America: Parents of five-month-old Henry born with half a heart post amazing live updates of transplant

Live-blogged: Parents Mollie and Sam Dolan shared with the world the life-changing moment Henry was given a new heart.
Mollie and Sam Dolan.
Francesca Gillett16 October 2016

The brave parents of a five-month-old baby boy born with just half a heart today shared with the world the life-changing moment their son was given a heart transplant.

Mollie and Sam Dolan live-blogged their son Henry’s life-changing heart surgery with a series of videos and photos which have been watched by thousands.

Little Henry weighed just two pounds and 11 ounces when he was born premature in May this year.

Shortly after he was diagnosed with two severe heart defects, meaning he just had had half a heart and only one major artery coming out of the heart instead of two.

Life-changing: Mollie Dolan yesterday posted: “WE GOT A HEART!!!!!!” before baby Henry was rushed into surgery.
Mollie and Sam Dolan.

The family have waited anxiously for a new heart, while tiny Henry has built up the strength to be ready for the operation.

Mr and Mrs Dolan, from Minnesota in the US, today posted live updates on their Facebook page with photos and videos of the infant in the operating room.

They posted photos of his old and new hearts, the doctors operating on him and a machine used to keep blood pumping around his body.

It has been a whirlwind 24 hours for the couple, who 22 hours ago posted: “WE GOT A HEART!!!!!!” before baby Henry was rushed into surgery.

They added: "Oh my goodness! I have no words. Please be praying for us and the donor family as we know they are going through unimaginable grief."

Surgery: The parents recorded videos of some of the surgery which they posted online
Mollie and Sam Dolan.

On their Facebook page, called Hope for Henry, Mrs Dolan warned people watching that she would be posting photos from the surgery.

She said: “Just a pre-warning, I do intend to post pictures and videos from surgery throughout the day.

“So if you have a weak stomach, you may want to avoid his posts for the remainder of the day.”

Tiny: Henry was born premature and weighed just 2 pounds 11 ounces when he was born.

Her first photo showed doctors surrounding the bed and handling tubes and wires where tiny Henry was not visible under the sheet.

Other posts showed photos of the tools used in the surgery – as well a photo of the new heart with the words: “Our beautiful most precious gift.”

In her most recent post, put online at around 7.30pm UK time, Mrs Dolan wrote: “This video is of Henry's perfect beat, to his new heart.

“The surgeon just came in to visit with us. They're all finished. He said everything went according to plan, with no surprises.

“However, we are still having a little issues with rhythm. He has a temporary pacemaker until things settle out!

“God is good. Thank you Jesus! Thank you prayer warriors!

“We are still waiting to be reunited.”

She told the Standard: “It’s been quite an amazing day”.

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