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Our Kids - Meet Matthew

Matthew, 17, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)

Matthew’s life seems just like any other 17-year-old boy. He goes to high school, likes martial arts, breakdancing and is fluent in both English and French. But what seems like a normal teenage life now has not always been that way. Less than two years ago, his life had to be put on hold while he fought a disease that was quickly claiming his liver.

In November 2009, Matthew was brought to SickKids with severe abdominal pain, jaundice and a pulsating colon. He was quickly diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). PSC is a chronic, progressive disease caused by inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts from the liver to the intestines. Over time, PSC leads to liver failure. The family was told Matthew urgently needed a life-saving liver transplant.

Committed to helping his son, Matthew’s father Richard was tested and deemed a transplant match. In September 2010, father and son underwent surgery to remove more than 70 per cent of Richard’s liver and transplant it into Matthew. Two weeks later, Matthew was discharged from SickKids and returned home.

Like many transplant patients, Matthew experienced some setbacks after his surgery as his body had difficulty accepting the new liver. Now six months after his transplant, Matthew visits SickKids every eight weeks for follow-up appointments and continues his medications and supplements.

Today, Matthew is back to school full-time and doing the things he loves: dancing and martial arts. He looks forward to a healthy future, thanks to SickKids.

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