Winings receives new heart

This article submitted by Linda Stelling on 12/8/99.

Eight-year-old Jaren Winings, rural Watkins, received a new heart over the weekend. He had been on a transplant waiting list for two months.

Jaren had a rare heart disease that restricted the flow of blood in the heart's chambers.

The Winings family received word Friday night at 9 p.m. from the Fairview-University Medical Center in Minneapolis that they had a heart for Jaren.

"We were at the hospital by 11:30 p.m. and they started prepping Jaren for surgery," Brad Winings, Jaren's father said.

Jaren had surgery about 5 a.m. Saturday morning and was moved into intensive care by 8:30 a.m. He was on respirators until 4 p.m. that afternoon. "The doctors said things were going great Saturday after-noon," his father said.

Jaren is listed in stable condition. He was moved out of intensive care on Tuesday and was moved to the children's floor.

Winings said in another seven to 10 days they will be able to move Jaren to the Ronald McDonald House where he will be required to stay anywhere from one to three months. This is the most critical time period for his body to reject the heart.

"Jaren was up sitting in a chair Monday morning," Brad Winings said.

"Jaren receiving his new heart is the best Christmas gift we can receive," Winings stressed.

The Winings family attends the Grace United Methodist Church, Paynesville.

A fund has been set up for the Winings family at the Community First National Bank, Paynesville, to help cover expenses.

Press story Sept. 22, 1999

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