Student Discusses Liver Transplant

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By MacLeod Hageman

Story Published: Sep 29, 2011 at 7:02 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 30, 2011 at 1:33 PM MDT

BILLINGS - A Billings mom says all she has to do is look to her young son to know birthday wishes indeed come true.

Jake Wittak is nearly 11 years old and lives a normal life thanks to his 28-year-old liver. "This boy named Michael was 17, and he died by his heart. So doctors cut a small portion and gave his liver to me and the rest went to another guy. They saved two lives with one liver," transplant survivor; Jake Wittak said.

Jake was born with biliary atresia, a disease that affects the liver, and often results in death unless a donated liver is available. "When they told me he needed a transplant, I thought the world was ending, I really did," Jake's mom; Deanna Wittak said.

Jake was admitted to Denver Children's Hospital September 11, 2001. Less than a month later, the family's prayers were answered. "I told one of the doctors that it was my birthday, and I wanted a liver. He said that he would see what he could do. At 12:30 that morning, I got the phone call that the liver was available," Deanna said.

Jake had several complications after his surgery, and at one point doctors thought he would die unless he received another transplant. Days later, the problems went away, and the happy, healthy boy was ready to go home. "I went into the I.C.U., and he was standing up in his crib, holding on to the bars, jumping up and down and yelling. The doctor said this kid is too healthy, get him out of here because he's disrupting the other patients. So there we had our second miracle," Deanna said.

He says when he grows up he would like to carry on the family tradition and enlist in the armed forces. "I really want to be an Army Ranger medic. I just want to carry on the tradition, and I think medics are awesome," Jake said.

Jake stays healthy with the help of five different medications and annual doctor visits. Other than a few side effects from the medicine, Deanna says Jake lives a very normal life. Doctors say the cause of the rare liver disease is unknown and affects nearly one in 18,000 babies.

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Linda Leligdowicz said on Thursday, Sep 29 at 10:47 PM

We lost our daughter Joy 33 years ago from the same disease. I wish they found the cause but glad they have improved the survival of it. You are awesome Jake!!

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