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Erika Hernandez, Heart Transplant Patient, Undergoes Successful Operation After Donor Heart Dropped

First Posted: 01/24/2012 8:41 pm Updated: 01/26/2012 10:54 am

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MEXICO CITY - 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 how happy I am."

Hernandez was born with a congenital heart defect. She received the heart of a man who died in a car accident.

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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
evilchihuahua
Crossing the line just because it's there.
5129 Fans
09:05 AM on 01/25/2012
No serious ill effects have been reported so far, but the patient does seem to fall down quite a bit.
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ontariogirl
Power to the People
469 Fans
08:56 AM on 01/25/2012
I'm sure she doesn't really care as long as it works and gives her back her life. Thanks to the donor for making it happen for her.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cedy
not actually funny
187 Fans
 
07:41 AM on 01/25/2012
Her heart dropped upon hearing the news.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Tom Rowland
I thought I was wrong once...but I was mistaken.
190 Fans
06:50 AM on 01/25/2012
Takes a lickin' but keeps on tickin'! That was (in retrospect, now that all's well that ends well) the funniest video...those medics using a plain ol' american beer cooler to haul the heart--with no clamps or latches to secure the lid (and I take that back--more of a "picnic cooler"...no self-respecting american in their right mind would EVER haul their beer around in a cooler without a latching lid...)
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Geauterre
Writer, Author, Commentator and Humorist.
226 Fans
 
06:50 AM on 01/25/2012
Oops. Quick, dust it off, and stab it with stem cells! (Maybe no one will notice . . . )
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
max pain
28 Fans
06:49 AM on 01/25/2012
Takes a beating and keeps on ticking
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
missy mitten
322 Fans
05:41 AM on 01/25/2012
Five second rule.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Tom Rowland
I thought I was wrong once...but I was mistaken.
190 Fans
06:52 AM on 01/25/2012
zactly.
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Neurosurgery Instruments
0 Fans
05:09 AM on 01/25/2012
Its really very interesting and good to watch.

Neurosurgery Instruments
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carolineeaton
I am a Goddess who runs with the wolves
517 Fans
04:09 AM on 01/25/2012
Takes a beating and keeps on ticking. Amazing:). Bounce that heart around.
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spytheweb
1076 Fans
03:42 AM on 01/25/2012
Heart Transplant Successful, but the  Patient died.
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lizsandyotto
12 Fans
11:19 PM on 01/24/2012
Lucky to escape a broken heart.
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Tanrioldu
608 Fans
10:53 PM on 01/24/2012
non-news
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