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Intestinal Transplant Saves Life After Devastating Crash
17 Jan
Summary
- A car crash left Lacy Boyd with severe intestinal injuries and only 35 inches of small intestine.
- Boyd required 12 hours of daily IV nutrition due to her inability to process food.
- An intestinal transplant at Cleveland Clinic offered Boyd a new chance at a normal life.
On March 19, 2024, Lacy Boyd's family road trip to the Grand Canyon took a terrifying turn when their car hit black ice, resulting in a head-on collision. The crash inflicted severe injuries on Boyd, including extensive damage to her intestines due to a too-tight seatbelt, leaving her with just 35 inches of her small intestine. This resulted in a diagnosis of short bowel syndrome and a dependence on 12 hours of daily IV nutrition.
After a month in the hospital and a year and a half of struggling with her condition, Boyd pursued a potential solution suggested by a surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic. In November 2024, she self-referred and was evaluated by Dr. Masato Fujiki, who proposed an intestinal transplant—a rare and complex procedure with a high threshold for recommendation. Despite the risks, Boyd pursued the transplant.
In July 2025, 16 months after the accident, Boyd received the intestinal transplant at Cleveland Clinic. The 12-hour surgery was successful, followed by three weeks of inpatient recovery and three months of outpatient care. By November 2025, Boyd returned home to Oklahoma, free from her ostomy bag and no longer needing IV nutrition, reclaiming her life and ability to enjoy everyday moments.
