Tara Prouty
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
National Foundation for Transplants, Inc.$9,834
raised by 95 people
$30,000 goal
in 5 years left
I’ve Received My Transplant!
Hey everyone, and thanks so much to everyone who made this possible! God bless you all!
Here are the basics of what went down with my surgery:
•Donor SMV to recipient IVC anastomosis
• Donor SMA to aorta with SMA graft anastomosis
•Gastrojejunostomy creation with REY Jejunojejunostomy creation
•End ileostomy creation
•Cholecystectomy
•Omentectomy
•Placement of g/j tube
• 2 JP drains in the abdomen, LLQ
1 JP subcutaneous drain in the abdomen, LLQ
I now have my nose tube and all my drains out, (and apparently my gallbladder too, it was collapsed and apparently they chose to take it out for best results!).
My stomach had to have extensive modifications. It was completely atrophied, so they had to come up with a solution to use my same stomach and making an extra opening for it to drain to the small intestine. (A picture is included- a drawing of my new anatomy for easier understanding).
On the plus side:
I AM OFF TPN AND TUBE FEEDS- WOW!
I actually am fully tolerating liquids and can even eat some solid soft foods (but no fat and no fiber yet! So it’s a bit tricky and limited.) Anyway, I haven’t eaten in THREE years, and many doctors thought I never would be able to eat. This is truly a miracle and I’m so thankful to God, all my surgeons, and caregivers, and to those who donated! Thanks to my family and friends for supporting me through this time.
THERE IS STILL TIME TO DONATE THOUGH!!
Post transplant- I will have lots of bills. For living in the area afterwards so I can stay close to the hospital for frequent tests and biopsies. It’s the safest requirement for my well being, and to avoid rejection and infection.
I will have multiple medication expenses, biopsy and lab expenses, doctors appointments, housing expenses, grocery/ food expenses and travel expenses, on top of the hospital stay and expensive surgery itself. If you haven’t donated, please consider doing so. If you have donated, please keep sharing so others may see this and donate!
Huge thanks to everybody.
Tara Prouty
Transplant Type: Intestinal Transplant
What if you were living on borrowed time?
Tara Prouty is awaiting a second chance. She has struggled with chronic health problems her entire life. Since age four, she and her doctors have tried to find a way to lessen her symptoms. Tara suffers from reflux, nausea, stomach pain, and inability to have bowel movements. She was eventually diagnosed with gastroparesis, global gastrointestinal dysmotility, and colonic inertia. She has lost her entire large intestine and now has a permanent ileostomy bag. Tara has a G-tube and J-tube (one for feeding, and one for venting), and is on total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Tara has not been able to eat or drink anything by mouth in three years. Though her tubes supply the nutrition that she needs, she stills feels the symptoms of starvation everyday making it difficult to sleep and causing her to have constant thirst and hunger pains. It is believed that her illness stems from a genetic condition known as Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Doctors now say an intestinal transplant is critical.
During this difficult time, Tara is thankful for the love and support of her family and friends, who have been by her side every step of the way. Tara used to enjoy being active, going to church, baking, and writing books, but these days, her activities are quite limited. She looks forward to receiving a transplant that will allow her to live her life to the fullest. Tara wants nothing more than to be healthy enough to spend many more years with her loved ones and to have the opportunity to dance and eat again. But right now, she needs your help.
Unfortunately, Tara’s hope for a new life comes at a very high price.
The average intestinal transplant costs more than $1 million, and that’s only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, she faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.
Tara lives 100 miles from the transplant center, and she incurs substantial expenses each time she visits for evaluations and doctors’ appointments. When she receives her transplant, Tara and her caregiver will need to stay near the hospital for three to six months during recovery, adding to the financial strain.
You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to the National Foundation for Transplants in honor of Tara.
If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the National Foundation for Transplants, 3249 W. Sarazen’s Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Tara Prouty” in the memo line.
Thank you for your generosity!
Transplant Center: Cleveland Clinic
If you have any questions about The National Foundation for Transplants, feel free to contact the staff at 800-489-3863.