By Alexei Summers (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: June 20, 2012
On June 11, 2012, Abbotsford community member Mitch Powell underwent surgery at Vancouver General hospital to replace his liver. The surgery was dangerous, and the risks were known. Even if the surgical transplant was successful, it did not necessarily mean that the liver would work. In 10-15 per cent of cases, a liver transplant is rejected by the receiver’s body. Luckily, this was not the case with Mr. Powell.
Powell suffers from Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. This illness results in important ducts in his liver collapsing. Every time they collapse, surgery must be undergone to replace a stent in his liver holding the bile ducts open. This illness has caused Mitch itching and extreme fatigue. The replacement of the stents has thus far been a temporary bandage on a permanent problem. The only permanent solution, Mitch’s doctors told him, was a liver transplant.
Mitch’s sister, Katie Powell, turned out to be an adequate donor. Katie is well known amongst the Abbotsford community for her Get Rid of Katie campaign, where she entered, and won a contest for her and a guest to travel around the globe. Katie underwent tests in secret, so as to not get her families hopes up. During this time period, Mitch was placed on a list, waiting for a liver donor, but these lists are backed up for many years, and thus it might’ve been too late for the young Mr. Powell, who was already experiencing symptoms of acute liver failure.
As events were unfolding, a Facebook page was set up to keep friends, family and community members updated on how things were turning out. The page was aptly titled “What are we chopped liver?”
“After six months of keeping it a secret I felt really good to share a little good news,” wrote Katie on the Facebook page, relaying her experience about the reaction she got when she told her family that she was a match to donate her liver. “As my dad says ‘It knocked me over with a feather.’”
As of the 11th, Mitch has been reported to be doing fine. His body has accepted the liver, and his enzymes have reportedly returned to a normal level – the most stable they have been in years. His doctors have remarked that he looks like he’s going to be okay, and everything seems to be progressing well. Katie has expressed that she is very happy with the results; she is in more severe pain than her brother, but is also recovering well.
Katie and Mitch will be staying in Vancouver until they are fully recovered. But things are looking up for the Abbotsford family. The road ahead for them is long and arduous, but they are up to the challenge, and are once again filled with new hope.
“I truly hope that everyone at some point in their lives gets to experience the deep love and pride in their family as we do in ours,” said Mitch’s mother, Carol Powell, about the overwhelming support she has felt. “Thank you everyone for following along on our journey and for the love and support you give us because we couldn’t do it without you.”
For updates on Mitch and Katie’s status, please visit www.facebook.com/katieandmitch
