Dependant gets second chance at life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Allison M. Boehm
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale --  The morning of May 4 started like every other day for the Rhodes family--Chris was getting ready for work while her two daughters, Celine and Chelsea, were busy eating breakfast.
However, the shattering of a dropped cup on the kitchen floor unexpectedly threw the family into terrifying a 24-hour ordeal where a life hung on the line.
Celine Rhodes, daughter of recently retired Tech. Sgt. Russel Rhodes and base employee Chris Rhodes, had been suffering for a couple days from what was thought to be flu symptoms. No one knew the actual cause of her affliction.
"I heard a cup drop so I came into the kitchen," said Ms. Rhodes. "I found Celine talking, but incoherently. I knew we had to get her to the hospital as soon as possible."
The 14-year-old was rushed to Willis Knighton Hospital in Bossier City, where doctors were unable to diagnose her underlying ailment.
After six hours as a patient there, she was transported via ambulance to Willis Knighton in Shreveport. There, Ms. Rhodes would hear unbelievable news of uncertainty--Celine was in complete liver failure and was dying.
"The doctor told me she had 24 hours to live," explained Ms. Rhodes. "Our backs were up against the wall. She had to be put on the donor list immediately. Her father and I could not believe that she was in liver failure. You think your child has a stomach bug and in actuality her liver is failing and she is dying. We would never have imagined that she was in liver failure."
In many cases, it can take weeks to find a matching donor for a transplant patient-- but in Celine's case, she had less than a day.
The staff at Children's Hospital, Dallas, was able to locate a matching donor in five hours but was unable to have it transported immediately due to weather conditions.
"Imagine you are told your child only have 24 hours to live, a donor is found, but the pilots can't take off," said Ms. Rhodes. "During this time her brain is swelling from pneumonia not being able to leave her body due to liver failure."
After waiting on pins and needles for the liver to arrive, the weather cleared up and on May 5, Celine was rushed into an eight hour emergency liver transplant surgery that saved her life.
Without the generosity of an organ donor, Celine would not have made it. In her case, an 18-year-old from Oklahoma lost their life but saved Celine's.
In a letter Celine wrote to the donor's family, she said how thankful she was to the family for giving her a second chance at life and how sorry she was for their loss.
Although Celine is recovering well, she still has a long recovery ahead. After three months, she has come home and has to stay well for the next six to seven months in order for her to interact in public places again. She has regular physical therapy to help gain her strength back, and has to take medication on time which consists of 20 pills throughout the day.
In spite of all Celine has gone through, she still remains optimistic.
"I believe this was a miracle," said Celine. "God still has a plan for me."
A liver transplant can cost around $300,000 so the debt the Rhodes family has incurred is ongoing as Celine continues to have medical appointments every two weeks and weekly lab testing.
Although Celine's medical insurance covers some of the cost, the Rhodes family is still in need of monetary donations.
"The Children's Organ Transplant Association's goal is to raise $40,000 to help us with travel and medications for Celine," said Ms. Rhodes. "I would just like to thank everyone for their prayers and support."
For individuals who are interested in donating, the Rhodes family needs and greatly appreciates the sentiment. All donations can be made through the Web site, www.cota.org. Individuals who wish to help can navigate to Celine's page and make a donation.