Transplant miracle: Mum shares baby's first heartbeat after life-saving operation
The mother of a five-month-old boy who underwent a heart transplant in the US has filmed the moment her son’s new organ beats for the first time.
Little Henry Dolan has spent his entire life in hospital, after doctors discovered two serious heart conditions following his birth in May.
After an anxious wait for a donor heart, Henry was rushed into surgery on Sunday.
His parents, Mollie and Sam, have recorded their son’s journey and posted photos of the six-hour operation to their Facebook page ‘Hope for Henry’.
An incredible video shows Henry’s new heart beating for the first time, as doctors in the Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, worked tirelessly to reconnect vessels in the tiny heart.
One day after the operation, Mrs Dolan updated to say the recovery process so far had been “rough”.
“He is retaining a lot of fluid which is normal post op,” she wrote.
“The staff is busy making changes by the minute, to better support him. We were told to remember, he was really sick going into the operation, so of course he is going to be pretty sick afterwards too.”
While the news of a donor heart was exciting news for Mrs Dolan, she said it was a bittersweet moment.
"I have no words. Please be praying for us and the donor family as we know they are going through unimaginable grief. How amazing that they have chosen to give life!"
A GoFundMe page has been started for Henry, Mollie and Sam to help cover medical expenses.
To donate, click here. To keep updated with Henry’s progress, visit their Facebook page.
