Gabriel
Heart Recipient

We learned that Gabriel would need a heart transplant before he was born.

Gabriel was born big and strong and was transferred to The Children’s Hospital (TCH) about 36 hours after he entered the world.  When he arrived at TCH, the transplant team worked around the clock to evaluate him, confirm his diagnosis and establish a plan of action.  Within 24 hours, Gabriel was listed on the UNOS transplant list.  We were told that the wait for a heart could be anywhere from three to six months and we prepared ourselves for the duration.  

Gabriel received his new heart thirteen days after coming into the world. When his new heart started beating on its own, there were shouts of joy in the waiting room.

When we were allowed in to see Gabriel, it was a shock.  He was swollen to about three times his normal size and had IV’s in at least eight different places.  There were so many medications flooding his little body but it was easy to see beyond the trauma of his surgery because we knew this was his only chance at survival.  He remained swollen for quite a few days but eventually returned to normal.  He opened his eyes, got his chest closed up and the ventilator removed.  In less than a week, he was moved out of the Cardiac ICU and into the Infant Care Center.  We brought him home 11 days after his transplant.

Today, Gabriel is doing very well and has accepted his new heart wonderfully.  We know that part of the reason he has done so well is due to our diligence in giving him his medication as we were instructed, keeping him away from illnesses and washing our hands well.  Being extra cautious with him has paid off for us.

Sometimes I listen to his heart beat through a stethoscope as he sleeps and know that if it weren’t for someone making the decision to donate life, I would not have my son.”