Infant heart recipient released from hospital - WKRN, Nashville News, Nashville Weather and Sports

A White House infant who underwent a heart transplant earlier this year has been released from the hospital.

Andrew Hagewood was born on February 6 with an enlarged heart.

He underwent a life-saving heart transplant at the end of March at Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville where he has remained hospitalized ever since.

It's been a roller coaster ride for the little boy who has suffered setbacks and complications since the surgery.  

But after many uncertain months, the little boy turned a corner.

"He finally just kind of woke up and started flapping his arms and legs and giving us a smile and doing baby things," said dad Keith Hagewood.

He continued, "It's amazing and shocking, especially since we thought we would never get out of the hospital for this day to be here. It's numbing. We are so overjoyed with all of the support. I didn't think this day would ever come."

Parents Keith and Christy Hagewood told Nashville's News 2 leaving the hospital is bittersweet.  
The couple said the hospital staff has become like family to them.

On Tuesday, ahead of Andrew's release, employees made a sign to hang outside the infant's room with personal messages for him.

Doctors said they believe the little boy's future looks bright.

"He really has a good prognosis now for years to come, so it was certainly worth it but it was a battle at times," Dr. Debra Dodd told Nashville's News 2.

The White House community has shown non-stop support for the Hagewood family.

Supporters have sold thousands of t-shirts to raise money to help cover the family's medical expenses.

A homecoming is planned for the Hagewood family Tuesday night.