Groundbreaking Surgery Saves 7-Year-Old

(CBS)  These days, 7-year-old Heather McNamara and her family are all smiles. But three months ago, they were losing hope.

CBS News correspondent Kelly Wallace reports doctors had told the family that Heather's stomach tumor -- her second in three years -- was tangled in her vital organs, making it inoperable and untreatable with chemo.

"They told us she was not going to make it," said Tina McNamara, Heather's mother. "It was horrible for her."

But then the Long Island, N.Y., family heard about transplant surgeon Dr. Tomoaki Kato, the only transplant surgeon known to have dared this type of surgery before, on a 62-year-old woman with an abdominal tumor.

"He was the only one who said 'yes, we can take it out'," said Joe McNamara, Heather's father.

To remove the tennis-ball sized tumor, Kato took out Heather's liver, small and large intestines, and other vital organs. He then re-implanted everything but her stomach, pancreas and spleen, which were destroyed by the cancer.

In case Heather's liver couldn't be saved, her dad starved himself in preparation to donate part of his.

"I couldn't eat all day until Dr. Kato said I could eat," Joe McNamara said.

Kato and his team of seven surgeons operated for 23 hours, taking a physical toll on the doctors.

"At the end of the case, literally, I was about to collapse," Kato said.

The only visible sign of Heather's groundbreaking surgery is a temporary food pump in her backpack. However, without a spleen, she runs the risk of infection, and without a pancreas, she's now diabetic. Heather left the hospital Tuesday, which is an important milestone. There's still a chance of recurrence, but doctors say if her cancer does not come back, she'll likely live a normal life.

Wallace asked Heather if she had advice for other boys and girls.

"That there is hope," Heather said.

They McNamara's arrived with no hope, and they found it at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

[sharoncalla]

Congratulations little angel girl. Maybe someday the Dr.'s can give you a pancreas, as you are so young, and a priceless gem to boot. Dr. Kato, I hope you have gotten some well deserved rest, and hope you take care of yourself, as another patient may need you someday. To the girls family, it's so nice to meet parents who love unconditionally, as so many parents don't have this awesome trait. All of you were a good team. Hope love and happiness for all of you. Two songs for you, "What a difference you've made in my life,and I will always love you. SC

[lightcatchr]

Wrong story--I will go now to the story about the paralyzed man who was bitten by a spider... still feel the same about fathers and daughters.

[lightcatchr]

I read "the rest of the story", and this is exciting news. Perhaps the recluse spider has some nerve regenerating substance? One small "thud" to this story, and that is my pet peeve about reporters' inability to portray a father's hopes for a daughter or daughters - that he may "walk them down the aisle" someday. Jeez-Louise!! Is there no greater hope for a daughter than marriage? Same stupidity with a father's relationship with a son. Inevitably that is expressed as dad's wanting to go out to the back yard and throw a baseball to junior. How about wanting to live to see a daughter graduate from college or (you think?) find a cure for paralysis? Come on, people. Get real.

[snoopy28173]

God bless the courage of this little girl. Any kind of sugery is scarry for a kid(and an adult), and this one was a huge sugery. I'd like to tell her"

"Get well soon. You are a trooper. Y\ou are brave. Keep up your winning attitude."

[dragyn30]

I congratulate the Doctor and medical team that did this. My goodness to see the family stand together was heartwarming! Not to mention humble good Lord!

I just have one question, this little girls in some way had pancreatic cancer and they removed her pancreas and said she will live without it! Maybe this Doctor just paved a way to increase the survival rate of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer!!

If Dr. Kato proved a little girl can live without a pancreas riddled with cancer then why can't others!!!

Way to go Dr. Kato!!!

[I_am_me1953]

With the door now open for embryonic stem cell research, maybe a way can be developed to create new organs for her.
Posted by rf35 at 8:49 AM : Mar 11, 2009
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The door was NEVER CLOSED on embryonic stem cell research, it required donations from the PRIVATE SECTOR and NOT Federal Govt./tax payer funding.

Not to mention, adult skin stim cell as well as umbilical cord stem cell research has been going on for several years and shows as much if not more promise and it doesn't require killing an embryo to harvest the stem cells.

[msay3]

This is a wonderful story, BUT nothing was said to the other little girl in the family. She just sat there looking neglected. Why didn't Harry include her in the conversation!
Posted by alpacasdelight at 7:29 AM : Mar 11, 2009
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Oh come on!!!! Any fool can figure out that the "other little girl" would be happy as hell that she isn't the centerpiece of this story....Under those circumstances, I would be more than happy to be neglected......

[msay3]

23 hours at $2000.00/hour staff fee = $46,000.00
Procedure preparation fee = $10,000.00
Miscellaneous charges = $20,000.00
Seeing the girl smile after surgery = priceless.
Posted by jwesel1 at 6:44 AM : Mar 11, 2009
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BRAVO!!!!!!

[rf35]

With the door now open for embryonic stem cell research, maybe a way can be developed to create new organs for her.

[Betsy0910]

I do not think that Harry could see that Heather was looking at herself in the monitor and wiggling her loose tooth, Just like any happy little girl. I hope that the Tooth Fairy is very good to her.