As it turns out, it was a game that gave each of the women a new opportunity at life. Thus, it collects in nerve endings and eventually leads to weakness, damaged organs and ultimately, death.
Amyloidosis is hereditary.
Santero's father and brother died from the disease, and her son required a liver transplant two years ago. Several other family members also have the disease and eventually may require a transplant. Since Santero's liver was essentially normal, except that it couldn't metabolize the amyloid protein, physicians declared the liver fit to transplant. The Bismarck, Ark., mother of three and grandmother of nine, was placed on the UNOS transplant waiting list last year after being diagnosed with liver cancer. She was also diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1996.