Forty-five days after receiving a life-saving liver transplant, 5-year-old Ezra Toczek finally went home from a Manhattan hospital on September 20. His story originally made headlines last spring when his former preschool teacher, Carissa Fisher, volunteered to be a living donor for Ezra and, as a perfect match, was able to provide him with the liver transplant he desperately needed.
In a touching moment, Ezra received a “certificate of graduation” from the medical personnel in addition to a ceremony filled with singing and bubbles filling the air as he walked down the hallway.
The 5-year-old told WKBW that he felt “good.”
His mother, Karen Toczek, told the outlet that being discharged was “huge,” explaining, “It’s been a lot longer of a road than you know we thought the initial recovery was going to be, we are grateful to be on the other side of that piece. His entire old liver was removed. All he has is the new piece that he got from Carissa.”
Fisher, the generous donor, also stated, “It was good, they said everything went smooth,” adding that while she is working through her recovery, she’s proud she was able to help her young friend.
She remarked, “I guess it gives me a sense of accomplishment. I’m very happy that I could help him. Obviously, everyone else is super excited that he’s feeling better, and he’s getting better.”
As a donor, Fisher spent six weeks in New York City before returning home to Alden in late August.
Ezra’s mother expressed, “Can’t put it into words really, never be able to repay her, you know, and I just love that she’s close enough that she’ll be able to stay in our lives, and really watch him grow.”
They “check in frequently” with Fisher, she said to People, adding that Ezra saw her “a couple of times while she was still recovering in the hospital, and she visited a few more times while she was still in the city for follow-up care.”
Meanwhile, the Toczeks are scheduled to stay in New York City for several weeks as he recovers. The family intends to get together and celebrate once they get home.
Fisher added, “It was fun. It was crazy, and now I can’t wait for Ezra to be home so we can see each other again.”
