San Diego Teen Gets First Double Transplant At Rady Children’s Hospital

A 13-year-old boy is the first at a San Diego children's hospital to ever receive a heart and kidney transplant within days of each other. According to FOX5, Nehemiah Maldonado survived the one-of-a-kind surgery at the renowned Rady Children's Hospital.

“When I first started, I was more sad the whole time, and I don’t know, I just learned to be happy and grateful. And I really am, it’s crazy,” Maldonado told FOX5. He said the toughest part was not fighting for his life but having to watch his parents cry because they were so worried about his health.

“I could barely even function, but I knew I was with him the whole way, sleeping right there by his side. But I just couldn’t function. It’s hard to see your child going through that,” said his mother.

“It’s amazing how a little kid can change everything,” his father added. “A few months ago my son was fighting for his life, now he’s living his life. He’s starting a new chapter. We are all starting a new chapter.”

Maldonado expressed his gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Rady who have treated him so well throughout the challenging process. He and his family will spend the next few months living at San Diego's Ronald McDonald House as he recovers.

Maldonado also said he wants to become a nurse or a therapist when he grows up because he wants kids to feel better about themselves.