Grateful that we were able to spend so many years with him
In 1988, Sebastian received a donor liver when he was 9 months old. It gave him 29 years.
Hello dear MHH team,
I myself am not a transplant recipient and would like to tell the story of my brother Sebastian here to encourage others that fighting is always worthwhile.
Sebastian was born on 15.03.1988. In October 1988, his stomach got bigger and bigger. On 14.11.1988 he was admitted to the children's hospital in Vechta. He was diagnosed with advanced liver cirrhosis. His only salvation was a transplant.
That was the best Christmas present for us
On November 29, 1988, he was admitted to Hannover Medical School. His condition deteriorated from day to day. It was no longer possible to keep him alive with medication. On December 13, 1988, he was placed on the emergency list. A time of waiting began for us. My mother was with my brother the whole time. A few days later, at 5 p.m., we received the call that they had a liver for Sebastian. Now came the most terrible hours for us. According to the physicians at the time, we had to reckon with up to 12 hours. We particularly remember Dr. Burdelski. However, everything went very well and at 11 p.m. we received the call that he had come through everything well for the time being and that we would now have to wait and see.
That was the best Christmas present for us.
Every week to Hanover, every week the same anxiety
Sebastian was kept in a twilight sleep over the following weeks. After four weeks in the intensive care unit, he returned to the other ward. After these four weeks, the physicians told us that on the second night after the transplant, they fought hard for Sebastian's life. We also remember the little Japanese boy, three-year-old Tomoya Morino, who had also received a new liver. However, he died 6 weeks after the transplant (see attached article).
10 weeks after the transplant, he was given his first sandwich. The last tubes were removed and Sebastian came home for the first time on February 10, 1989.
He had to go to Hanover once or twice a week. After two weeks there was a rejection reaction and 3 weeks in hospital followed. Finally back home at the beginning of March. Every week to Hanover, every week the same anxiety.
By this time, he was no longer really well
Sebastian had to take a lot of medication. Despite this, he was always a cheerful boy who refused to let anything get him down.
He got older and older and never complained about any hospital stays, medication, etc. He accepted everything. He took everything in his stride.
At some point, he had a girlfriend who always stood by his side. They got married in December 2017. By then, he was no longer feeling really well. He often struggled with varicose veins, but didn't let them get him down and always fought on bravely. However, he kept coming back to hospital, either in Quakenbrück or Hanover. (Attachment photo from Whitsun 2018 Hanover)
We are very grateful that we were able to spend so many years with him
Then in June 2018, we met up with the whole family to take family photos. However, in the afternoon we had to call the ambulance and he came to Quakenbrück. A varicose vein in the oesophagus had burst. The fighting began, but this time there was nothing more we could do. Sebastian died on 04.06.2018 at the age of 30.
We are very grateful that we were able to spend so many years with him and would not want to miss this experience with transplantation and everything.
We also remember Mrs. Gudrun Held from this time, who was a great support at the time. Especially for our mother in Hanover, but also when we were there, she always listened.
We would like to say a big thank you to the MHH. Keep up the good work. THANK YOU!
With best regards from Emsland
Daniela Dedden