Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Aarron Busch, 46, of Dewart Lake, is in critical condition at the Indiana University Medical Center intensive care unit after undergoing liver transplant surgery.
His sister, Becky Tusing, 41, also of Dewart Lake, is listed in fair condition at Methodist Hospital today.
It is not known how long Busch and Tusing will be in the hospital. Nurses said "it's a daily thing with the doctors" as to when Busch and Tusing will be released.
Tusing donated 60 percent of her liver to her brother, who was in serious need of a transplant.
Busch's and Tusing's operations took place at two different hospitals to allow the specialists to do the procedures in the hospital where they felt most comfortable. Doctors thought it was important for Busch and Tusing to stay in the hospital where they could receive the best care.
Busch's entire liver was removed and replaced with part of his sister's.
Busch said before the surgery that the liver will "grow back to whatever size I need." Re-growth is expected to take approximately six to eight weeks.
The liver transplant procedure was only the second adult-to-adult liver transplant in Indiana.
The liver transplant program was developed in January and only 150 to 200 transplants have been done nationwide. Out of those, only three donor deaths have occurred.
"They really shouldn't have to do this procedure," Busch said prior to his surgery, "because it's dangerous."
But, dangerous or not, the procedure had to be done.
"I got hepatitis C in the military," Busch said earlier. "It created cirrhosis of the liver."
Busch learned of the problem almost three years ago, but had it for more than 25 years. A series of medical tests began when he had a melanoma removed from his back. From that point on, he said, it was a "domino effect."
Busch's blood wasn't clotting. Doctors told him he needed a liver transplant. But, since the procedure rarely takes place and the waiting list is so long, Busch waited for nearly three years before Monday's surgery.
Busch and Tusing were "very confident in the doctors" and didn't have "any fears of the doctors."
Doctors are monitoring Tusing and working to stabilize Busch's condition.
