FOREST, Va. (WSET) — Transplant survivor Cody Beck’s shining faith and joyful light are just as bright from his new heart as they were from the old.
ABC13 first told you about Cody in July. At the time, he was a 17-year-old Bedford County teenager who was waiting for a heart transplant.
Now, we are happy to report, he is home from the hospital–with a new heart.
ABC 13’s Brittany Slaughter sat down with Cody and his mom, Gina, for an update on how they are doing.
Cody said getting out of the hospital and being able to enjoy the fresh air has been great for his body and mind.
“I get to be calm in the fall weather. I love the fall weather,” Cody said.
While happy to be home in Forest, Beck certainly made the most of his time in the hospital. Cody and Gina made a series of fun videos for friends and family as they waited for surgery. You can watch them on YouTube HERE.
The journey started when Cody was born with a congenital heart defect. He had four surgeries from the time he was a baby to a toddler.
Fast forward to January 2025.
Doctors told Cody he would need a heart transplant.
The Beck family stood by as transplant match after match fell through, keeping the faith and laughs going while they waited.
RELATED: Jefferson Forest student and family holding on to faith while waiting for heart transplant
But the waiting finally paid off. In July, following a nearly 14-hour surgery at UVA, Cody finally received a new heart.
In October, three months after setting foot in the hospital, Cody made it back home.
Cody Beck celebrating leaving the hospital following a heart transplant. (Gina Beck)
“Being next to family and just in my own bed, it’s all amazing, it’s so much better. I feel more normal if that makes sense,” Cody said.
While there is no place like home, Cody still has a long road ahead of him. He was diagnosed with PLE- protein-losing enteropathy. It’s a disease that flushes out proteins and electrolytes.
“Some days it’ll be like bam, I think I’m getting better and this is going away, and then I’ll have days where it’s like, this is just awful or I’m throwing up,” he said. “And just from a PLE standpoint, mentally I am beat, I am so done with it. Physically, I’m also very tired.”
When ABC13 first sat down with Cody and Gina, he had been battling rejection due to underlying factors. Since then, his UVA doctors have cleared him. The Becks said they are thankful for the kind and dedicated doctors, nurses and staff who walked with them, and continue to guide them through every step.
Cody and Gina said their faith in God has been their anchor through the uncertainty.
“During every moment, we’ve always gone back, when we were laughing: thank you for this, thank you for this laughter, thank you for the tears, all of it. We would always thank Him,” Cody said.
Challenges are nothing new to the family. Last year, they lost Todd Beck, Gina’s husband and Cody’s dad, to cancer. It was just after Todd’s passing that Cody found out about the transplant match.
“It’s hard being back without Todd. He passed in December, so we had those few months before, but there’s just something about coming back [home],” Gina said.
Now, at home, he still has healing to do.
“Truly, it’s like a war going on inside that we can’t see, and so that is, you just trust the doctors and they’re still trying to figure that piece out,” Gina said.
It’s been a balancing act for the family as they juggle doctors’ appointments, medications and time together. However, in true Beck fashion, they are keeping it light. This Thanksgiving, they are ready to celebrate.
“I’m actually really excited for Thanksgiving this year. I can’t wait to eat all the food,” Cody said.
Gina said as they lean on each other, the community, and their faith, one word keeps coming to mind.
“The word Saint is St., the initials are S-T, and it’s a constant journey of Surrender and Trust,” Gina said. “I just kept seeing St. St. and it’s hard, it’s hard to surrender and trust, but it is the trust I think that allows us to keep enjoying,” Gina said.
Cody is currently a junior at Jefferson Forest High School, working online so he doesn’t fall behind.
He’s hopeful to return to class in time for the spring semester so he can land a spot in the school musical.
You can follow Cody’s journey HERE.
