Local student in need of liver transplant

Shelby Reeves, Chillicothe Gazette
·2 min read

CHILLICOTHE — Months ago Wyatt Taylor was just like any other freshman at Huntington High School playing baseball, hunting and spending time with his family. Now, due to a rare condition, he is waiting for a liver transplant.

Taylor was born with a condition that causes the muscle that separates the chest and abdomen to fail to close as it normally should. This led to an obstruction causing a backflow of blood into the liver which caused irreversible damage.

His mother, Holly Taylor, said they knew about the obstruction when he was born but it wasn't until 2021 after her son was experiencing dizziness and was taken to a cardiologist who performed an MRI. This and further imaging showed the damage in his liver and confirmed a transplant would be needed.

Wyatt Taylor is waiting for a liver transplant to replace his that was damaged beyond repair because of a blockage when he was young.
Wyatt Taylor is waiting for a liver transplant to replace his that was damaged beyond repair because of a blockage when he was young.

Taylor is waiting for his medical team to find a liver that will best match his body. In the meantime, he and his mother both "have anxiety and are nervous" about the situation. While doctors have been explaining the process to help them better understand what will happen, his mother still struggles not being able to fix her son's problems. Wyatt said knowing he is on the transplant list, which took time and several evaluations, has helped ease some of his stress.

"We just have to wait," Taylor said.

Once a matching liver is found Taylor will have an extended hospital stay as he is monitored closely. Once released he will still be required to visit Columbus often to be checked on. He also will need to be on new medications to help prevent liver rejection and boost his immune system.

To help the family over 50 vendors will be set up at Huntington High School to help raise money for Taylor with a special raffle. The craft bazaar will take place 1-6 p.m. during the annual Holiday Classic Wrestling Tournament Thursday at Huntington High School.

Taylor said he has felt so much love from the community with people reaching out to help and offer their prayers. Some of the people remember him from his childhood health issues as well and he said it is nice to know they still care.

"It's really nice to know I have people there for me," Taylor said.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Huntington High School student awaits liver transplant