ABSTRACT
My life changed abruptly on December 16, 1980. I was only 15 years old and had been experiencing severe lower abdominal pains over the course of 2 days until my stomach became board like, and it was impossible for me to stand up straight. During emergency surgery, the doctors disclosed that their initial incision of the abdomen revealed ruptured and gangrenous intestines that emitted a necrotic odor. The surgeons were prompted to perform an anastomosis upon witnessing pink tissue. It was communicated to my parents upon viewing previous x-rays that the malrotation of the intestines occurred because I was missing the ligament of Treitz that they understood to be a birth defect. I was left with a portion of small bowel and a third of descending colon, estimated to be 14 inches. My family and I wondered how I could subsist with minimal intestines. Now 43 years old, I am thankful my relationship with Boston Children’s Hospital which began later that same day.
