The Incredible Transplant Journey of Edward Hogan. by Marisol Ciovasso

The concept of a triple organ transplant can be scary to consider, but it’s real life for some—including OTS member Edward Hogan. After dealing with congestive heart failure in 2012, Ed decided to move to back home to Philadelphia to be closer to family while he recovered. During this time, he went to the University of Pennsylvania, where the doctors discovered that his liver wasn’t functioning correctly. It was clear that Ed would need at least two transplants for a chance at living a healthy life again. Unfortunately, he faced multiple rejections while waiting to be put on a list for surgery. To make matters worse, it turns out his kidney was also in a dangerous state. While running tests to get Ed on a transplant waiting list, doctors discovered his kidney would also need to be replaced. Suddenly, a difficult situation turned almost impossible.

Most hospitals don’t perform triple organ transplants—it’s too risky. To put it into perspective, less than 60 triple organ transplants have been performed throughout the world since the first one in 1986. Needless to say, Ed’s chances of being put on a waiting list were slim to none. The University of Pennsylvania would not perform the surgery, nor would John Hopkins or the University of Pittsburgh when Ed asked them for help. At this point, his chances seemed almost nonexistent.

But nothing is impossible. Even though the University of Philadelphia wouldn’t perform the surgery, Ed’s cardiologist from the same hospital told him about his friend from Manhattan—a cardiac surgeon who was being transferred to the University of Chicago, a hospital who has made a name for itself by successfully performing triple organ transplants, including two that were back-to-back. Now was the time, so Ed took his chance. He was accepted as a patient but was told he wouldn’t live past Thanksgiving. However, Ed defied the odds. On December 13, 2020, Ed went into surgery to receive a new heart, liver, and kidney. 

As one might expect, the recovery process was long and difficult. He was admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation center for a week and a half, and then he was admitted to an outpatient program with Northwestern Medicine. He also had to finish a separate rehabilitation program for his heart transplant. It took a lot of dedication and strength on his part, but finally, in December 2021, Ed successfully completed all rehabilitation programs. Today, he is much healthier, stronger, and happier thanks to the brave doctors and transplant teams that supported him throughout his transplant journey.

After successfully recovering from his operations, Ed feels he is now ready to start taking steps to contact the family of his donor. At OTS, we understand this is a personal journey one has to go on by themselves, and we congratulate Ed on taking the time to wait until he was fully ready to try making contact. Now that he’s lived a full year since the operation and completed his rehabilitation, we’re confident his letter will be that much stronger. Ed’s story is truly an inspiration that reminds us of the competency of science and medicine, and the strength of the human desire to live.