Cover Story
BREATEIN
NewLife
O
For Sheri Devries' husband and brother,
double-lung transplant is all in the family.
DAVID SACHS
Copy Editor
A
s Sheri Devries languished in a coma, her
family could not stand idly by waiting
years for a new pair of lungs to save her
life.
So they took a deep breath and did what they had
to do.
Sheri, 44, of West Bloomfield, had a rare genetic
mutation that caused adult-onset cystic fibrosis at
age 30. She had been doing relatively well until a
rapid deterioration started this spring and severe
pneumonia set in. In July, she began 3 1 /2
months on a ventilator in the intensive care unit
(ICU) at the University of Michigan Hospital in
Ann Arbor, half the time in a medication-
induced coma.
A double-lung transplant was her only hope,
but the waiting list for a pair of lungs from a
deceased donor was 2-3 years, said her husband,
Dr. Jeffrey Devries, 46, chief of pediatrics at
Oakwood Heathcare System in Dearborn. But
Sheri was fading fast and Jeff had to look to the
option of live lung donors.
In a new procedure performed primarily at the
University of Southern California (USC) in Los
Angeles, Jeff could donate a lobe from one of his
lungs, but another donor was needed to supply
the other. Sheri's only sibling, Steven Traison, 41,
of West Bloomfield gladly volunteered.
Occupying three operating rooms, doctors at
USC removed part of Steve's right lung and part
of Jeff's left lung and transplanted them into
Sheri. The five-hour Nov. 8 operation was a suc-
cess for all three patients.
"Jeff said this is the only operation he knows of
that there could be a 300 percent fatality rate,
because you got three people in there at the same
time," said Steve, who is back at work at his print-
ing business, Walker Printery Inc. in Oak Park.
Jeff remains in Los Angeles with Sheri.
Successful Transplant
"She's not fully conscious because of the medica-
tions.
She's still on the ventilator now, but it's antici-
"Luckily, Sheri has a strong will to live and, thank
pated
that
she'll be off in the next few weeks."
God, Jeff and I both had a great set of lungs to give
Sheri
will
remain in the ICU at USC for at least
her," Steve said. "So far, her new lungs are picture
two more months, said Steve. There is at least a
perfect — no sign of infection or rejection."
three-month rehabilitation program in the hospital
Sheri, however, has been plagued with various
after that.
complications since her surgery,
Jeff returns to Michigan Jan. 8, and Sheri's
Steve and Janice
including the need for hemodialysis
Traison and Sheri and parents, Ta rry and Barbara Traison of
and for strong pain medication.
Jeff Devries at son Bloomfield Hills, will stay in Los Angeles with
"We expect that her complications
Danny Devries' bar her. Jeff will commute for weekend visits.
are going to be temporary and I am still
mitzvah in March. NEW LIFE on page 14
anticipating a full recovery," Jeff said.