As Sergio Arias Cestoni returned Thursday to North Shore College Hospital, the 47-year-old couldn’t assist however bear in mind the despair he felt throughout three lengthy months preventing for his life there.
“I used to think sometimes, ‘Just let me go home and I am going to die,'” stated Arias Cestoni.
Dealing with coronary heart, kidney and liver failure in late 2024, the Hollis resident’s solely hope was a uncommon and extremely uncommon triple transplant. The percentages have been in opposition to him.
“But it happened. Miracles exist,” stated Arias Cestoni.
The El Salvador native resides proof of that miracle. The transplants have been performed in February throughout a 14-hour surgical procedure wherein 13 surgeons and two groups of nurses all contributed to avoid wasting his life.
“Listening to Sergio talking today is very rewarding to all of us. It’s why we’re doing this,” stated Dr. Ahmed Fahmy.
The triple transplant the Northwell docs helped carry out was one among solely about 80 performed nationwide over the past 20 years. On this specific case, all three organs got here from the identical unidentified donor.
“To have all three be a match for him is indeed a miracle,” stated Dr. Nabil Dagher.
“I can feel my heart beating now, strong,” Arias Cestoni stated with amusing.
Docs stated diabetes had been the basis reason behind all Arias Cestoni’s well being points. However now, he and his spouse have a second likelihood at life, and to chase the goals they thought have been misplaced endlessly.
“I feel so proud to get all these organs and to honor my donor,” he stated.
The highway forward accommodates challenges: Arias Cestoni now takes near 40 tablets a day to make sure his physique doesn’t reject its new organs. However he sees solely alternatives shifting ahead.
“Now is different…I hope everything from life,” he stated.
