Nicole Brook Stoe was a healthy 16-year-old until December 3, 1990. After experiencing flu-like symptoms, her skin turned gold. Two days later, Nicole slipped into a coma. Her family was told that she would die in less than 24 hours if she didn’t have a liver transplant. After 21 hours had passed, her family’s prayers were answered and the physicians found a donor. After her surgery, it was confirmed that Nicole had Wilson’s Disease, a genetic disorder that inhibits the liver from discarding the copper that builds up in it. Following her transplant, Nicole went on to graduate high school and college, got married and is now raising a healthy son of her own.

Nicole's Story

Many people don't realize how precious life can be until tragedy hits. My family and I used to be uninformed about organ donation. I was a healthy 16-year-old until December 3, 1990. I experienced flu-like symptoms and my skin turned gold. My parents drove me to a hospital in Cumberland, Maryland where the doctors thought I had Hepatitis. One of the doctors had worked with patients suffering from Wilson's disease and she assumed that this is what I had. On December 4, this doctor contacted a liver specialist at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and told him of my condition. They decided that I should be transferred to Pittsburgh, where, upon arrival, various tests were performed.

On December 5, my family was informed that I had gone into a coma and was being moved to the ICU and that I would die in less than 24 hours if I didn't have a liver transplant. After 21 hours passed, prayers were answered. I was prepared for surgery which lasted 10 1/2 hours. After my surgery, it was confirmed that I had Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder that inhibits the liver from discarding the copper that builds up in it. I am forever in debt to a young man from West Virginia, his gracious family and the transplant team at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. I thank God every day for the second chance at life. Without it, I would never have graduated from High School and College, gotten married, or known the joy of giving birth to and raising a very HEALTHY son.

Since my transplant, I give more of myself to others. I strive to help others. Every year I volunteer as a counselor for a pediatric transplant camp. I took part in a documentary that is given to patients when they are discharged from the hospital to explain how to take care of themselves after transplant. I have made myself available through my coordinator for patients who want to talk or ask questions about having a baby after transplantation.

Before I had my transplant, my early teen years were spent worrying about how I looked to other people. When I was in the hospital, a "friend" told me that I should never wear a bikini again because of how ugly my scar was. I quickly answered that I didn't care what it looked like or what other people thought. I am proud of that scar because without it I would not be here. To this day, I still wear my bikini. Because of my personal experience, my family and I have all signed organ donor cards. I talk with my friends and new acquaintances about the importance of organ donation. I hope that by talking to whomever I can, I might help another person like me.