The hospital made an announcement two weeks after the surgery on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Slayman, a 62-year-old manager with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, has departed. Slayman, who was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease last year, expressed gratitude in a statement, mentioning that he is in good health and will continue to rehabilitate at home with his family. “This is one of the happiest moments of my life,” he said.
The transplant surgeon, Tatsuo Kawai, anticipates that the pig kidney transplanted into Slayman will function for at least two years. In the event of failure, Slayman may have to undergo dialysis once again.
This surgery marks the third xenotransplant of animal organs into a living person. The first two heart transplants were conducted on living patients, both of whom passed away several weeks after the procedure.
Slayman expressed his appreciation for the support he received following his surgery, particularly from other patients awaiting a kidney donation. “Today marks a new beginning, not just for me but for them as well,” Slayman told CNN.
