Surgeons who did it (L to R): Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, Melissa B, Dr. Marcelo Cypel and Dr. Tom Waddell. (Photo: UHN)
Melissa, family after recovery
The University Health Network (UHN) is telling the story of Melissa B this Wednesday The Burlington woman was dying from infection in her lungs that was resistant to antibiotics,. A lung transplant was needed but not at hand. Doctors asked her family if they wanted to make the heavy decision to remove Melissa’s lungs until a transplant was available. They did and Dr.Shaf Keshavjee, the surgeon in charge of the groundbreaking plan at Toronto General Hospital, went forward. She lived on an artificial system that kept her oxygenated and alive until the lung replacement was available. Dr. Keshavjee, among other things, is a graduate of North Toronto Collegiate. His dream as a boy was to become a surgeon.
