`MIRACLE BABY' PARTY CELEBRATES 20-MONTH-OLD KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PATIENT.Byline: Amy Raisin raisin, in botany and cooking raisin, dried fruit of certain varieties of grapevines bearing grapes with a high content of sugar and solid flesh. Although the fruit is sometimes artificially dehydrated, it is usually sun-dried. Staff Writer SAUGUS - Pick an occasion for the party at the Worthen home Saturday - birthday, Christmas, congratulations, thank you - and it will likely make sense. But the main cause for celebration - the end of a six-month convalescence convalescence /con·va·les·cence/ (kon?vah-les´ins) the stage of recovery from an illness, operation, or injury. con·va·les·cence n. 1. for 20-month-old kidney transplant kidney transplant or renal transplant Replacement of a diseased or damaged kidney with one from a living relative or a legally dead donor. The former's tissue type is more likely to match, reducing the chance of rejection; but removal puts the donor at risk, patient Dylan Worthen - was lost on the blue-eyed ball of energy, who was far more impressed with the giant Winnie the Pooh pinata than with the dozens of well-wishers and pounds of Mexican food. ``The doctors are amazed a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. at how strong he his, how fast he rebounded from the surgery,'' said Ron Worthen, Dylan's dad. ``But the party is kind of (for) honoring the doctors, too. They've watched over him since he was born.'' More accurately, since before he was born. After a routine ultrasound revealed the fetus fetus, term used to describe the unborn offspring in the uterus of vertebrate animals after the embryonic stage (see embryo). In humans, the fetal stage begins seven to eight weeks after fertilization of the egg, when the embryo assumes the basic shape of the newborn had an enlarged kidney, doctors advised a pregnant Annette Worthen and her husband to make funeral arrangements for the unborn baby they had spent seven years trying to conceive. There would be no funeral. But shortly after Dylan's first birthday, surgeons removed one of Annette Worthen's kidneys and transplanted it into his tiny, 20-pound body. In the six months since the procedure, the Worthens - who adopted Irene, 5, and 4-year-old Travis when they were babies - have altered their lives to ensure that Dylan avoids common illnesses. Because of his fragile condition, he will never be able to play sports or physically exert himself. ``This party is really a birthday party for Dylan's brother and sister, too,'' Ron Worthen said. ``They weren't allowed birthday parties because they couldn't have friends over. (We) couldn't risk Dylan getting sick.'' The Worthens know they will always have to guard their youngest from germs because of his delicate immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. , but that hasn't stopped Dylan from bouncing around the house like a normal, rambunctious boy. ``You see the Christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. ? It's bare on the bottom,'' Ron Worthen said. ``He likes to knock the ornaments off. He's a tough little kid. He's a handful. He's our little miracle baby.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Ron and Annette Worthen threw a party Saturday to celebrate the convalescence of their 20-month-old son, Dylan, who received one of his mom's kidneys six months ago. Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer |
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