NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
Today marks the day the Hagewood family and White House, TN, have waited for, for a long time - Andrew Hagewood is finally home from the hospital.
After a successful heart transplant for Andrew in March, the baby's story has brought the entire community together.
The day was a beautiful one for a homecoming and it started at Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital where a family leaving ended a long journey.
Those chunky thighs and that hearty body, every inch of Andrew is a miracle.
"His prognosis now is very good I think," said Vanderbilt Dr. Debra Dodd. "He had a lot of setbacks, but all of those have been completely resolved."
For eight and a half months, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital has been home for Andrew and his parents.
Hours after he was born it became clear that Andrew needed a heart transplant.
Since the transplant there have been ups and downs. Now he is going home.
"Last week he finally just kind of woke up and started flapping his arms and slapping his legs and giving us a smile and doing baby things," said Keith Hagewood, Andrew's dad.
"That has been our greatest high. There's something new with him every day."
Even the fresh air was new as Andrew left Vanderbilt with his parents and siblings. It was his first time outside.
Now the Hagewoods have become ardent advocates of organ donations.
After more than eight long months, the doctors, nurses and staff at Vanderbilt are family, and now as Andrew returns homes for the first time, they leave with heartfelt gratitude.
"We will be together as a family," said Keith Hagewood. "We have hope and we won't have anybody watching over us, except God and ourselves watching over our son.
"This part of our journey is complete."
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