General Hospital
Was GH's Toddler Transplant realistic? L.A. Times questions it!
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Daytime soaps are in the news again, and this time it’s not about another cancellation, but of the validity of the recent medical drama on General Hospital involving a brain-dead Jake donating his kidney to baby Josslyn.
The Los Angeles Times today has a very interesting breakdown of the reality of the medical nightmare that faced the children and their parents. The item is written by Marc Siegal who is a associate professor of medicine and medical director of Doctor Radio at NYU Langone Medical Center.
Here is just an excerpt of what Siegal had to say: “If the patient (Jake) loses all essential brain function, he or she could certainly be a kidney donor, provided that blood pressure is maintained at reasonable levels so the kidneys don’t get damaged. However, it’s very unlikely that Josslyn, with cancer in both her kidneys, would require or qualify for a transplant. Kidney cancer in a young child is usually a Wilms tumor, says Dr. William Carroll, professor of pediatric oncology and director of the NYU Cancer Institute. It is generally highly curable with a combination of chemotherapy, partial kidney removal and sometimes radiation. Even if a cancer develops in the remaining kidney, a transplant would still not be indicated. “I’ve never heard of a kidney transplant being needed or used in such a case,” Carroll says.
Unfortunately, Jake’s tragic case and the futile attempt to save him are both fairly realistic. But kidney transplants in infants — along with tortured plots in which ex-lovers with embattled pasts and gravely sick children come together to make heart-rending decisions — occur far more often on “General Hospital” than in the real world.”
Breaking News
DAYS and GH Director Joe Behar Passes Away at 94
Joseph Behar was heavyweight director in daytime drama having worked on both Days of our Lives and General Hospital and now comes word of his passing. Behar passed away on June 26th at the age of 94.
According to his obit, he died at his home in Manhattan Beach, California.
Joe spent the the bulk of his career directing Days of Our Lives and General Hospital. He actually directed the pilot episode of General Hospital back in 1963, then came back the ABC daytime drama series 30 years later to direct it for more than 10 more years,.
Along the way, he won 5 Daytime Emmys for his work on GH, and had won six overall throughout his career. He continued directing until his retirement back in 2005.
Behar’s career started on the Ernie Kovacs Show and he also directed Let’s Make a Deal. and more.
Photo: JPI
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn and his sons, Jeffrey, Steven and Greg Behar and his grandchildren, Alex, Mallory, Niko and Lydia.
Watch an interview with Joe via the TV Academy on his career including working with Frances Reid (Ex-Alice, DAYS), the pace of directing in daytime and more below.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Joe and his family in the comment section.
General Hospital
GH’s James Patrick Stuart Releases His New Album ‘Clean Slate’
On Thursday, the highly-anticipated nine song set from General Hospital’s James Patrick Stuart (Valentin Cassadine) dropped on Apple Music
The album entitled “Clean Slate” features the tracks: “Look Out Below”, “My Funny Friend”, “Can U Feel Me?”, “World of Good”, “Don’t Tell Me”, “I Burn For You”, “Always Love You”, “Another Time”, and “My One and Only Love”.
Photo: japastuTwitter
Fans of General Hospital, always love when James performs at the Nurses Ball’ but now here, Stuart delivers several original songs with his unique vocal style that make it unmistakable JPS.
Check out a preview of the album below.
Now, let us know if you will be adding “Clean Slate” to your playlists and more via the comment section below.
General Hospital
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I mentioned on a msg. board before this article came out that it was unrealistic–my niece had this same problem as Joss and transplant was never brought up. The way the writers kept going on and on about chemo and it being poison–well it’s that poison that saves a huge number of people. The whole s/l was crazy and just had me shaking my head especially when by the end of the wk the child was shown sitting up with no ill effects–uh no.
Just another example of GH and it’s weird way of presenting things.
The timing of Jake death and Josslyn’s transplant was too quick. Josslyn was not in danger of immediate deaath from Wilms tumor. She should have been placed on chemotherapy until doctors determined if Jake and Josslyn’s blood types were compatable. All of these tests cannot be performed in a day. IMHO, Jake’s death leading to Josslyn’s transplant was totally unrealistic. BJ’s death and Maxie’s transplant was written with a stronger purpose. Jake’s death and Josslyn’s transplant is hurried and didjointed, leaving this viewer extrenely disappointed in TPTB of GH. I know Guza can do better. It seems like Guza’s given… Read more »