Liver Transplant Surgery
Ercan Balkaya (43), who is struggling with chronic liver failure in Antalya, thought the news of finding an organ at midnight was a joke. However, when his doctors explained that there would be no jokes in such a serious matter, Balkaya experienced great joy. After a 13-hour liver transplant surgery, Balkaya, who held on to life again, opened the door to a new beginning.
The life of tourist Ercan Balkaya, who has been treated for chronic liver failure for the last two years, has entered a difficult period due to his illness. His work life, social life and family order were seriously shaken in this process. His wife Zeynep Balkaya (41) suffered a cerebral hemorrhage due to the aggravation of her husband’s condition. Zeynep Balkaya, who came back to life after surgery, did not leave her husband’s side for a moment, disregarding her own health.
Midnight Liver Transplant News
Ercan Balkaya’s life changed while he was under observation at the Gastroenterology Service of Antalya Training and Research Hospital. Balkaya, who had been unable to leave the house for the last 3 months and whose quality of life had seriously decreased with the progression of the disease, was on the organ transplant waiting list. The news that a cadaveric liver was found at 02:00 at night was almost like a miracle for Balkaya. Balkaya, who thought the news was a joke, experienced great joy when his doctors told him that he would be taken into surgery urgently. After a successful liver transplant surgery lasting about 13 hours, he said hello to life again.
Hello to Life Again with Liver Transplant
The liver of 22-year-old A.K., who died in a traffic accident, was transplanted to Ercan Balkaya. Explaining the process he went through with tears in his eyes, Balkaya said, “I was almost close to death. When a suitable liver was found, I had a hard time believing that this news was real. I feel like I was reborn after the operation. God bless my doctors,” he said.
Expressing his gratitude to the organ donor family, Balkaya said, “One organ means one life. I want to tell everyone how important organ donation is. Our organs are useless after we die, but they can save someone else’s life.”
Breathing the Spring Air Again
Balkaya, who has not been able to leave his house for 3 months due to his illness, stated that he dreams of breathing the air of spring outside again. “There is no description for this enthusiasm,” Balkaya said, “I was reborn on March 19. When the doctors told me that I was taken from the grim reaper’s clutches, I shuddered. It was not an easy surgery, but now I am very well,” he said.
Difficult Liver Transplant Surgery Successfully Completed
Prof. Dr. Tuğrul Çakır, who led the team that performed the liver transplant surgery, stated that the patient had been followed by the Gastroenterology Clinic of Antalya Training and Research Hospital for 2 years. Prof. Dr. Çakır said, “On March 19, a suitable cadaver liver was found at night. Preparations for our patient started immediately. We knew it would be a difficult transplant, but we successfully completed the surgery. Our patient is now in good condition and our follow-up continues,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Çakır stated that Antalya Training and Research Hospital has performed 10 liver and 35 kidney transplants in the last 1.5 years. He also stated that they have started to accept foreign patients within the scope of health tourism and said that they want to highlight Turkey and Antalya in this field.
