'Today wasn't a guarantee'
Matt Hankes, director of North Idaho Physical Therapy in Post Falls, is pictured in his clinic Nov. 3. Hankes, 41, returned to work about two weeks ago after undergoing a successful heart transplant in February. "When I pushed hard during my recovery, I did it for me and my family, but I felt that I owed it to others to work really hard and honor the gift," Hankes said. "I strive to live each day right, as today wasn’t a guarantee until I received my new heart."
DEVIN WEEKS/Press
Post Falls dad, husband, physical therapist and heart transplant survivor Matt Hankes gives a thumbs up the morning after his surgery in February. Hankes is extremely grateful for the gift of a new heart to replace his old heart, which deteriorated after a lifelong serious condition.
Matt Hankes of Post Falls takes his first walk in the hospital hallway in February after undergoing a heart transplant. He recently returned to work and is feeling great and grateful.
Matt Hankes, who underwent a heart transplant surgery in February, is seen with a buck he bagged in mid-October during a hunting trip.
Heart transplant survivor and proud papa Matt Hankes is seen with his girls on a vacation to the Oregon Coast this summer. Pictured with Hankes: Wife Leigh Ann and daughters Elise, 18 months, and Hannah, 7.
His second child had just entered the world when Matt Hankes began waiting for another important delivery: A new heart.
The 41-year-old physical therapist, who is the clinic director of North Idaho Physical Therapy in Post Falls, lived with a heart condition his whole life, but it wasn't discovered until he passed out during a football game his sophomore year.
"I was a healthy 15-year-old kid that day," he said, "and four days later received a diagnosis of arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and had a defibrillator implanted."
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