Maine girl bouncing back after 6-organ transplant

6:13 PM, Feb 2, 2012   |    comments
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CLARKE CANFIELD
Associated Press

HOLLIS, Maine (AP) - A 9-year-old Maine girl is home after undergoing a transplant of six organs to remove a tumor that was spreading throughout her abdomen.

Doctors at Children's Hospital Boston replaced Alannah Shevenell's stomach, liver, spleen, small intestine, pancreas and a portion of her esophagus in October.

It's believed to be the first-ever transplant of an esophagus and the largest number of organs transplanted at one time in New England.

The surgery was necessary to remove a massive and rare cancerous tumor that was overtaking her organs and closing in on her heart.

The spunky, bright-eyed girl returned Wednesday to her home in Hollis and is enjoying sledding and her scrapbooks.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)