Boy's double heart transplant joy

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/7132974.stm

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A 14-year-old schoolboy has beaten the odds by surviving two heart transplants within days of each other.

Adam Allbutt underwent the first operation in October at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, after suffering congenital heart problems.

But he suffered a heart attack and another heart had to be found.

Adam is now making excellent progress and is ready to go home to Stoke-on-Trent. He said he was happy to be alive and thanked hospital staff.

He said: "Up until recently I couldn't do anything - just watch TV, but for the last few weeks I have been making Christmas decorations.

"I feel fine and am happy to be alive. I'd like to thank the hospital and my donors for giving me my life back."

We were told that Adam was critically ill and just had to live from hour to hour. Lynnette Allbutt

Within a few days of having his first operation Adam collapsed and suffered a massive heart attack.

Doctors spent 105 minutes massaging his heart until they revived him. He was then put on a heart support machine until another heart was found.

Dr Richard Kirk, consultant paediatric cardiologist at the hospital, said Adam had been extremely lucky.

He said: "He has been through a lot in the last few months - in that time he has had a new valve and had to be put on an artificial heart pump system.

"But he has come through fighting."

Adam's mother Lynnette said: "We were told that Adam was critically ill and just had to live from hour to hour. He is a miracle and inspiration."