Waiting List Patient Case Study Cards (template and samples)

For use with “Endlessly Beating” Lesson Plans

Organ or Tissue needed:

Patient Name:
Age of Patient:
Time on Waiting List:
Details of Case:

Organ or Tissue needed: Liver

Patient Name: Linda
Age of Patient: 44
Time on Waiting List: 5 years
Details of Case:
2000- diagnosed with Budd-Chiari Syndrome, a rare blood-clotting disease
2002- hospitalized all summer with clogged arteries and veins leading in and out of her
liver
- two shunts inserted into liver, no more hospitalization required
Since 2002
- scans show cirrhosis is slowly and steadily destroying her liver
- fatigue prevents Linda from working
- fully insured
Organ or Tissue needed: Liver
Patient Name: Seth
Age of Patient: 23
Time on Waiting List: 4 years
Details of Case:
2001- diagnosed with Hepatitis C, suffered from nausea, diarrhea, jaundice and
headaches
2003- hospitalized for 2 months due to extreme dehydration
Since 2003
- taking interferon and ribavirin with side effects of fatigue, muscle aches and
headaches
- unable to work due to side effects
- lives with parents, mother quit job to care for him
- covered on parents’ insurance until age of 25

Organ or Tissue needed: Lung

Patient Name: Josie
Age of Patient: 35
Time on Waiting List: 3 years
Details of Case:
- suffers from cystric fibrosis
- sister has already received lung transplant due to same disorder
- needs double lung transplant
- lungs working at 26% capacity
- unable to work for 2 years, due to exhaustion from simple exertion
- completes breathing exercises every day
- married with a 9-year-old daughter
Organ or Tissue needed: Lung
Patient Name: John
Age of Patient: 56
Time on Waiting List: 2 years
Details of Case:
- diagnosed with emphysema at age 49
- quit smoking at age 54, but damage was already done
- unable to work since age 50
- married with two adult children and three grandchildren, ages 7, 3, and 2
- Medicaid recipient

Organ or Tissue needed: Heart

Patient Name: Darryl
Age of Patient: 40
Time on Waiting List: 8 months
Details of Case:
- viral infection severely damaged heart
- restricted to bed rest for last year
- life expectancy without new heart less than 2 years
- married with two children aged 12 and 9
- fully insured
Organ or Tissue needed: Heart
Patient Name: Bob
Age of Patient: 45
Time on Waiting List: 8 months
Details of Case:
- hospitalized for 4 months due to coronary artery disease
- currently at home with an LVAD (left ventricular assist device)
- restricted to two short walks/day
- life expectancy without new heart less than 2 years
- divorced; 68 year old mother has moved in to provide care
- fully insured