Thursday is going to be a big day for a little guy from Dawsonville.

After years of hoping, praying and waiting, 3-year-old Mason Hyde is getting the new kidney he needs.

"He realizes what is going on, but at the same time, he doesn't, and he's nervous about it," said his mom, Randi Hyde. "But he knows he's not going to have to do dialysis anymore, and he's excited about that."

Mason, who was born prematurely, has a heart condition that causes oxygenated blood to mix with the deoxygenated blood in the heart.

Nearly two weeks after his birth, he was sent home with hospice care.

Not expected to live past a few days, and certainly not months, Mason has undergone three heart surgeries and many other operations.

While the kidney transplant is not nearly as extensive as some of his previous surgeries, his mom said her nerves are still not at ease.

"The surgery takes about two hours, but he'll be away from me about five hours. I hope to be back with him by 1 o'clock," she said.

The transplant will be performed at Egelston Hospital in Atlanta, across the street from the hospital where his donor will have her kidney removed Thursday morning.

"Her name is Britni Dougherty, and she's amazing," Randi Hyde said.

A single mom, who learned about Mason's journey from a friend, Dougherty contacted the Hydes through social media saying she wanted to donate her kidney.

"At the time, I was getting a lot of messages from people saying they wanted to donate a kidney to him," Randi Hyde said.

And for many different reasons, the family continued to come up short.

"Then I heard from her a few months later and she said she had all the tests done and she was a match," Randi Hyde said. "She's incredible."

Mason could be at the hospital for up to a month and possibly on several medications afterwards.

"We're not sure yet what these medications are going to cost," she said. "I just want to ask everyone to send prayers for Mason."

A Facebook page, Prayers for Lil' Mason, has been set up for anyone wanting to follow Mason's progress.

Donations can also be sent to 245 Pearl Chambers Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534.