There's no telling how many years a new heart has added to Mikaila Bartish's life. 

The 12-year-old Bellevue girl, who goes by "Mickey," had a heart transplant in November, shortly after a cardiologist had diagnosed her with a condition in which her heart muscle can't pump enough blood through the body.

She stayed in the hospital for weeks after the operation, but finally came home on Jan. 3. Now, her thoughts are on the immediate future — school, friends and starting an all-girls football team.

To read more about this tenacious girl, pick up Wednesday's Register or subscribe to the e-paper here.