Leroy Haynes, Monee, gets wheeled into a press conference at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Leroy Haynes, Monee, smiles, during a press conference at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Leroy Haynes, Monee, smiles wth his first nurse, Christine Sanders, during a press conference at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Leroy Haynes, Monee, gets a hug from Dr. Chadrick Cross during a press conference at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Leroy Haynes, Monee, hugs Mary Kay Mixan, a nurse at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Leroy Haynes, Monee, hugs his first nurse, Christine Sanders, during a press conference at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Leroy Haynes, Monee, walks out of Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Leroy Haynes, Monee, waves as he drives away from Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Leroy Haynes, Monee, holds te "Freedom Driver" pack that controls his artificial heart during a press conference at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Pat Haynes whipes away a tear as her husband, Leroy Haynes, Monee, looks on during a press conference at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Pat Haynes gets a hug as she and her husband, Leroy Haynes, Monee, wait for the a press conference to start at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Leroy Haynes, Monee, smiles after receiving a gift after a press conference at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Leroy Haynes, Monee, says, "I thank you from the bottom of my heart," while holding it during a press conference at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. The 64 year old retired postal carrier leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Dr. Michael Bresticker describes components for the artifical heart used for Leroy Haynes during a press conference at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday September 13, 2012. Haynes, the 64 year old retired postal carrier from Monee, leaves Advocate Christ Medical Center after becoming the first patient in Illinois to receive a completely artificial heart. It is seen as a temporary measure until a donor heart can be secured. He was in the hospital for 169 days. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media