Portales man stable after heart transplant

A Portales man is in stable condition in a Texas hospital, after he received a heart transplant months after being diagnosed with an unknown heart virus.

Charles ‘Charlie’ Crane underwent 10 hours of surgery Tuesday at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

“Charlie is doing well he has opened his eyes and responded to simple commands, he looks wonderful,” said Martha Crane, Charlie’s wife.

Crane and his family was notified by hospital staff of a possible heart for the transplant at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. The heart was later confirmed as a match for Crane at 8 a.m. and surgery began at 1: 30 p.m. and was over at 11:30 p.m.

 Crane was admitted to a Galveston hospital, in March after Lubbock doctors found the remains of a heart virus.

Crane first had symptoms of chest pain after returning from a Baptist rescue mission in Fernley, Nev. where a dam had broken. 

A donation fund was started at the Wells Fargo Bank of Portales, for Crane by the First Baptist Church of Portales to help the family with expenses.
“We are very thankful for the donations that were made. It has helped a lot with the expenses,” Martha Crane said.

Donations are still being taken and can be made at the bank, said David McFadden, pastor of the First Baptist Church.

“I plan on flying down to Galveston on Thursday to visit with Charlie and his family,” McFadden said.