A Kentucky teen received a double miracle in the form of a much needed heart and kidney transplant.
What We Know:
- According to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital website, Marquis Davis was born with with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition that rendered the left side of his heart underdeveloped and unable to handle the circulation that his body needs to survive. He received the life-saving surgery earlier in the month on December 2.
- The condition has called for many doctor visits over the years. At just five-days-old, Davis underwent open heart surgery and at three-years-old he had a heart transplant.
- At age 10, Davis’ body began rejecting his heart and one of his kidney’s began to fail. His mother received the devastating news that not only would he need to undergo a second heart transplant but he would also need a kidney as well.
- His mother, Sherri Withrow says he’s weathered it all like a pro. “He’s a fighter,” she said. “He never shows signs of giving up.” Davis’ sister says that she admires the fact that he has been fighting his entire life yet never complains.
- Doctors were doubtful of Davis surviving the second heart transplant without a kidney to pair alongside. But, thanks to this Christmas miracle, Doctor Clifford Chin, medical director of pediatric heart transplant at the hospital, says he has the best chance for long-term survival.
Davis underwent 17 long hours of surgery and is expected to be released in February.
