Forever Linked

Continued from page 1 point to see each other, as Courtney says, “because 75 is a road that only runs south.” He would sometimes drive the three hours for only a coffee and a donut. He had officiated her wedding, had photographed his great nephew’s sporting games and supported Courtney in her role as coach.

“To all the memories and events in between, my Uncle Mark has been a staple in my life and helped shape who I am as an adult.”

In casual conversation, Courtney asked Mark if a live organ donor was possible. Mark had not considered it but said he would check with his doctors.

Over the intervening weeks and months, Mark maintained the restrictions placed upon him in an attempt to mitigate his deterioration. Still, he tired more rapidly and his ability to focus waned. Reluctantly he reduced his work responsibilities as others, most notably Tracy, stepped into the void. He penned a heartfelt personal essay for the November 2021 edition of The UpNorthVoice that explained to a largely unaware readership why he had stepped back.

Through it all Mark waited for the phone call that might save his life. While that phone did not ring, on the live donor side of the equation, the side that Mark had not considered, things were moving.

On her own, Courtney did some initial investigation and knew that the chances of Mark quickly receiving a cadaver organ, though far from impossible, were also far from guaranteed. She learned that a liver can be reduced to half its normal size through surgery and then, over the next few months, regenerate in mass and function to levels that rivaled its state before surgery.

Shortly thereafter, Courtney filled out a donor form on-line with the UPMC-Montefiore Hospital and made a phone call. Then began a series of online interviews that screened for potential issues. It was only then, after much of the leg work had taken place, that she told Mark she had every intention of being his liver donor.

He was taken aback.

Overwhelmed by her love and generosity, he was now filled with anxiety for his niece’s health and how such a serious surgery might affect her. He was not willing to say “yes” immediately but, as it turns out, to Courtney “there was never even a question as to whether I’d provide the donation.”

In March of 2022, Courtney made the journey to Pittsburgh and had 28 vials of blood drawn, numerous tests, and interviews with a social worker, the chief and assistant chief of staff, and a donor advocate. Each interview ended with the same question, “are you certain that you want to go through with this?”

Initial surgeries for October were delayed when Mark developed a serious complication, but ultimately, they were rescheduled for December 19; one to remove half of a liver, and one to transplant the half that had been removed. The delay gave Mark more time to worry that something might happen to Courtney. Courtney was unfazed.

Live donor liver transplant surgery does more than pair a donor

▪ See FOREVER LINKED on page 7