The son of former NFL veteran tight end Greg Olsen was recovering Saturday after successfully undergoing heart transplant surgery.
Olsen revealed in a social networking post on March 24 that his eight-year-old son TJ, who'd suffered from health problems since birth, had reached a stage where his heart had been"reaching its end." But only days after the former Carolina Panthers player shared the good news that his son was preparing for transplant operation.
"Today is a day of mixed emotions. A day we've prayed for has arrived" he composed Instagram. "We were alerted last night that there was a donor match for TJ to get his heart transplant. Walking our little boy, with tears of fear and hope in our eyes, has been among the roughest moments of our lives."
"TJ is finished with surgery and has been moved into the ICU. We will not be able to see him for a couple more hours but his doctors are very pleased with the surgery. TJ will be sedated for several days but his road to recovery has started."
Olsen took the opportunity to keep in mind the donor who gave his son"a chance at life."
"To our ample angel donor, we don't understand that you are or where you dwelt. But understand that [because] of the selflessness, our son TJ is going to have chance in your life. We hope your family finds peace and possibly one day our paths shall cross."
TJ was born in October 2012 having a rare congenital heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. He has undergone three open-heart surgeries in two or more decades.
The Panthers illuminated Bank of America Stadium Friday night in TJ's favorite colour.
