Sofia will remain at Lurie for a few weeks to recover, before spending six to eight weeks at the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago. Julianne Bardele, a Lurie spokeswoman, said this is common for Lurie patients, as the house is close to the hospital for follow-up appointments, and it’s easier for doctors to monitor their patients’ post-operation progress.<doc-sep>'She received a really good, strong heart': Downers Grove girl in recovery after transplant A week after meeting Canadian rapper Drake, Sofia Sanchez, 11, of Downers Grove, has been granted her second birthday wish: a new heart. COURTESY OF JAN TERRY, LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL Drake takes a selfie with 11-year-old Sofia Sanchez, a Downers Grove girl who is a heart patient at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. Courtesy of Lurie Children's Hospital Canadian rap star Drake surprised 11-year-old Sofia Sanchez on Aug. 20 in her hospital room at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. Sofia, who is from Downers Grove, was in surgery Monday receiving a new heart. Courtesy of Lurie Children's Hospital Eleven-year-old heart patient Sofia Sanchez is in recovery after undergoing a sudden and successful heart transplant Monday. "Sofia is out of surgery! Surgery went well. She received a really good, strong heart," Julie Bizup Price posted on the Go Fund Me page for Sofia, saying the update was from Natalie Sanchez. "They will keep her asleep for the remainder of the night. Thank you for your prayers. God is good." "The surgery went extremely well," pediatric cardiovascular surgeon Carl Backer, who performed the surgery, said in a statement. "As with all heart transplants, the next 24-48 hours will be critical, but the heart seemed happy in its new home." Sofia, whose birthday was Aug. 18, spent the last eight weeks awaiting a heart transplant at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. In a video posted on her cousin's Facebook page Sunday, Sofia said she remained hopeful that she would be getting a new heart soon. Moments later, her family gave her the good news that her wish had been granted. "I'm getting a heart, Mom!" Sofia is seen saying on a video released by the hospital. The news came a week after her favorite musical artist, Drake, fulfilled Sofia's first birthday wish by stopping by her hospital room. The new heart was her second birthday wish. Sofia was "in good spirits" and "happy" going into the early morning surgery, Natalie Sanchez said in a phone interview. The surgery took nine hours, according to a statement from the hospital, and she was back in her hospital room by 6 p.m. "She's excited to get this over with and move forward with her life," her mother said. "She just wants to get back to the things she loves." An earlier update on the GoFundMe page says Sofia's family hopes she will be able to return home by Thanksgiving, after a couple of weeks of recovery and six to eight weeks at the Ronald McDonald House. Her mother said she and her family are relieved the surgery went well but are now preparing to support Sofia during her recovery. "The surgery went well; we're hoping for good recovery," Natalie said. "It's not like you get a new heart and you're cured. It's still going well, but, you know, it's a roller coaster." Sofia was diagnosed this summer with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle that often leads to heart failure. She underwent open heart surgery several weeks ago, allowing doctors to connect a mechanical pump, called a VAD, to support her heart and blood flow. A day before that surgery, Sofia performed the Kiki dance challenge down a hospital hallway in hopes of meeting Drake, whose music has inspired her during her hospital stay. In a video filmed after the procedure, she told the Canadian rapper she loved his music and asked him to visit her at Lurie for her birthday. Sofia was all smiles when Drake stopped by last Monday while in town for his tour. In an Instagram post, Drake said they talked about Justin Bieber and basketball. Natalie Sanchez said her family has received "overwhelming" support since her daughter's diagnosis. Neighbors collected about $4,800 at a lemonade stand fundraiser last month, and the GoFundMe page has raised more than $46,000. "I'm grateful," Natalie said. "Definitely for all the love and support from my community, complete strangers, family and friends. The GoFundMe helped tremendously not having to worry about work." Natalie offered thanks and prayers to the family of the heart donor, saying "it's just amazing how somebody could save somebody else's life" through organ donation. "I'm a donor. My kids are donors," Natalie said. "If something happened (to one of them) I know it would help me get through. I'm so grateful."<doc-sep>CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thursday night a suburban cheerleading team held a fundraiser for a teammate made famous for two wishes granted: a visit from Drake and a new heart Drake stopped by Sofia Sanchez's hospital room as she waited patiently for a heart transplant. Now she's got that new heart and her friends cannot wait to have her back on the sideline, cheering with all of them.It's no secret the girl who is friends with Drake is now recovering from a heart transplant. Now Sofia's friends want to help her too.The community came together to raise money for Sofia's family. Cookies, donuts, and muffins were all on sale. "I'm really happy I think this is a good idea and she's going to be really happy and excited to see," Aubrey Chiarelli, friend. "I think it's great that a community can come together this little girl, I think it's amazing that they're doing this for her," said Olivia Oertel, friend.Sofia's cheer team, part of the Bill George Youth Football League, wrote well wishes on signs, flexing Sofia strong for a young lady whose story is now national. "That video was just like you could not help but just start bawling her reaction to that was, I just have goosebumps," said Jasmine Glover, cheer coach.Sofia's friends are now adding a new chapter to her story. "I feel really good about it, I think we are going to get a lot of money because I know a lot of people love her," said Gianna Bocconcelli, best friend.Sofia's doctors said they're amazed by her recovery so far. She's breathing on her own and she was talking to her friends on Facetime during Thursday night's event. Her dad said she's up and walking, too.But her recovery will take some time. Her family is hopeful she'll be home in time for Thanksgiving.<doc-sep>DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Sofia Sanchez only wanted two things for her 11th birthday, but they were pretty tall orders: to meet Drake and to get a new heart. The Downers Grove girl — who was on a transplant list after cardiomyopathy led to heart failure — got a visit from Drake on Aug. 18. And then she got a new heart. Sofia's mom, Natalie posted an update on her GoFundMe Monday night saying that Sofia's surgery was successful. "She received a really good, strong heart." Sanchez and her family found out Sunday night that she was scheduled for a heart transplant Monday morning, according to an update on her GoFundMe page. After the surgery and recovery at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Sofia will go to Ronald McDonald House for six to eight weeks, the update said.<doc-sep>
Sofia update: She hears her new heart beat, is breathing on her own Drake takes a selfie with 11-year-old Sofia Sanchez, a Downers Grove girl who is a heart patient at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, on Aug. 20. Courtesy of Lurie Children's Hospital Sofia Sanchez learns Sunday that she is to receive a heart transplant at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. Courtesy of Lurie Children's Hospital Eleven-year-old Sofia Sanchez of Downers Grove is breathing on her own as she is "quickly" starting to recover after a successful heart transplant Monday, her mom said Wednesday. According to an update on Sofia's Go Fund Me page posted Wednesday by Julie Bizup Price on behalf of Sofia's mom, Natalie Sanchez: "Yesterday started off slow. Sofia was intubated and paralyzed. The plan was to take the paralytic off sometime during the day and the breathing tube out the following day. As the paralytic started to wear off, Sofia quickly started communicating with us that she wanted the breathing tube out. She started breathing over the tube so the doctors turned down the oxygen and she was able to breathe on her own. Sofia was extubated 24 hours after her heart transplant!" Sofia, whose birthday was Aug. 18, spent the last eight weeks awaiting a heart transplant at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. In a video posted on her cousin's Facebook page Sunday, Sofia said she remained hopeful that she would be getting a new heart soon. Moments later, her family gave her the good news that her wish had been granted. The news came a week after her favorite musical artist, Drake, fulfilled Sofia's first birthday wish by stopping by her hospital room. The new heart was her second birthday wish. According to the Go Fund Me post, "Doctors are amazed at how quickly she is starting to recover. ... The best part of all was when she was able to listen to her heart beat again. It was very emotional. And we are so grateful."