Unique surgery helps sick dad surprise daughter before wedding day
INDIO, Calif. -- A father walking his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day is a very special moment. However, a serious medical issue threatened that opportunity for a father and daughter from Nebraska.
"Not to be able to even stand up and say, 'I am the one that will give her away'...I felt that I was letting her down," said Andre Pearson.
Pearson's daughter was set to get married in Indio a couple weeks ago. But Pearson needed a heart transplant and his kidneys were failing.
He was given only a few months to live.
That's when doctors at the Mayo Clinic tried a unique surgery they've never done before - implanting a left and right ventricular assist device to help Pearson's heart pump.
The surgery was a success. The night before the wedding, Pearson arrived in the Coachella Valley to surprise his daughter.
"It was like a dream, kind of. It doesn't feel real," said Pearson's daughter, Alexandra.
Pearson was able to escort his daughter down the aisle, holding her hand. The two, as well as the rest of the wedding party, then danced the night away.
ABC News contributed to this report.
