Tyrone Ivory
On September 8, 2008, just a few days before Hurricane Ike hit Houston, surgeons at Houston Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center performed a rare multi-organ transplant for 48-year-old Tyrone Ivory.
Tyrone, a former electronic engineer, had suffered from cardiomyopathy (a weakened and enlarged heart) since the age of 23. His disease led to liver failure several years later. In April 2008, his physicians decided he needed a transplant and placed him on the national waiting list.
In the days leading up to his transplant, Tyrone was in an intensive care unit at Houston Methodist for cardiac support. His care team included Dr. Matthias Loebe and Dr. Brian Bruckner, who performed the heart transplant, and Dr. R. Mark Ghobrial and his team, who performed the liver transplant. The doctors were helped by two teams of anesthesia doctors and intensive care specialists, along with pathologists, social workers, pharmacists, financial coordinators and dietitians for Tyrone’s multi-organ transplant.
Just 10 days after his transplant, Tyrone was already feeling better and looking forward to a life of wellness. "It’s a tragedy that the person who donated his organs had to die," he said. "But I’m so thankful for his gift. It’s a beautiful thing to save a life — to pass life on. I’m going to take these new parts and honor them forever."
Tyrone, a former electronic engineer, had suffered from cardiomyopathy (a weakened and enlarged heart) since the age of 23. His disease led to liver failure several years later. In April 2008, his physicians decided he needed a transplant and placed him on the national waiting list.
In the days leading up to his transplant, Tyrone was in an intensive care unit at Houston Methodist for cardiac support. His care team included Dr. Matthias Loebe and Dr. Brian Bruckner, who performed the heart transplant, and Dr. R. Mark Ghobrial and his team, who performed the liver transplant. The doctors were helped by two teams of anesthesia doctors and intensive care specialists, along with pathologists, social workers, pharmacists, financial coordinators and dietitians for Tyrone’s multi-organ transplant.
Just 10 days after his transplant, Tyrone was already feeling better and looking forward to a life of wellness. "It’s a tragedy that the person who donated his organs had to die," he said. "But I’m so thankful for his gift. It’s a beautiful thing to save a life — to pass life on. I’m going to take these new parts and honor them forever."
