LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Two weeks after receiving a new heart, a nine-year-old Jeffersonville boy is headed home.

Thomas Norris was eight-days old when he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart.

Through his young life, Thomas developed a love for LEGOs and soccer. As his condition deteriorated last fall, and he was put on a wait list for a new heart on Nov. 1, 2022.

"He has a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy -- an inherited genetic disorder which causes the heart muscle to become weak, dilated, and not squeeze as well as it should," said Sarah Wilkens, Pediatric Transplant Cardiologist. 

His family watched for signs, as he grew into a fun-loving boy. 

"It was probably toward the end of his spring soccer season last year," Katherine Norris, Thomas' mom, said. "He had a lot of labored breathing, which was our clue when he was a baby that something was going on."

By July, a heart catheterization showed Thomas needed to be hospitalized and moved up to priority status on the transplant list. 

Katherine Norris said it was tough on her son limiting his physical activity.

"We limited ourselves, too," Norris said. "Especially once we were on the transplant list. I was always afraid we'd get the call and have to rush back home."

The call came on Oct. 16, and Thomas became the 100th pediatric patient to receive a transplanted heart at Norton Children's Hospital.

He's now free of all the wires and tubes he lived with for 103 days while in the hospital.  

Thomas Norris was given a special send-off at Norton Children’s Hospital on Tuesday complete with a visit from his supporters on the Louisville City FC team.

As he walked out of the hospital with his parents, doctors, nurses and soccer players lined the hallway holding balloons, shaking ribbons and cheering him and his healthy new heart.

Katherine Norris said they will be navigating new medications and other changes like letting Thomas sleep in his own bed again. They are finally making plans as a family. 

"Eventually, once he's allowed to travel, we'd like to go on a family vacation  and just being together again," she said. 

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