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Family Health Magazine - Fall/Winter 2003

Heroic Patients Live Life to the Fullest

Stalwart Bravery Despite Numerous Setbacks

The burden that Leanne Cherry has borne might have broken the spirit of many an individual. Despite her difficult health circumstances, she remains optimistic and full of spirit. The hurricane winds that topple lesser trees have not felled this mighty oak.

At age 8, Mrs. Cherry was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and was immediately hospitalized. Upon her release, Mrs. Cherry’s health was managed by a general pediatrician in her former hometown who was not aware of the serious nature of her type of  diabetes. Mrs. Cherry is a “brittle diabetic,” meaning that her blood sugars are especially difficult to control, fluctuating from levels of 40 to 400 in a day. 

“I was allowed to keep drinking soda and eating candy,” Mrs. Cherry recalls. “It was later discovered that my blood sugars were so high that I was fortunate not to be in a coma.”

Heatbreaking Complications

She was not so fortunate to escape damage. At the age of 17 Mrs. Cherry suffered a blood vessel rupture in her right eye the day after Thanksgiving and became totally blind on that side. After a terrible headache on New Year’s eve, the other eye also succumbed. 

By age 19, Mrs. Cherry’s kidneys were failing and she started dialysis three nights a week for three hours each beginning in 1987. 

In November 1988, Mrs. Cherry tried to arrange assistance to attend vocational education through Goodwill Industries of New Jersey. When she was turned down for transportation and told instead to take a bus, subway and train to get to school, she wrote to then Governor Thomas Kean regarding the matter. She was rewarded with a public advocate as well as transportation to school, and, in return, graduated as Student of the Year. Mrs. Cherry was their first blind student to complete a word processing program and become a medical transcriptionist. 

“I learned a lot about perseverance,” says Mrs. Cherry. “It was very tough sometimes, but I also felt that God had given me a purpose and I had to keep fighting. My parents taught me to be a fighter.”

Donated Kidneys Improve Life

Mrs. Cherry’s mother donated a kidney to her daughter, which freed her from dialysis for five years, until it began to fail. Her next kidney came from her husband, Cliff, making them the first couple in New Jersey to undergo a spousal kidney transplant. The physician supervising the transplant in 1994 was Shamkant Mulgaonkar, M.D., Chief of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Renal Transplant Centers.

“I can remember Dr. Mulgaonkar was hesitant to do a spouse-to- spouse transplant at first,” says Mrs. Cherry. “But then he watched the two of us and saw how solid our relationship was and his attitude changed. He said that if they were going to begin doing that kind of transplant that they should start with us.”

Cliff’s kidney gave Mrs. Cherry another seven and a half years of freedom. Then in January 2002, that kidney failed and she began hemo-dialysis at the Saint Barnabas Renal Dialysis Services Hemodialysis Unit.

“It is very unusual for a patient to undergo multiple living donor  kidney transplants: however, due to Leanne’s complex medical situation, she has required two such operations,” says Dr. Mulgaonkar. “Leanne, being such a courageous, strong-willed and eternally optimistic person, has perservered.” 

Looking to the Future

Despite this setback, Mrs. Cherry is hopeful that she will find another kidney donor. She continues to lead  a busy, productive life and remains thankful for many things. 

“My mother and father and I are very close as a result of my health situation,” says Mrs. Cherry. “I have  a dedicated husband and a church full of people who care about me and volunteer to drive me to dialysis. My boss has generously allowed me to work from home. I have so many blessings.”

Surviving and Thriving, Despite an Ostomy At an early age, Paula Von Rosendahl learned the toll a chronic condition can take on the body. As a junior in high school in 1974, she suffered from undiagnosed Crohn’s Disease, a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is characterized by inflammation and deep ulcer formation in the lining of the region. She lost 33 pounds in one month and her appearance transformed dramatically. “There were rumors that I was dying because  I missed three months of school,” she recalls.  “I remember going to a basketball game and people would look at me and turn away. It was a very difficult time.”  Seeking a Solution Though she was finally diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, Mrs. Von Rosendahl’s inflamed intestines continued to deteriorate. In 1983 and again in 1985, she required two surgeries to remove diseased portions of her intestines and colon. While this helped the situation initially, and she was able to become pregnant and have a daughter, a painful attack occurred later and more drastic measures were required.  “I was tired of the pain and wanted to see what life would be like without it,” says Mrs. Von Rosendahl, who selected to receive an ileostomy in 1992.  “I said, ‘Let’s get this done.’” An ileostomy is a surgically created opening in the abdominal wall through which digested food passes. The end of the ileum (the lowest part of the small intestine) is brought out through an opening in the abdominal wall. Waste is then eliminated through a pouching system worn by the individual. All of Mrs. Von Rosendahl’s colon, rectum and diseased portion of the small intestine were removed. While the average female has about 23 feet of small intestine, she was left with only four feet. While the new situation required some adjustment, Mrs. Von Rosendahl says that her life has changed in a positive way, and that most people would not know that she has an ostomy. “I’ve been feeling great and actually look healthier because I have been able to gain back some lost weight,” she relates. “It helps to have a positive attitude and remember that the important thing is that you are alive and functioning.” A Fulfilling Life Since her procedure, Mrs. Von Rosendahl has maintained a busy schedule. She is now able to exercise and enjoys water aerobics and vacationing with her family. To reach out to others with ostomies, Mrs. Von Rosendahl functions as President of the Essex County Chapter of the Ostomy Support Group. She runs the monthly meetings and helps to find speakers of interest to the group.  “She is a terrific role model for people because her attitude is so wonderful,” says Amy Ruff, R.N., B.S.N., C.W.O.C.N., enterostomal nurse consultant on wound ostomy continence patients for Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “Paula handles many roles, including mother, wife, business woman and traveler. People see that and it is a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished." Mrs. Von Rosendahl says she is pleased that, as one of the youngest ostomy patients in the group, she can help to alleviate their concerns and lead by example. To reach the Essex County Chapter of the Ostomy Support Group, call (973) 239-1616.

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