SHERMAN, TX -You may have heard of the website Twitter. You might even use it yourself, but on Monday, Children's Hospital in Dallas did something that’s never been done before. They posted real-time updates of a major operation. A Bonham father and Sherman firefighter donated a kidney to his young son. Rita Kotey has the one-of-a-kind, 21st century story.

Three year old John Gilbreath is a bright little boy with big dreams of being a firefighter just like his dad, Chris.

"You wouldn't even know that he was sick. He just runs around like a normal kid," Chris Gilbreath said.

John was born with end stage renal disease. Because of this condition, his kidneys do not function properly.

"We were expecting to have to plan a funeral for our child, and when he was born and when he began crying, we were blessed that he was alive and well," says John's mother, Amanda Gilbreath.

John's mother, Amanda, says he's been on dialysis every night since he was a baby.

During each 10-hour treatment fluid is pumped into a catheter in his abdomen to cleanse his body.

"He typically sleeps through a majority of the dialysis, but in the morning when he awakens he knows that he cannot move a certain length throughout his room which could possibly pull his catheter out which would require another surgery," she said.

Chris says his son needed a kidney, and without hesitation he stepped in.

"I believe that there wasn't any doubt in my mind that I didn't want to do it. I don’t think there is a parent out there that wouldn't want to help their child out," Chris said.

"It makes me feel very proud. I'm so thankful that they were a match, that we did not have to go off a waiting list to wait for a kidney," Amanda said.

The transplant began early Monday morning at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.

Fellow firefighters and friends eagerly waited for updates about their conditions through the social networking site Twitter.

It’s the first time the hospital has provided live updates from the operating room.

Joy Mills a family friend and Amanda's co-worker. She says using Twitter made her feel like she was there.

"To us it’s just really personal. So it lets us be there with him and know what’s going on," Mills said.

"It’s really neat."

Some of Chris's fellow firefighters say they are proud of him for doing something so kind for a little boy in need.

"Even though John is not our immediate son, he is still apart of our family," Bryan Adams said.

"I think it's great. Chris is a great guy, a great dad," Nolan Ellis said.

Chris's oldest son, Codie, says he is ready for his little brother to have the freedom to do what other kids do.

"We can jump on the trampoline play on the playground," Codie says.

"I know one of the things we are going to enjoy doing is going swimming. He will be able to swim and do things that he can’t do now because of his catheter site," Chris said.

Chris says saving lives is apart of the job but he's glad to be able to save one of the most important people in his life.

"It’s all for little John here," Chris said.

"I can only imagine as he grows how special that will be to him knowing that part of dad is with him," Amanda said.

Both father and son are recovering Monday night after a successful operation.