CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) - - On Mother's Day, the majority of mothers enjoy to receive flowers, cards, or maybe even breakfast in bed, but the present a
Fayetteville mom just recently got from her child is life-altering.
Meredith Stiehl and her daughter Kenan share the very same smile, however sometimes Meredith's smile has actually been overshadowed by illness and discomfort.
" I was identified with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver a little over eight years ago," she explained. She added that the illness impacted numerous organs, including her heart and lungs.
Her child Kenan was a freshman in college when her mama was identified.
" It was extremely hard to watch her be so sick," she recalled. "She had a really hard time breathing."
" At my graduation in 2015, she was [using a] wheelchair, oxygen tank, and I might not truly take seeing her like that, having that hard of a time anymore," Kenan stated.
" It ended up being extremely hard," her mom added. "I was losing ground and time."
Then, Meredith Stiehl's medical professionals informed her she could gain from a partial liver transplant from a living donor. Due to the fact that the liver can regrow inside the body, this type of transplant is possible.
If she wished to move ahead with the transplant, it would be the first of its kind in 20 years at UNC Hospital, but she 'd require to discover a donor who was not only a match but happy to go through significant surgery.
Kenan got checked immediately and discovered she was a match, but when she told her mother she wanted to contribute part of her liver, Meredith wasn't sure.
" No, no, you're not going to do this," she recalled saying. She stated she had issues for her own health, but added, "They were certainly secondary to my child and her health."
The more they learned about the procedure, however, the more they understood it was Meredith's best chance at healing. In March, cosmetic surgeons at UNC transplanted part of Kenan's liver into her mama.
2 months after the mom, transplant and daughter are both healthy.
" It's the greatest thing I've seen, her turn-around, health-wise. It's like it is a wonder," Kenan said.
Now she motivates others to consider ending up being a living donor.
" I wish more individuals might understand that they can alter somebody's lifestyle this dramatically by being a living organ donor," she said. "I was so anxious, but it worked out completely. And she's okay and I'm alright, and I'm really delighted I could do it."
" It was such a selfless thing to do," her mama added. "I love her; I'm proud of her, but I still can't believe that she did this."
" I did it for all the future minutes for us to have together, like my wedding, having kids," Kenan explained. "I feel honored to be able to do this."
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