Heart Transplant Twin Recovering, But Brother Critical

LOS ANGELES - Doctors have revealed that the 7-month-old boy who was battling to survive after a life-saving heart transplant has shown good signs of recovery in the past few days, but his twin brother continues to fight for life.

Nick Draper was fitted in with a new heart during a 5-hour operation last week at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. But due to healing difficulties, doctors were forced to keep the chest cavity open, but now they have been able to seal off his new heart and he is showing good signs of recovering from his surgery, which had to be initiated since he was suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease that interferes with the heart's ability to pump blood. "Closing the chest will be a real turning point," Dr. Mark Plunkett, said. "Once we have his chest closed, we can have him wake up." However, there was no such good news for his twin Nate Draper, who continues to be in a critical condition, "We remain hopeful that Nick will continue to improve and pray that our other son, Nate, will also receive a donated heart soon," said Michael and Nicole Draper of Phoenix, who are the babies parents.