MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - "Jeff's Place" restaurant is fairly new to the area. The owner opened the doors for the first time back in November but a couple years before that, a part of Jeff Hicks' heart was damaged.
"It felt like I was drowning," Hicks said.
Hicks had the support of his wife every step of the way. Her husband was unable to get a heart transplant, so doctors recommended him for a different type of surgery.
"It was a complete success. He ( the doctor) was very happy when he called my wife and told her 'you're boy is okay'," he said.
Hicks says he was the sixth person in the world to have a procedure where doctors replace part of the damaged heart with a different part of his same heart.
"As long as I feel good and can put my feet on the ground everyday at work. I will," Hicks said.
It's a dream come true for Hicks to serve the people of Northeast Louisiana. He was told he might be disabled after the surgery. That didn't stop him from doing what he loves most, cooking but with a twist.
"Less fat in their diet. Less salt. All the things the doctor say are bad for you," Hicks said.
For more information on having a healthier heart, log onto www.heart.org/HEARTORG/ and for more on Jeff's Place, you can log on www.facebook.com/jeffsplace1.
