Scott Donald, economics teacher and assistant basketball coach was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis as a mere freshman in college. Luckily through a liver transplant, he was saved. However as of October 2014, the disease came back with a vengeance sending him out of Steinbrenner and into the hospital.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis can be life threatening. The disease spreads gradually causing liver failure, repeated infections, and tumors within the bile duct or liver. It can also lead to cancer and other diseases. Even death. This is because a liver transplant is currently the only known way to cure Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.
After Donald was hospitalized he was put on the transplant waiting list and after a month he received the transplant. Despite the transplant success he went through several complications during his recovery. The foremost being damaged scar tissue, a common side effect of primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. In order to alleviate this they placed a tube in his side to allow drainage out of the body. This tube assists in the recovery of the liver, after the tube has been removed a stent (small expandable medical tube used to open up previously closed vessel) will be placed in to keep the bile tube open.
“It’s not fun but it’s better than the alternative,” said Donald. Having hoped to return to teaching and be back for second semester, Donald was discouraged to discover the complications of his operation were simply too great and returning to work would be ill-advised. The only break he does have is going to girls’ basketball practice as it gives him time away from the house. The team has also provided some much needed support.
“This is the best kind of support I have ever received especially from the basketball team. They treat me like I’m a normal person, they get excited when I come around. Their support for what I have gone through is immeasurable,” said Donald.
With Donald’s career in teaching currently uncertain, students and friends pull for the recovering economics instructor to return to the school he holds so dear by the upcoming school year.
Logan Conrad/ Copy Editor
