Local

Family says Lucas, 2, is thriving months after life-saving liver transplant

PITTSBURGH — His story touched people across the nation when 2-year-old Lucas Goeller underwent a life-saving liver transplant at Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. Now, months after the surgery, he’s back home and his family is looking forward to a healthier future for their son.

While 4-year-old Cooper Goeller, Lucas and 6-month-old Jake Goeller, keep their mother of her toes, she never complains. Jessica Goeller considers herself blessed.

FREE APPS | NOW | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

"When I look back at everything that we went through, I'm just amazed that we were able to do it,” she said.

In an effort to find her son Lucas a liver for a transplant that he was in dire need of, Jessica Goeller started the "Save Lucas" campaign on Facebook. The page went viral and reached a Nebraska family who lost their own child and donated her liver to Lucas.

"If God was going to give him a liver, it would be perfect and it would be a perfect fit and it was going to work out,” Jessica Goeller said.

It has worked out. Lucas’ doctors said he’s progressing perfectly.

He undergoes physical therapy twice a week. Chasing bubbles helps Lucas work on reaching up and bending down, while walking up and down steps helps him gain strength. Jessica Goeller said his favorite physical therapy activity is vacuuming, which strengthens his arms and build up his endurance.

"He's like a new little man with a whole new personality with a lot of attitude,” she said.

Jessica Goeller calls Lucas a miracle child.

"There are only things that I've shared with my husband and my mom because it's the type of things that if you go around telling strangers, they may think you're a little bit crazy,” she said.

Crazy or not, she's ready to share those stories.

Jessica Goeller told Channel 11 News that she’s writing a book about the role faith played in Lucas's journey.

"My husband and I we would describe ourselves previously as just 'Sunday Catholics,’ but God had other plans for us,” she said.

Jessica Goeller said her family is a living testament to the power of prayer and hopes others can draw strength from them.

“The book is mainly about all of the little miracles that happened throughout the two years of (Lucas’) life,” she said.

Jessica Goeller said she’s currently working on the book and does not yet have a release date set.

PREVIOUS STORIES:

WPXI

Most Read