The Times Advocate, 2004-11-17, Page 1(519)235-1115
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TIMES -ADVOCATE
Exeter, Ontario, Canada
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
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"A new lease on life" after transplant
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
LUCAN BIDDULPH — No one under-
stands better the importance of the organ
donating program than Ron Simpson.
The 49 -year-old longtime Lucan area
resident has been back at home since
Nov. 1, recuperating from a successful
liver transplant. Simpson was suffering
from a rare hereditary disease called
Amyloidosis, which starts at the liver and
attacks the nervous system and heart
after abnormal protein deposits build up.
The disease had already killed
Simpson's father and uncle and would
have killed him in 10 years had he not
had the liver transplant. Another one of
Simpson's uncles had a successful liver
transplant last year because of
Amyloidosis, while Simpson's third
cousin had a heart and liver transplant
because of the same disease. Both are OK
now.
As if that wasn't enough, there's anoth-
er interesting twist to Simpson's story —
he was able to save a life by donating his
liver to another man who, as a result of
cirrhosis, only had two weeks to live.
That man, a Listowel resident, is still
recovering.
The reason Simpson's liver was able to
be used in another person is that it takes
40 years for Amyloidosis to develop — as
the recipient is 60 years old, that's not a
concern, Simpson said.
Simpson was diagnosed with
Amyloidosis about a year ago, although,
because his father died from the disease,
he already suspected he had it. Simpson
felt fine until his mid-40s, but once the
disease started progressing he started
experiencing numbness starting in his
hands and feet that would spread
through the body. The only way to stop
the disease was through a liver trans-
plant.
Simpson had his eight-hour surgery
_Oct. 22 at University Hospital in London
after six months on a waiting list. Once
put on a waiting list, Simpson was given a
beeper and, once the beeper went off Oct.
22, indicating a donor had been found, he
went straight into the hospital.
Coincidentally, Simpson is a foreman at
Westminster Hospital and was at work
when his beeper went off.
Simpson said he was "a bit" nervous
before surgery, but the doctors and social
workers kept him well informed before
and after surgery.
"Everyone was super in there,"
Simpson says of the hospital staff. "We're
lucky to have those resources so close to
us."
After awaking from surgery, Simpson
was up and walking around the next day
and returned to his Coursey Line home
Nov. 1. While at the hospital, doctors
were monitoring him to ensure his body
didn't reject his new liver, which it didn't.
Simpson will have to take anti-rejection
pills for the rest of his life, which luckily
are covered under his health plan.
Simpson says he "feels a lot better" as a
result of his surgery and friends and fam-
ily tell him he looks much better.
Simpson says the disease made him look
"grey and tired."
Still in the recuperation stage, Simpson
admits he's getting bored at home and is
anxious to get back to work. He's been
told to do as little physical work as possi-
ble and will be off work between six
months and a year — Simpson's hoping
it's closer to the six-month mark. In the
meantime, he goes to University Hospital
twice a week for bloodwork and physio-
therapy. His scar still hurts a bit and he
experiences some shortness of breath.
Simpson credits his family and the
entire community for being supportive
during the whole process of his illness
and transplant. Simpson's family includes
wife Sherie and sons Jason, 17, and
Jordan, nine. Simpson said there is a 50
per cent chance his sons will develop
Amyloidosis, a disease that has been
traced back to Simpson's ancestors in
Ireland. Up until 10 years ago, not much
was known about the disease and
researchers are still learning more about
it all the time.
Of no surprise, Simpson is grateful to
the province's organ donor program, co-
ordinated by the Trillium Gift of Life
Network. Simpson encourages people to
sign their organ donor cards, which are
available from the Ministry of Health or
at www.giftoflife.on.ca.
Simpson plans to volunteer as a public
speaker and do fundraising for the pro-
gram as a way to show his appreciation.
He's also thinking of helping out at the
World Transplant Games, which take
place in London in 2005.
Simpson has also posted a sign on his
property at the corner of Coursey Line
and Highway 4, encouraging people to
consider organ and tissue donations.
Ron Simpson of Coursey Line in Lucan Biddulph is back home with his family and dog
Asker after a successful liver transplant Oct. 22 at University Hospital in London. In
rare situation, Simpson was able to donate his liver to another man, saving his life.
(photo/Scott Nixon)
Not only did the organ donor program
save Simpson's life, but he was able to
save another life through his donation,
which he said makes him feel good.
Simpson and his uncle are the only two
transplant recipients operated on in
London who have also been able to
donate their own liver.
Simpson is now expected to live a long,
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a
healthy life.
"It's a new lease on life," he says,
adding he's always had a bright outlook
on life, although he probably appreciates
life more since his illness.
"There's always somebody who's got it
worse than you," Simpson says.
"You appreciate everyday as it comes."
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