A mother in Utah has made the extraordinary decision to donate part of her liver to save her newborn son, who was diagnosed with a rare liver disease just hours after birth. Ashlynn Moss welcomed her son Luka in 2023, but medical professionals quickly identified unsettling symptoms, which ultimately led to a devastating diagnosis.
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Shortly after his birth, Luka displayed elevated bilirubin levels, a condition that can cause jaundice, resulting in a yellowing of the skin and eyes. “After Luka was born, he appeared healthy, but they noticed his jaundice levels were higher,” Moss recounted, reflecting on the initial concerns raised by the medical team. As time progressed, Luka’s health declined significantly, leading to further examinations that revealed alarming complications.
An ultrasound indicated that Luka lacked both a gallbladder and the necessary bile ducts, the connecting tubes vital for the normal functioning of the liver, gallbladder, and small intestine. At just two weeks old, he underwent his first biopsy, which ultimately confirmed the rare diagnosis of biliary atresia, a condition that can lead to severe liver damage if untreated. Ashlynn described her feelings of desperation as she witnessed her baby boy’s deterioration. “As his disease progressed and I saw how truly sick he was getting, I was desperate, and I did not care what it took to save him,” she stated.
In an attempt to alleviate Luka’s condition, doctors performed a Kasai surgery, which involved replacing the blocked bile ducts with a portion of Luka’s small intestine. Unfortunately, this procedure did not bring the expected improvement, and Ashlynn grew increasingly worried about her son’s health. “He went downhill very quickly,” she remembered. The family initially had an opportunity to receive a liver from a deceased donor, but when that option fell through, Ashlynn made a courageous decision: she would become a living donor.
Luka’s father, Hayden, was tested as a potential donor but was deemed unsuitable due to his body mass index. This left Ashlynn as the only viable option, and after undergoing compatibility tests herself, she found herself to be a match. “I decided to be the bravest scared mum I could have been,” she reflected on her choice to proceed with the donation.
The surgery took place in June 2024, and despite the emotional weight of the situation, Ashlynn felt a sense of determination. “The day of my operation, I was actually excited… I just wanted him to feel better,” she described. The procedure involved the removal of 22% of her left lobe, which was then carefully transferred to Luka’s surgical team at a nearby children’s hospital. Luka’s operation was extensive, lasting around eight hours.
Following the transplant, Ashlynn experienced a moment that felt surreal. After a three-day recovery, she was able to walk into her son’s hospital room, greeted by the sight of him on the mend. “It was out-of-body to know what we had both just been through, and that he was on his way to recovery and doing well,” she said, capturing the emotion of their reunion.
Since the transplant, Luka’s condition has markedly improved. “Luka’s current state is he’s healthy. He’s hitting his milestones as a toddler,” Hayden commented, conveying the family’s immense relief. As they adjust to their new normal, Ashlynn shared her deep feelings for her son: “I just want him to know how unconditionally loved he is and that there were no questions that I would do something for him or any of my children again if I needed to.”
The Moss family’s journey highlights not only the challenges that arise from rare medical conditions but also the profound love and resilience that can emerge from such trials. Their story serves as a testament to the lengths a parent will go to in order to protect and nurture their child. Luka’s thriving health is a beacon of hope, illuminating the power of familial love and the incredible possibilities of medical interventions.