Transplant is done
I just want to update everyone on all that has been going on the past few days.
Also before I begin I really want to thank everyone for their prayers and support with all we have been dealing with.
My husband got his call last Thursday (19th) to go to Ann Arbor for his transplant. He did get a a double lung transplant.
Also My uncle that has been in bad shape died last Friday.
We arrived in AA Thurs. night. My husband was prepped throughout the night for surgery the next morning. He was to be in the OR by 6:30 am. My 2 sons, my daughter and her baby girl, were all there. My other daughter also arrived just in time to see her dad about 30 seconds before they took him to OR. She had a friend come with her, they took turns driving all night from Marquette to get there.
Between 7 and 8 my uncle went into a coma, at 7:53 my husband's procedure was started. He gave them quite a scare because when they gave him the anesthetic in some way his oxygen supply was depleted and everything shut down and quit. His blood pressure dropped to nothing and his heart quit.
They got him going again and he was in surgery for 8 1/2 hours, it was completed at 4:30. Later that evening my uncled died.
The timing of all this has been unbelievable!!! My uncle's grandson came home from Virginia, where he is stationed in the airforce and was able to see him one last time before he died. He arrived at 10:00 a.m. I truely believe he knew he was there although he could not respond to them in any way.
My husband has been doing what I feel to be phenomenonly well. On Sat. morning the breathing tube was removed and he had no problem talking.
Sunday morning he was gotten up to sit in a chair and was sitting up all day long. They had been gradually cutting back his oxygen.
Today, they removed the drain in his neck and 2 of the drains from his lungs. He was also taken out of ICU and put into his regular room which he walked to all on his own while pushing the wheelchair in front of him in case he needed it for the remainder of the trip.
Tomorrow he is to have the epidural taken out of his back and the catheter removed. They are going to start him working on stair steps.
To look at him and listen to him, you would never know he has just undergone this major of a surgery. So far his progress is very impressive and the Drs. are all very happy and impressed with this as well.
They also told us that his episode, when everything quit, was something that was very unusual. They also told us today that when they checked out his (old) lungs they were even worse than they had anticipated. He apparently was much sicker than any of us realized. He is good at putting up a strong front. AKA stubborness!!!! Either way he has had a very good outlook.
One of the surgeons that assisted came to see him yesterday and said they actually had had 2 offers for him this week. He has been very fortunate in that he was just placed on the list Dec. 29 and now less than a month later it is all done for him. Not to mention the fact that when you are waiting it seems long but then to be told that it is his turn in less than a month after placement only to top it off with being told that there had been 2 matches that had come in for him this week alone!!!! This has truely been a miracle for us.
Unfortunately, now I have my uncle's funeral to go to Wed. but fortunately for him he is not suffering any more. We knew this was coming, he was continually getting worse and there was nothing anymore that anyone could do for him.
Again, thank you all for all of your support and prayers though this and all these situations during these times that we have been having to deal with. You will never know how much it has meant. Tremendous work has been accomplished!!!!!!!!
Please keep my aunt and her kids in your prayers as well this week.
Take care and God Bless you all.
Beth I am so happy to hear that your husband is doing great Praise the Lord for the transplant and a new lease on life. I am so sorry about your lost but I am happy to hear that your nephew was able to see his dad one last time. God works in so many ways. I will be praying for you and your family. You are a amazing strong woman and God is watching over you always. hugs. Tricia
HI Beth,
WOW! I am so happy to hear about your hubby's good fortune in getting a donor so quick.
My sister just called last night and asked me to research lung transplants for her, she does not have a computer.
My nephew is in his late 30's and has been hspoitalized quite a few times for his lung problems.
The dr told them yesterday to start thinking about a transplant for him.
They are very scared, they don't know what to do. The dr gave them no information at all.
His problems started when he was bullriding and wa**** in the chest and it got steadily worse from there with the scar tissue having to be removed. They took a part of both lungs so he hasn't got much to work with now.
From what I read so far, I am not sure of my feelings. They are going to call Sat and talk to us all and ask our feelings and find out what I have found on the web about it.
If you wouldn't mind, after things calm down for you, would it be ok if I emailed you and you can maybe give me some places to look & research and stuff?
I didnt believe it when I read your post!! My sister asked me last night if I knew of anyone who had a transplant-- I said no-- never have!!
Good luck recovery to your hubby and my sympathy on the passing of your uncle.
De
Beth,
So glad to hear about your husband's lung transplant. Boy, he sure was lucky he didn't have to wait long. My dad has had 2 liver transplants. The first one he waited almost a year for and the other one only about 6 weeks. He had his last one 2 1/2 years ago and is doing well. What a blessing it has been. It has been 9 years now since his 1st transplant.
My dad has actually lived to see 4 more grandchildren born. My dad went to HEnry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He really loves it there. They treat him like family.
My prayers are with you and your family. Lynn
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