Name: Noah

Condition(s):

  • Pancreatitis

Specialty(s):

Age at Treatment: 6

Age Today: 10 Years

Meet Noah

Noah was diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis at 6 years old, after years and years of frustration and no answers. Noah is incredibly bright, hilarious and totally unique so it was not a surprise that He was diagnosed with a rare chronic condition. Once we had a game plan we treated Noah the best we could at home in Utah, but after many procedures and hospital visits Noah's life had the same quality of a fancy throw pillow, bound to the couch or a bed. Our wonderful Doctor in Utah referred us to Nationwide Children's Hospital for a Total Pancreatectomy Islet Cell Autotransplant (TPIAT). In a nutshell, Noah was going to have his pancreas, spleen, appendix, gallbladder, part of the small intestine removed, then have his islet cells removed from the pancreas and placed into his liver. It sounds made up, and completely mind blowing. It was our last shot, so no matter how insane, nerve racking and terrifying it all sounded. This surgery was the hail mary to get your sweet Noah off the couch and back to being a kid. So we hopped on a plane and flew to Ohio.

We met the team and instantly fell in love with Nurse Practitioner, Christie and Dr. Nathan. Noah grilled Dr. Nathan, and made sure every concern and question was answered before the consultation was done. Being told that removing multiple organs, especially the pancreas from your child's body will heal them, is incredibly overwhelming, but the team at Nationwide was by our side the entire time. Noah had his TPIAT in Feb of 2024, it was the most terrifying day but it has changed Noah's life. NOAH IS A WALKING MIRACLE, thanks to Dr. Nathan, Christie and the whole team involved with his TPIAT. Nationwide will always have a special place in our hearts because it is where Noah was healed, it is where our son was given his life back. Before we were discharged Noah was running laps around the 11th floor, He would have the Nurses time him to see how fast He could go, his record is 21 seconds. Nationwide Children's Hospital changed our families future and gave Noah the chance to be a happy, active, sorta always up to trouble kid! 

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TPIAT: Relief for Patients with Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is a specialized surgical treatment for patients diagnosed with acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis. If your child is suffering from pancreatitis, TPIAT may help and allow them to return to normal activities without pain.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital congratulates Jaimie D. Nathan, MD, on a significant milestone in an advanced procedure known as a total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). Dr. Nathan performed his 100th TPIAT on September 19, 2023.
Jaimie D. Nathan, MD, Achieves Surgical Milestone: 100th TPIAT Procedure

Nationwide Children’s Hospital congratulates Jaimie D. Nathan, MD, on a significant milestone in an advanced procedure known as a total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). Dr. Nathan performed his 100th TPIAT on September 19, 2023.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Stock Photo
Surgery

At Nationwide Children’s, your child’s operation will be performed by an experienced surgical team with expertise in TPIAT. Learn more about the surgery and what to expect after the procedure is complete.