process this first week. But, she's doing remarkably well," said Doctor Patrick Healey, Chief of Transplant Surgery at Children's Hospital.

Thursday afternoon Madeline's doctors and parents spoke out for the first time since her surgery.

Madeline has a rare disorder and a liver transplant is her only cure. Her first transplant last week failed.

She lived for more than 40 hours without a liver. She had only hours, maybe minutes, to live when her family got the call that there was a donor.

Her parents know Madeline's opportunity is another family's loss. "I know that we don't personally know the family that decided to give Madeline her organ and a chance to recover and get the chance to go on to live a happy and healthy life... but we just wanted to tell that family how much it means to us that Madeline has that opportunity," said Matt Hunt, Madeline's father.

Doctors say this next week will be a tough one, but they're hopeful. "This was her chance and we couldn't ask for a better outcome right now," said Lorie Hunt, Madeline's mother.

Both her parents say they are potential organ donors. They have the sticker on their drivers licenses. They hope Madeline's story encourages people to become potential donors as well.

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