PATIENT PROFILE
A Life-Saving Move
A New Mexico woman was in desperate need of expert medical care . To get the transplant she needed , she became a transplant herself .
aylor Scott & White is the reason I am here ,” remarked Jennifer Andreas — and she means that in more ways than one . An autoimmune condition called hypogammaglobulinemia kept Jennifer ’ s body from being able to make the antibodies her immune system needs . In addition to leaving her more prone to infections , the condition also impacted her liver . Jennifer lived in New Mexico and sought care there , and also consulted with physicians across the country . Her health continued to decline , and it became apparent she would need a liver transplant .
“ We have been told probably 20 times that she would die ,” remembers Jennifer ’ s mother , Jeannine Daniels . “ Her case was so complicated , no one else would take her .” A physician with the National Institutes of Health recommended she look into Baylor Scott & White Health .
Baylor Scott & White Annette C . and Harold C . Simmons Transplant Institute is made up of an esteemed group of transplant specialists on the medical staff — surgeons , hepatologists , nephrologists , cardiologists , pulmonologists and other transplant experts — who are committed to addressing some of the toughest questions within a complex field of medicine . Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas ( BUMC ) and Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth together have completed more than 13,000 solid organ transplants , establishing a reputation for excellence and innovation in research ,
patient care and education . The team agreed to take Jennifer ’ s case .
“ Jennifer ’ s case reflects the reality of transplantation nowadays . The Simmons Transplant Institute is willing and ready to accept and transplant patients like Jennifer who require complex multidisciplinary clinical care to have their life restored ,” says Giuliano Testa , MD , chief of Abdominal Transplant at Baylor University Medical Center and chairman of the Baylor Scott & White Annette C . and Harold C . Simmons Transplant Institute .
Jennifer and her family made the move to Dallas to be close to Baylor Scott & White . The care she received at BUMC helped her get well enough to qualify for a place on the wait list for a liver transplant . In September of
2021 , she received the lifesaving gift of transplantation via a 12-hour surgery that required great skill from her experienced medical team .
She received her new liver and was able to celebrate Thanksgiving at her new home in Dallas , where she continues to recover . She is grateful for the expertise of her care team at Baylor Scott & White , and for the selflessness of the donor whose liver will allow Jennifer to enjoy her new home in North Texas .
“ There ’ s no comparison in the level of
care here compared to other places — and not only the doctors , but also the nursing staffs . They are so thoughtful and caring ,” Jennifer says , recalling visits from her physicians every single day — even on weekends — as she recovered . The prayers and Bible verses Jennifer received from staff lifted her spirits , and the line of nurses waving pom-poms to cheer her on as she entered surgery to receive her transplant will stay with her forever . “ That extra level of care helps in the healing process ,” Jennifer says . “ As a patient , you are grateful for every donor dollar that has helped build this center of excellence .”
Jennifer is mother to two boys , both of whom attend middle school in Dallas and are thriving in their new lives in North Texas . While Jennifer recovers , she dreams of volunteering at her children ’ s school and finding ways to give back to Baylor Scott & White and to her new hometown that has received her with open arms . “ They stepped in as a community and prayed and called and volunteered their time ,” she says . “ The community is just amazing and has made me feel so welcome .”
For information on how you can support transplant initiatives that will help advance research , treatment and care for patients in the future , please call 214.820.3136 .
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THE COMPASS / BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE FOUNDATION NEWS / SPRING 2022