Florida boy recovering thanks to Boston doctors

BOSTON -- A little boy is on the road to recovery thanks to the doctors at Children’s Hospital in Boston.

The Florida boy came up to Boston last spring to get that life-saving surgery and he and his family were back on Thursday to say thanks to the doctors who saved his life.

At just six weeks old, baby Michael Sanders had his entire life ahead of him, but his family was told that could change.

In 2007, Michael was diagnosed with a heart defect. Florida doctors said they could perform several surgeries, but the prognosis was just 10 to 15 years.

"We were just enjoying every moment that we have and living day by day basically...now we look forward to the future. Nowhere in my mind did I imagine he had a heart problem or a fatal heart problem," said Denise Sanders, the boy’s mother.

His parents decided to hold off until they found out about a Boston company called Best Doctors.

"We provide an employee benefit that helps people take control of their healthcare and we do it by helping people get the right diagnosis and treatment. It's a benefit that's free for employees to use if their company has it in place,” said Evan Falchuk of Best Doctors.

Helen Thomas was assigned to the family's case. Nearly a year later, there seemed to finally be hope. Helen found Dr. Pedro del Nido, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Children’s Hospital.

"He performed a surgery which has been life saving for Michael...His prognosis now is for him to have a nice, happy, normal life,” said Sanders.

All it took was that one successful surgery and nearly three years later, Michael is healthy and happy.

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