A family in Missouri is grappling with heartbreak following the removal of their seven-month-old son, who has Down syndrome, from an organ transplant waiting list.
Wesley and Ashley Breznik recently received the devastating news that their baby, Barrett, was no longer eligible for a liver transplant at a Kansas City medical facility.
In an interview with Fox 4 KC, Barrett’s mother revealed that her son is currently reliant on a ventilator for survival, and without this critical support, his life expectancy could be drastically shortened.
Wesley expressed their dire situation to the news outlet, stating, “We understand the severity of his condition. It’s straightforward for us… if he gets a transplant, he has a chance at life. If not, he doesn’t. That’s why we’re doing everything possible.”
Barrett previously underwent surgery in November to address a heart condition, but post-operative complications led to multiple infections.
Two months following his heart surgery, Barrett was diagnosed with cirrhosis, necessitating an urgent liver transplant to ensure his survival.
Although his medical team initially placed him on the transplant list, Barrett developed another bloodstream infection and was made inactive on March 4 while doctors worked to clear it.
His mother said doctors planned to reevaluate his status a week later and that his most recent blood cultures had since come back negative.
Wesley and Ashley Breznik were told this month that their son, Barrett, had been removed from the liver transplant list in Kansas City
Barrett underwent surgery in November for a heart condition and battled a series of infections following the procedure
However, Barrett’s care team ultimately determined that he was too sick to undergo a liver transplant.
‘I was devastated. To get a little hope and then, seemingly, in like a week, 10 days just ripped away,’ Wesley said. ‘And that’s not their fault, they’re trying to do their best that they can do.’
Both of Barrett’s parents work in the medical field, his father a paramedic and his mother a nurse practitioner.
Ashley said they have contacted about ten hospitals with assistance from the Children’s Mercy pediatric ICU team, which has been helping coordinate outreach to other facilities. They’re waiting to hear back about alternative options for treatment.
‘For us, it’s a pretty simple thing here…if he can get one and survive, he lives. If he doesn’t get one, he doesn’t live,’ said Wesley. ‘So, for us, it’s a no brainier, that’s why we’re trying everything we can.’
At this point, Ashley said she is just hoping for more time with her son.
‘We fully understand how sick he is,’ his mother said. ‘It’s all so overwhelming. We just want to make sure we have no stone left unturned and that we’ve done everything we can and advocated for him.’
Barrett was diagnosed with cirrhosis two months after his surgery and now needs a new liver to survive
Barrett’s care team ultimately determined that he was too sick to undergo a liver transplant after he was diagnosed with another blood infection
Meanwhile, the community has rallied around the family, creating ‘Barrett Strong‘ hats, shirts, and sweatshirts, with all proceeds going to the Brezniks.
A GoFundMe has also been created to help the family cover medical bills.
