Erika Hernandez, 28, waves from inside an ambulance after being discharged from the hospital where she had a heart transplant in Mexico City, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Updated: Wednesday, 25 Jan 2012, 6:33 AM EST
Published : Wednesday, 25 Jan 2012, 6:33 AM EST
MEXICO CITY (AP) — A heart that was dropped on the ground while being transported to a hospital has been successfully transplanted into a 28-year-old hair stylist.
Dr. Jaime Saldivar says Erika Hernandez doesn't yet know that her new heart made national news when a medic stumbled and the plastic-wrapped heart tumbled out of a cooler onto the street two weeks ago.
Saldivar says it will be up to the family to tell her.
A rosy-cheeked Hernandez spoke briefly with reporters on Tuesday and thanked the donor's family, saying "I have no words to express what I'm feeling right now."
Hernandez was born with a congenital heart defect. She received the heart of a man who died in a car accident.
Ground rules for posting comments: No profanity or personal attacks. Please keep comments focused on the subject of the story. Posts that violate the rules will be removed. Keep it civil.
Email This
Print This
View Story on a Single Page