The President’s Residence on Tuesday morning updated the public on the condition of First Lady Nechama Rivlin, who on Monday underwent a lung transplant in Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah as reported by YWN-Israel. The organ was donated by the family of a 19-year-old Eilat drowning victim.

The statement from the President’s Residence read:

“This morning, Nechama was disconnected from the respirator. She is awake and talking to the medical team and to her family.

“Her doctors at Beilinson Hospital stress that the early days following a transplant operation are still considered critical, but they are very satisfied with her progress. They also noted that it is important to remember that there is a long recuperation after a transplant operation.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)