Off the Kuff: Gallegos receives liver transplant

January 22, 2007

Gallegos receives liver transplant

State Sen. Mario Gallegos underwent liver transplant surgery late Friday night and is recovering at the Texas Medical Center, according to his family.

Gallegos, a Houston Democrat, had cirrhosis of the liver, which necessitated the transplant.

Gallegos had said earlier that his doctors estimated he will need 18 days of recovery time after his surgery before he can return to work.

The Quorum Report has a statement from Gallegos' doctor:

The following is a statement from Dr. Joseph Galati, Gallegos' physician, regarding Senator Gallegos' surgery and subsequent condition:

"After Senator Gallegos' liver transplant was completed late Friday evening, he was making the progress we would have anticipated over the weekend, and this morning is resting comfortably in stable condition. As we had expected, the surgery went well, without complications.

"Given that Senator Gallegos was just subjected to a major surgical procedure 48 hours ago, I am pleased with his progress so far.

"Senator Gallegos has not received special treatment, nor did he need any; organs are allocated on rigid criteria based on medical need. He is fortunate that a compatible organ became available.

"Assuming unanticipated complications do not arise, I would project that Senator Gallegos can expect a smooth recovery, and that this procedure will be a very good next step in his recovery."

My very best wishes to Sen. Gallegos for his recovery and continued good health. I sincerely hope that all crass political concerns can be put behind us by this good news. I join with Sen. Gallegos' colleagues in looking forward to seeing him back in action in the Senate.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on January 22, 2007 to That's our Lege

Comments

wow...senator has been on the same list for three weeks that my dad's been on for 6 months...same age range and everything...so why is it that the senator gets the liver. why not my dad? we have no money and my dad cant work. we're going to lose our house and have to move to my grandparents house...my dad's almost died like three times...all the senator had to wait was three weeks...my dads been going to houston for months and they say they're "trying"

Posted by: crystal johnson on January 25, 2007 1:45 AM

According to the Kristin Mack column where we learned about Gallegos' medical situation, he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver last April. It's entirely possible that he's been on the list since then, but only made that fact public recently, as it impacted his ability to serve in the Senate now. I don't know this for sure, but I'd be willing to bet money he's been on the list a lot longer than it's been publicly known.

Posted by: Charles Kuffner on January 25, 2007 7:08 AM