Posted on: Sunday, October 6, 2002

Kailua girl, 16, on mend from mystery ailment

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

If all goes well, Alisa Suderman, right, still recovering in San Francisco, and her mom, Ginger, could return home Nov. 20. Family photo

KAILUA — Miracles paved the road to recovery for Alisa Suderman of Kailua, who can still count her blessings after a two-year battle with a mystery ailment that left her near death, destroyed her kidneys and required a transplant.

"I'm glad it happened to me," said the 16-year-old, who admitted wondering "why me?" at the onset of the problem. "It changed who I am, and I like who I am now. I've learned so much in the ways of morals and priorities. Like, instead of going to the mall, I should be doing homework."

Suderman is still recovering from a December kidney transplant at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center.

She and one of her parents, either Ginger or Jim Suderman, have stayed at the San Francisco Ronald McDonald House the whole time, as Alisa fought through four rejections of the kidney even though it was a perfect match — donated by her father.

Peggy McGuire, executive director for Ronald McDonald House, said the family has been there longer than any other. In return for the free lodging, they have become volunteers, Jim helping with repairs, Alisa working in the office and Ginger comforting other mothers.

But it's Alisa that impresses the most, McGuire said.

"She's a dancer, and the grace that she brought to the discipline of dance is the grace she's brought to the crisis she's in," she said.

Two years ago, Alisa Suderman was a healthy teen-ager, packing her bags to attend a ballet camp to pursue her life's passion.

But her plans changed when a simple cold that wouldn't go away turned nasty, with nausea, vomiting and eventually a nosebleed that produced blood as thin as water, said Ginger Suderman. Alisa was taken to the emergency room.

"They thought she was anemic," Ginger Suderman said. "They did blood work and in 45 minutes she was dying." Even today doctors do not know what caused the crisis or the resulting complications.

Because Alisa's body was convulsing, doctors placed her in an induced coma and on life support for four weeks, said Ginger Suderman.

The doctors prepared the Sudermans for the worst.

"We all thought she was going to die and they said even if she did wake up she would have complete brain, heart and lung damage," Ginger Suderman said.

When Alisa was brought out of the coma, all her organs recovered except her kidneys. She was forced to have dialysis treatment three times a week until she could have a transplant. In the meantime she had to retrain her body to walk, run, jump and dance.

It was dance that motivated her and kept her going, said Alisa Suderman.

"I want to do ballet again," she said. "It's what I love to do."

Dance also helped in the recovery because all of the years of practice, since she was 4, made her heart and lungs strong. Alisa Suderman said doctors told her that without strong lungs she might not have survived.

Still, the road to recovery was full of potholes, she said.

The transplant took 11 months to arrange and every time she had a dialysis treatment she experienced muscle cramps, fatigue and nausea.

Once the operation was performed in December, Alisa had to return to the hospital every month until May because of complications, which included meningitis.

But since then it has been four months of steady improvement.

Alisa said the lowest point came when a doctor told her that her medication caused her to have diabetes. But the low point was followed by a turning point, when she said she just knew she would get better.

The problem cleared up when different medication was prescribed, and Alisa hasn't been back to the hospital since, except for regular checkups.

There have been other blessings, too.

Her mother had taken a leave of absence to be with Alisa. John Mullen & Co. insurance adjusters, where Ginger Suderman worked, kept paying her medical benefits. After 9/11, the company had to lay off Ginger, but before doing so set up a trust to help pay the mounting medical expenses not covered by insurance.

If Alisa continues to do well, she'll come home Nov. 20 — in time to celebrate Thanksgiving.

The family, which also includes a 20-year-old son, can't think of a more appropriate way to mark her homecoming.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.