All her life, 28-year-old Emily Parks has lived with a serious condition called chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO). CIPO weakened her intestines and made it impossible to digest food. Because of this condition, Emily faced multiple surgeries for bowel obstructions and needed a gastrostomy tube placed in her abdomen when she was 6 years old so she could receive IV feeding or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for 10 hours each day.
She also had an ileostomy (a surgical opening in the abdominal wall that bypasses the colon and removes waste from the body). Her condition caused her stomach to enlarge, making everyday activities like running and lifting things painful.
In spite of all these challenges, Emily strove to live as normal a life as possible, going to school every day, then college. After graduation, she moved to the Washington, D.C., area and began working as a vocational specialist, helping unhoused people with severe mental illness find and keep employment.
“Throughout my life, I managed my illness pretty well,” says Emily. “But over time, my level of pain was increasing. I had surgery for several bowel obstructions and infections related to my TPN line. It put a damper on my quality of life. I couldn’t do all the things I wanted, I spent a lot of time at doctor’s appointments, and some days I just had to go home and lie down.”
When Emily moved to Washington, D.C., she chose Sukanya Subramanian, MD, medical director, Adult Intestinal Transplantation, at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital to manage her condition and TPN. At their first appointment, Dr. Subramanian recommended an isolated small bowel transplant because of Emily’s worsening condition.
“We did testing and found a genetic mutation that primarily impacts Emily’s intestines,” Dr. Subramanian explains. “With that knowledge, we were able to proceed confidently with a recommendation for transplant and reassurance that transplant would cure her disease.”
Although at first she was hesitant, Emily eventually decided to meet with MedStar Georgetown small bowel transplant surgeon Cal Matsumoto, MD, director, Intestinal Care and Transplant, and explore transplantation. “I connected with other transplant patients on social media and found very strong reviews of Dr. Matsumoto and his team,” Emily says. “That sealed the deal for me.”
“Emily’s surgery was complicated, but went very well,” adds Dr. Matsumoto. “She is now a year and a half post-transplant and is thriving. Her bowel is working as it should, she no longer needs TPN, and has no ileostomy.”
“Since my transplant, I have a lot more freedom and comfort in my life,” Emily explains. “I’m eating and I can do things I’ve always wanted to do, like travel to Europe and take up ballroom dancing. It’s also changed how I think about myself and made it easier for me to connect with people. I’m not always thinking about my illness. I feel more sure of myself and more comfortable in my own body.
“I’m so grateful to the doctors and staff at MedStar Georgetown,” she adds. “Dr. Subramanian is brilliant, and she brings a level of compassion and empathy to my care. Dr. Matsumoto is an excellent surgeon. The whole transplant team is phenomenal and dedicated to providing each person with patient centered care. And that takes a lot of weight off your shoulders as a patient.”
To learn more about small bowel transplant, click here, or to schedule an appointment, call 202-444-3700.
WATCH: Thanks to an isolated small bowel transplant at MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute Emily Parks is enjoying more freedom, comfort, and even ballroom dancing.