Liver Transplant Patient Testimonial - Emory Liver Transplant

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Simone Whitehead: I thought I was much healthier than any given 30 year old… Ran a half marathon and then another 5k at the Peachtree Road Race. So I would run about 15 miles a week and be super active chasing around my 2 year old and chasing around my two dogs. I had a son and a husband who loves me and we were building our dream house and, so, my whole life- everything I ever wanted was given to me…

But in April 2016 things abruptly changed.

It was almost overnight. I started getting sick to my stomach. I thought I had the flu. The tipping point was I started turning yellow
and I called my husband and said: “We need to go to the hospital”

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Tests soon revealed that Simone’s liver was failing. She was transferred to Emory University Hospital.

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Simone: And, when I got into the room it was just as if all these lights just turned on and I had about 7 nurses in there and they just made every ounce of anxiety go away.

Emory has one of the top liver care and transplant centers in the country.

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Dr. Magliocca: It’s a team approach and we have very experienced and talented liver specialists and herpetologists who dedicate their lives to liver disease. As a matter of fact, the support from Emory is so strong, we have an ICU that’s dedicated to liver disease.

Simon needed every bit of that expertise. Her situation had become so critical, she needed help just to be able to have a liver transplant.

Fortunately, at Emory, she had access to a special treatment machine called MARS liver dialysis.

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Dr. Subramanian: MARS is a unique form of artificial liver support that can take over some of the functions of a failing liver and help the liver regenerate or, in the face of severe liver failure, act as a bridge to liver transplantation.

Emory is one of the few centers in the country that is offering MARS liver dialysis therapy and we are currently the heaviest users of MARS and, therefore, we have acquired the greatest experience in this liver dialysis technology.

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Simone Whitehead: The MARS machine saved my life because it provided the time that I needed to wait to get a liver.

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Simone got that liver on April 30th, and things immediately began to improve. Within 3 days, she was walking and one week after surgery she was able to see her son.

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Simone Whitehead: The daily goal that I had throughout the hospital was to recover enough that my son could come see me on Mother’s Day. We do have one picture of it and, to this day, when he sees that picture on my phone, he’ll say “Mommy’s all better.”

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Simone’s outcome is not unusual. Emory’s liver transplant program has saved the lives of many patients.

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Dr. Magliocca: Here at Emory Liver Transplant, we have particularly good outcomes. If we do 100 liver transplants, 96 patients out of hundred are still alive with a functioning organ a year after transplant and that’s actually significantly higher than most of the country.

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Simone: I can’t think of one word on how to describe what Emory means to me. I am so grateful and blessed by their treatment, and my family and I are forever grateful to them.

[staciebrooks]

I got my liver transplant at Emory university hospital. Loved all my drs and nurses! They were Will miss them. They saved my life!!! April 14 2025 ❤

[brooklynnchick]

I’m so grateful that you got the help you needed, Simone. My transplant is coming and stories like yours are encouraging and inspiring for me!

[garyrygh]

I had my Liver transplant done at Emory also on 3/19/2017, great Hospital with great people. I will be coming up on five years in another month, it was an adventure I will never forget

[laquishajordan]

Grateful, Grateful, Grateful!!!
For the entire liver and kidney team/staff at Emory.
July of 2016 I was given a second chance at life. I can't describe the amount of relentless effort, compassion and dedication of the physicians, surgeons, nurses and team at Emory. I'll never forget that life changing moment and I live everyday with much gratitude. Its truly a blessing to be able to live a comfortable life again.
I pray for healing for all.

[michaelirwin]

Congratulations. I had my transplant about a week before you did. I'm about to revisit my transplant team for my second anniversary and look forward to it. Life continues to go well for me and I trust the same is true for you. All the best.

[sybrik]

Dr Magliocca didn't do my liver transplant but he did save my liver at Shands. I had stricture in duct . Thank you again Dr Magliocca! Miss you at UF

[drsuessl]

Tell Dr Field Willingham “we miss and love you” from Anne and everyone else at Mass General Hospital. He is simply wonderful ❤️❤️

[AJ-hysi]

What a beautiful story. The MARS machine is amazing. I'm coming up on my 10 year liver transplant date. The MARS machine wasn't available then. I have a dear friend that needs a type O kidney right now and is about to have his intake appointment at Emory. The donation of life is the greatest gift you could ever give.

[sherdilegamov]

I wish everyone live healthy life . May God take care everyone!

[shugarbxxymeh]

It’s my 8th day after my liver transplant I was with advent health they’re really good saved my life I had a liver that was bad 😊 but it’s ok I’m well :)

[junegoss]

Vthanks Emory for saving my life. Dr, Ram Submaraneous is still the liver specialist I see and he is wonderful. Thank you organ donors.

[sm-]

My fathers surgery is tommorow, I can't wait to see him healthy!

[rheedixon]

Why don’t these facilities give updates on 5-7-10 years later?

[jessymode]

im going through this dilema with my father
he had full liver transplant now hes on meds and is so different im scared hes going to start making bad decisions hes taking 46 pills a day and a shot he dosnt live in the same city i dont know what to do

[joealvarez]

May God-bless Seeing your storyGive me hopeMy wife is 62 years old and do forever transplant in AugustWe've been together 44 yearsAnd I don't know what I would do without herWe've been fundraising to earn money for lodging for after surgery costs insurance only pays for surgery God's blessed us for a lot of kind people have been helping us and we're close to our goal or go make God-bless you and God-bless all those doctors that help people that need this Life saving surgery 🙏 Aman

[zunairamubeen]

How much total cost of liver transplant?

[rikasilkcreations]

how much for full liver transplant
expenses