Stephenville High School senior undergoes successful heart transplant.

Jayce Gazaway and his mother Haley Esslinger at Friday's Heart of Gold game.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

Jayce Gazaway has a new heart beating inside his chest.

And his family is hopeful that his life – and theirs – will soon return to normal.

The 17-year-old was placed on a transplant list in September after doctors discovered that he was in heart failure.

Late Friday night, the family got the call they had been praying for: A heart was available for Jayce.

“We had just gotten home from the Heart of Gold game (in Stephenville) when we got the call,” his mother Haley Esslinger told Beneath the Surface News.

The family raced to Children’s Medical Center Dallas, but the procedure was postponed until Sunday morning.

“The donor’s organs went to multiple people, so it took time to coordinate the surgery,” Haley said.

At 9 a.m. Sunday (today), Jayce was finally taken back to begin the 9-hour procedure.

“So far, our heart coordinator is telling us that everything looks great,” Haley said.

“The doctors are still finishing up. It’s been a very long day and we are all sleep deprived, but very happy.”

Haley said Jayce will stay sedated until tomorrow and will remain in the hospital for a month before transitioning to the Ronald McDonald House where he will quarantined for five months.

“After six months, if everything is good-to-go, he will be able to come home,” she said.

“I can’t wait to see him and give him a kiss.”

Read about Jayce’s journey here.