After learning that Gwen’s Kasai surgery was only partially successful, her team of doctors determined a liver transplant was the only course of action. She immediately began a three day evaluation period at Children’s hospital. This period was filled with various testing and meetings with her transplant team to determine where she would fall on the transplant list. As part of her transplant preparation, her doctor’s wanted Gwen to go on an accelerated vaccination program. In the middle of August 2024, Gwen was added to the transplant list as inactive. Her inactive status meant she was on the list but not eligible to receive any donor offers until her vaccination program was complete. Fortunately for Gwen, her time spent as “inactive” on the transplant list would count towards her wait time once she was eligible to go active. 

As the Cooper family anxiously waited for Gwen’s transplant status to go active, there was plenty to do to prepare for a transplant. In addition to an accelerated vaccination schedule, Gwen started physical therapy to help build her core strength to prepare for surgery. She also was placed on a strict feeding schedule (by mouth and by ng tube) in order to help her gain as much weight as possible. Gwen officially went active on the transplant list in mid October 2024. 

Shortly after Gwen’s transplant status was changed to active, she was matched with a living donor from a family friend. Gwen and her family waited anxiously for her surgery date. In order to create as sterile an environment as possible, the Cooper family made the decision to quarantine in their home in mid November. 

On November 25th, 2024 Gwen successfully underwent a transplant surgery to receive her new liver! Her doctor’s were impressed by Gwen’s progress and she was able to return home on December 6th after a shorter than expected hospital stay. Gwen came home on a strict medication routine, had her blood drawn twice a week, and saw her transplant doctor weekly. In order to reduce her exposure to germs, the Cooper family quarantined at home until the beginning of January 2025. 

Since her transplant, Gwen has started saying mama and babbling a lot more. She is crawling and able to pull herself up into a standing position independently. She is learning new skills and getting stronger everyday!