Medical miracle for Glenis
Published: January 26, 2006
In what’s been described as a medical miracle Glenis McGrath has had her sight restored after undergoing a life-saving liver transplant.
The former Dubbo identity - now living in Brisbane - has baffled Australia’s leading doctors and enthralled international transplant specialists.
“The how or why of what’s happened cannot be explained but doctors are now busy documenting my amazing recovery,” a jubilant Mrs McGrath said.
“I’m just so happy to be able to see again and to have a donor liver that’s giving me a whole new chance at life.
“My excited doctors told me to go out and tell the world and I certainly haven’t needed any encouragement to share the good news.
“It just goes to show what can be achieved through medical technology, the power of prayer and sheer determination.”
Iron will helped Mrs McGrath cope with 20 years of pain and surgery as her health declined. Only family and close friends knew how much strength she needed to present her smiling, immaculately groomed public persona.
“Whenever things seemed too much I’d say ‘You go girl, get on with it’. There was no point giving up or feeling sorry for myself. I was prepared to fight every step of the way because there’s just so much to live for.”
Mrs McGrath underwent bowel and bile duct surgery before her liver started to deteriorate. She was placed on the transplant list at Princess Alexandria Hospital in Brisbane six years ago.
The possibility of a transplant meant moving from Dubbo which was a wrench for Mrs McGrath and her supportive husband Denis, a consultant with Elders real estate.
“I lived in Brisbane for six months before receiving the call that a liver was available,” an emotional McGrath recalled.
“After being prepped for surgery doctors said the donor liver was too fatty so I was sent home.
“I was absolutely devastated and returned to Dubbo not knowing what was likely to happen with my health.
“Fifteen months ago an alarming deterioration in my liver function and eyesight prompted a quick move back to Brisbane. Doctors were unsure about what could be done and two months ago I reached the point where I could barely see at all.
“The Royal Blind Society was preparing to train me to use a guide dog then after another hospitalisation I found myself back on the transplant list.”
The operation took place on December 5 and Mrs McGrath spent four weeks in and out of intensive care.
“Then an amazing thing happened - a nurse came into my room and I could see her face.
“At first I thought it was my imagination but later when they took me outside in a wheelchair I could see flowers, trees and colours.
“It was absolutely amazing and stunned medical staff were over the moon.
“Perhaps it was the transplant or the massive vitamin A doses I had been given in an attempt to combat the blindness.
“Being able to see is a wonderful gift that is allowing me to return to my passion of painting. I used to paint five days a week - it was my life.”
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