Alex’s Medical Journey

04/10/2026

Hey guys, it’s been a bit since we’ve posted an update on here - things have just been crazy.

We went to Pittsburgh today to see the new liver doctor. She does not think that Alex being reevaluated and approved for the transplant list would be an easy process or even something that would happen in the next 6 months and could take even longer if it ever happens .

He has an ultrasound of his liver scheduled for August and a 3-month follow-up appointment.

Next week, he has multiple appointments, including a DEXA scan to determine if he has osteoporosis, as well as an appointment to get an insulin pump for his diabetes.

At this point, we are strongly considering transitioning from palliative care to hospice care to improve his quality of life, which at this point is nonexistent.

We’re asking for prayers to help us navigate what to do next!

01/10/2026

Just wanted to jump on here and give a little update on Alex. Currently, he’s still battling infections in both his legs. We have wound care and nurses coming into the house to help keep an eye on them and communicate with the doctors about how the healing process is coming along. We have seen improvement, but they are still infected!

He has been feeling pretty worn down and, because of that, has been spending a lot of time in bed.

He also has physical and occupational therapy coming into the house as well.

Nurses took blood work yesterday, so we’re just waiting on the results from that.

We will be heading to Pittsburgh later this week (tues-fri) to have some testing of his liver done, as well as X-rays of his back and shoulder. We will meet with the back surgeon and the shoulder surgeon to see what our next options are…

Please continue to pray for a miracle.

12/28/2025

Please continue to keep Alex in your thoughts and prayers.

He currently has a double leg infection, and we're treating it with oral antibiotics, ointments, and keeping it clean and dry. He hasn't been feeling well over the last few days, on top of all that. He has been extremely tired lately and has been spending a lot of time in bed. We go to Pittsburgh on Tuesday for some appointments.

The good news is that he was accepted for the home modification program through his insurance, and they are coming first thing tomorrow to see what can be done to the house.

They will be making the bathroom and kitchen accessible for him, widening the doorways so his chair and walker will fit, and fixing the ramp in areas where he has issues with his chair.

Praying that the new year starts a new pattern for us that is upward! God willing!

12/20/2025

Sorry it has been so long since we've posted an update.

We have been spending time with our children and fur-kids, as well as trying to keep up with the fluctuations of his health - some days are good, others not so much - and trying to make and manage all the required medical appointments.

Alex's primary liver doctor has retired, which left us unsure of what to do…

So, we met with our primary care doctor in the meantime and explained that, at the moment, we didn't know if we had a liver specialist or not. (He helped us reach out and get established with a new liver doctor but he cant be seen until the end of thr month)

This led to a discussion about what's next now that Alex no longer qualifies as a liver transplant candidate, and he decided that because he is in end-stage liver failure, they want him to start receiving palliative/hospice care.

Our understanding is that he is not dying tomorrow, but it is a possibility that he will need those services at some point as his condition continues to worsen.

This care will help keep him out of the hospital as much as possible and help with things like hepatic encephalopathy, fluid buildup, infections, pain, nausea, fatigue, and anxiety, as well as try to keep him comfortable.

While this was very disheartening to hear and has taken us a few days to process, we are trying to stay positive and look at this as a good resource to have to help navigate through this difficult time, but ultimately, the goal still remains to get him strong enough to be a candidate for a liver transplant again.

We want to take this time to thank everyone who has been by our side, offering support, prayers, and love, as it all does not go unnoticed, even in our moments of silence while we are trying to figure out what our next steps will be. Please continue to pray 🙏

12/05/2025

Guess what?! Alex has been away from home for 53 days, but his hard work in therapy is paying off and he'll be returning home Tuesday afternoon!!

He still has a lot of work ahead of him. And there are still a lot of unknowns, but we know it will all work out in the end!

11/23/2025

Day 37 … he's pretty out of it, confused, slurring his words, and dozing off.

I talked him into putting his BiPAP on to see if that helps clear him up a little bit, because he had a rough night and didn't wear it all that much, but I'm thinking it's more likely that his ammonia levels are climbing. They are increasing his lactulose again to help lower the ammonia levels.

His poor legs are so red and look like they are extremely painful from fluid retention. They are giving him extra diuretics and another medication that works with them to help push the fluid out of his body, so let's pray that works.

Today he has the day off from therapy. Tomorrow he will be back at it! He's been doing good with it! Definitely exhausts him, but he's making progress even with how he is feeling!

Please keep the prayers coming!

11/08/2025

Keep sharing! There is a match out there!

Did you know you can be a living donor by donating part of your liver, and it will grow back?

There are two forms of living donation.

1. Directed organ donation occurs when your loved one, friend, or community member needs a liver, and you are a match and are able to donate part of your liver to them.

2. Non-directed organ donation occurs when you do not know of a recipient in need but undergo an evaluation and offer to donate to the first person you match with.

They say that when you become a non-directed donor, you often kickstart a paired donation chain. So, do you think you have what it takes to be Alex's or someone else's superhero? Apply today!

Simply go to the following website :

Livingdonorreg.upmc.com

Click interested in donating liver
Donation to: click specific individual
Patient of upmc? Click Yes
Adult or child? Click Adult
Recipient’s name: Type Alex Walter
Answer the remaining questions

For more information on how the process works please check out the links below:

https://www.upmc.com/services/transplant/liver/living-donor/process/before

https://www.upmc.com/services/transplant/liver/living-donor/process

https://www.upmc.com/services/transplant/liver/living-donor/process/after

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact myself and I will help with as much as I can and if I don’t know the answer I will ask!

If you aren’t interested or are unable to donate could you please share as much as possible in hopes we can find a match.

11/06/2025

Sorry it’s been a few days since an update has been made. Today is day 20 in the hospital. Alex had a total of three rapid responses called, plus two more scares while he was in the ICU. He was transferred to the respiratory floor, where they are working on getting him to wear his bi pap machine more. They have changed the settings, masks, etc. He got almost four hours on it last night. They changed his catheter last night. They are working on trying to get the MRI rescheduled. He is retaining a lot of fluid, so they are trying to get it off with the help of IV diuretics. He is very weak right now. They have PT coming in to work with him, but in the setting of the hospital, they can’t do as much as they’d like. They have been able to get him to sit on the edge of the bed and do a partial stand because of the swelling and the pain from his back. But every day is progress. They are hopeful that they will be able to get him to a rehab center after he is well enough to really work on getting stronger. They are trying to help with his mental health, as it’s obviously taking a toll on him being away from home for so long. His body has been through so much. We’re asking for as many prayers as we can get.