Patrick Hora Alves was the first child in Brazil to live with an artificial heart for about 30 days. The director of INC, Marco Antonio Mattos, explains to [[G1]] that Patrick suffered from a genetic disease called [[restrictive cardiomyopathy]], and because of it, he had two blood clots in his heart, and the organ ended up deteriorating after one of the surgeries to remove the clot. The artificial heart could remain in the child's body for up to three months.
The story moved Brazil. The boy didn't know he had an artificial heart and urgently needed a heart transplant.
Patrick received the long-awaited heart on April 15, 2011, after about 30 days using the artificial heart.
The donor had been living with her partner in Barra Mansa for 9 years. According to the Civil Police, the victim suspected her partner was having an affair with her daughter. She found the two in Volta Redonda, in a place known as Beco do Cabelo, in the São Geraldo neighborhood. After an argument, the donor was assaulted by her daughter and partner, [[G1]] informed the police. The aggressor, the donor's daughter, has already been arrested, and investigations are ongoing.
Dr. Andrey Monteiro classified the operation as "a success."
But the moment of young Patrick Hora Alves that moved everyone arrived on the night of May 10, 2011.
The fight for life, especially that of a child, makes us reflect on the meaning of everything. Until when should we fight for life? - Until the end, of course!
Congratulations to the family who faced this hardship. How difficult it is for parents; especially for the mother who celebrated her day on Sunday, it is a very strong pain.
May God console the hearts of the parents, and may we all learn the lesson of this life.
Is so much struggle worth it? "everything is worth it when the soul is not small" Fernando Pessoa
