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Surgeons Remove 6 Organs to Save Girl, 7

Child has six vital organs removed so doctors can find a cancerous tumor

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 10, 2009 1:53 PM CDT

(Newser) – A smiling 7-year-old was released from a New York hospital today after surgeons undertook a rare, high-risk operation to save her life, USA Today reports. The operation, performed last month, called for surgeons to temporarily remove her stomach, pancreas, spleen, liver and large and small intestines in order to reach a baseball-sized tumor.

It was only the second time the procedure has been executed, and the first time on a child. Cancer had irrevocably damaged her stomach, pancreas, and spleen, so surgeons were forced to construct a stomach from intestinal tissue. Without a pancreas Heather McNamara will be diabetic, and she’ll be more susceptible to infection without a spleen. But for now, the McNamaras are thrilled to have their daughter back. "She's doing fantastic," Joseph McNamara said.

Heather McNamara has been discharged from a New York hospital after a daring operation to remove a cancerous tumor.
Heather McNamara has been discharged from a New York hospital after a daring operation to remove a cancerous tumor.
Heather McNamara and her family at a press conference at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
Heather McNamara and her family at a press conference at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital   (MSNBC video)
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Heather McNamara has been discharged from a New York hospital after a daring operation to remove a cancerous tumor.   (msnbc)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Shannonals
Mar 11, 2009 3:49 AM CDT
Best of wishes to the child for a speedy recovery
Chudluv
Mar 10, 2009 10:04 PM CDT
My prayers and hopes go out to her and her family....
riffran
Mar 10, 2009 4:32 AM CDT
A more true and profound statement cannot be made....bless her tough little heart

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