Transplant Patient May Be Home Early

A 4-year-old Caldwell, Idaho, girl who is recovering from a five-organ transplant performed March 17 in a Miami hospital might be coming home earlier than expected.

If all goes well, Julianne Prudhomme will be back in Caldwell late this month.

Doctors originally had told Julianne’s family she would have to remain in Miami until mid-June. But her recovery has been progressing rapidly, and now doctors say they are ready to let her return home by month’s end if she continues to improve.

Julianne’s mother, Penney Huffman, said doctors in Miami also say they are confident that Dr. Adrian Curnow, a pediatric surgeon at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Boise, can help Julianne with her recovery.

“She’s recovering well, but we also have a really good doctor at home,” Huffman said.

Julianne suffered from a narrowing of the intestines known as multiple intestinal atresia. The condition led to the malfunctioning of other organs.

She was born five weeks early in February 1993 and underwent four surgeries to remove most of her intestinal tract. Until a few days ago, Julianne never had tasted normal food.

Julianne left Miami-Jackson Children’s Hospital on April 26 and moved to an apartment to continue receiving postoperative care.