SEATTLE - Each visit to her old nurses at Seattle Children's Hospital is a happy reunion for 9-year-old Evett Alvarez.

Evett Alvarez had a double transplant.

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Last spring, this little girl was so sick she was admitted to the hospital.

"She started having trouble with breathing, being more tired, not as energetic,” said Dr. Yuk Law.

Dr. Law, Medical Director of Cardiac Transplant at Seattle Children's, says a disease called cardiomyopathy had weakened Evett's heart.

"Gradually it progressed to the point at which she was in severe heart failure," he said.

Evett's mother learned there would be only one way to save her daughter – a heart transplant.

Doctors soon realized Evett would not survive on the transplant waiting list. 

They implanted a mechanical device called the Berlin heart, only recently available to pediatric heart patients. It bought Evett precious time.

But she had suffered a stroke that robbed her of speech and movement. Her kidneys failed. Evett would need a double transplant.

"It's more risky. I mean you are doing two operations, you know in combination, in sequence. So everything has to be coordinated and lined up just right,’ said Dr. Law.

Two transplant teams, backed by a huge support staff implanted a new kidney and heart.   You can see their success in her halting steps.

"Every week that we see her, you know, we see amazing strides,’ said Dr. Law.

Evett's mother recognizes the gift from another family who had to make a decision in their darkest hour. She is grateful for the hope it brings to her family.

And she has a prayer for the future.

"I just want god to allow me to see her when she grows older," she said.

Evett continues to improve every day. In a few months it's hoped she can go back to school, and go on outings with her family.