Local Boys Recovering After Receiving Organ Donations From Nebraska Girl
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Two local boys are recovering after receiving much-needed organ donations.
Children's Hospital reports both boys are stable and in fair condition one day after their transplants.
From his window at Children's Hospital, Angelo Giorno's dads say they can see the American flag, and as the Fourth of July approaches, they're happy to celebrate their son's intestine transplant.
"Today, he's doing remarkably well," said Dean Kuhns, Angelo's dad. "He actually wants to get out of bed, and the doctors were in and they said he was doing remarkably well, so keep saying prayers and so far we're going in the right direction."
Next door to Angelo on the 5th floor of Children's is Lucas Goeller, who's recovering after a liver transplant.
"Pretty good," said Rick Goeller, Lucas's father, about his son's progress. "He's being weaned off some blood pressure medication, which is a good sign."
Both boys received an organ from Olivia, a 4-year-old girl from Nebraska, who died of terminal brain cancer. When her mother learned of Lucas' story, she made what she describes as the hardest decision ever, to donate Olivia's organs. Lucas received her liver, Angelo received her intestines. And Angelo, who was also in need of a liver, no longer needs one.
"That's what the doctor come in this morning and said - his liver is fine and as soon as the intestines heal, he should be a normal little boy," said Dean Kuhns, Angelo's dad.
Lucas's parents are happy to see their son with a smaller stomach- his mom Jess Goeller, posted a picture on facebook Thursday morning. Lucas's old liver caused the toddler's tummy to expand, but not anymore.
Added Jess Goeller, "It actually will get a lot smaller as some of the fluid drains out, and as he builds some muscle tone, so it was nice to see. I guess his liver was as large as a football."
Angelo's and Lucas's parents say they are grateful for the donations from Olivia and they look forward to meeting her mom in person.
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