Walter Wailes notches big milestone after lifesaving liver transplant four years ago

Without having received a lifesaving liver transplant as an infant, four-year-old Walter Wailes would have not reached the big milestones awaiting him this week.

Without having received a lifesaving liver transplant as an infant, four-year-old Walter Wailes would have not reached the big milestones awaiting him this week.

Walter recently celebrated his four-year donor liver transplant anniversary and is now preparing to start kindergarten Clifton Springs Preschool on Monday.

Mum Jessica Wailes said her son, who also turns five on Wednesday, has “overcome so much” in his short life.

“I think it’s pretty amazing to see where he is now, and for him to be as healthy as is, no one would ever guess he was sick as a baby,” Ms Wailes said.

Walter Wailes, who turns five next week, recently celebrated his 4-year donor liver transplant anniversary. Picture: Mike Dugdale

When he was just nine weeks old, Walter was diagnosed with biliary atresia.

The life-threatening condition prevents toxins and waste products from leaving the body.

With Walter suffering liver failure, dad Evan nominated to become his live liver donor – which would have made him the first father to donate part of his liver to his child in Australia.

The operation was scheduled for December 20 in 2016, but hours before the surgery the family received a phone call to say a deceased donor liver had become available.

“It was pretty amazing, I thought for sure we weren’t getting a donor, I never thought that would happen,” Ms Wailes said.

“The timing was incredible, I just thought it was a miracle.”

At 10 months old and after 100 days on the wait list, Walter finally received a new liver.

Walter after his liver transplant surgery. Picture: supplied.

Following the 14-hour operation, Walter spent the next 13 days in ICU, and a another 10 in hospital before heading home.

He was on “around the clock” medication and a drainage tube for another three months.

“Those first three months were the hardest, it wasn’t until about 12 months after that things felt more normal again,” Ms Wailes said.

Now, having recently just celebrated his four-year donor anniversary – the “super healthy” boy is doing better than ever.

“From a medical perspective he’s going so well – he still gets his blood done routinely, takes medication twice a day, but for him that’s all he knows life to be and it’s fine,” Ms Wailes said.

Walter Wailes, who turns five next week, recently celebrated his 4-year donor liver transplant anniversary. With sister Luella, 6, and parents Jessica and Evan. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“He doesn’t think twice about it, he loves his scar, he knows that someone has given him his liver and he think it’s the best thing ever.”

Ms Wailes encouraged others to educate themselves on the myths of organ donations.

“I think some people have false ideas around organ donation,” she said.

“You just pray that people make the decision to donate – once it happened for us it obviously saved Walter’s life.

“It has given him the opportunity to be a little boy, he has lots to offer to everybody, his donor family should be so proud.”

More than 1700 Australians are currently waitlisted for an organ transplant.

For more information about organ donation visit www.donatelife.gov.au.

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Originally published as Walter Wailes notches big milestone after lifesaving liver transplant four years ago