Woman Finds Her Voice After Rare Transplant

In October of 2010, Brenda Charett Jensen underwent a rare larynx transplant that successfully restored the 52 year old's voice. Jensen spent 12 years of her life without her voice after she destroyed her larynx by repeatedly pulling out her breathing tube during sedation while suffering from kidney failure. With the larynx being one of the body's most critical organs to transplant, stakes were high for Jensen but she felt the risk was worth it in order to speak again. Due to the improvements in technology since 1998, Surgeons at UC Davis Health System in Sacramento, California were able to attach more nerves and arteries to the transplanted organ. They used a technologically advanced microscope for the majority of the surgery which was not able to be done 12 years ago. Jensen still must use a tracheotomy tube to breath but doctors are hopeful that in the future the tube can be removed. Brenda Charett Jensen took a risk in undergoing such a complicated procedure but the outcome was worth it. For patients like Jensen, this groundbreaking transplant offers hope for others suffering and reminds others who are not to be grateful for their ability to speak.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704881304576093980834273812.html?KEYWORDS=woman+finds+her+voice