HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida teen was reunited, Tuesday, with the surgical team who gave him a new heart, last month.
Fourteen-year-old Estefano Reano was born with just one working chamber, and after five surgeries, doctors knew that only a transplant could save Reano’s life.
So when he blew out his birthday candles in November, Estefano wished for one thing: a new heart. Then, just 30 minutes later, the Pediatric Heart Transplant department at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital called him to say they had a heart for him.
“I was very surprised, very surprised and very happy because I did not expect it to come on my birthday,” Estefano said.
Before receiving his new heart, Estefano’s activities were limited.
“Like, when I run and do sports, that I have to go in in like 10 minutes, when I want to go out for a couple hours,” Estefano said.
After the successful surgery, Estefano now has very few restrictions.
Dr. Frank Scholl said he felt honored to perform the transplant.
“To give somebody a second chance at life is truly an honor and a privilege and a really amazing thing to be a part of,” Scholl said.
Without a new heart, doctors said, the Weston teenager would have died.
“I think the reason why he’s here today is because he is so feisty, and his personality is one of somebody that’s a survivor, and the perseverance is pretty amazing,” Scholl said.
Before the transplant, Estefano couldn’t travel. Now that he’s healthy, he said the first thing he wants to do is visit his father in Peru. He hasn’t seen him in five years.
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