Zach and I got to ICU shortly after 9 and they had already started backing off the oxygen to see if he could breathe on his own. His nurse told us to give her about an hour and they would probably have the tube out of his throat. We talked to him for just a few minutes and assured him that the surgery had gone well and that the organ appeared to be working fine, but he didn't seem to know much. He shook his head, but I'm not sure he knew why he was shaking his head!
We left him alone for a little while to get some sleep and then when we returned to the room, the tube was out and he was begging for water. They wouldn't let us give him anything which he didn't understand, but I expected that. ICU will be awful for him until they give him ice chips or something!
He looks wonderful and is trying to talk a little bit.
We'll see how the day goes...everyone wants to see him!
Monday, December 14, 2009
October 25, 2009 - 3:35 am
Jay is in ICU, still intubated but unbelievably, whether Zach and I are imagining it or not, he looks better! I swear, the organ is already working.
He will be sedated until about 6-7 hours after surgery so Zach and I are going to the hotel to get some rest. We'll be able to see him at 9:00 this morning.
I pray that God sees him through the night.
He will be sedated until about 6-7 hours after surgery so Zach and I are going to the hotel to get some rest. We'll be able to see him at 9:00 this morning.
I pray that God sees him through the night.
October 24, 2009 - WE GOT THE CALL!
OH MY GOSH! I don't believe it...the phone rang at 7:05 this morning and it was Angie, one of the transplant coordinators. She was incredibly calm as she told us that they had an organ for Jay! It was like Keystone Cops at our house, immediately! We did everything they told us not to do...we drove like idiots (when she said we had plenty of time), we called everyone in the family (when they told us not to) but at least we got Craig set up with Zach to meet him at their house and bring him to the hospital!
We arrived at the hospital at 8:17 am and they told us that one of the Fellows was leaving for New Mexico to biopsy the organ and see if it was viable. NEW MEXICO???? We found out that once you get to #1 on the List, that you go "nationwide," for organs! What a shock!
We didn't find out until 4:00 this afternoon that the transplant is a "go" as far as the organ being viable. It's on the way back to Dallas now and we'll know in a little bit. It has been a long and exhausting day!
At 4:30, they finished up the "get Jay ready" work and prepared him for surgery. It's official if the organ is a true match when it arrives.
It's a match - we're on our way to the O.R.!!!!!
They came to get Jay at 6:15 and Zach and I went to the operating room with him...talked with the anesthesiologist, and got ready to say our goodbyes! We were standing in the hallway with him when one of his surgeons came running down the hallway with a red Igloo cooler - it's not just TV, it's real! He went running past us and said, "This the liver!" All I could think was, "STOP RUNNING WITH IT!"
We left Jay at the doors at 6:35 pm. No word on how things will go during surgery - they warned us not to expect any updates - they can't afford to delay anything once they've opened him up!
We arrived at the hospital at 8:17 am and they told us that one of the Fellows was leaving for New Mexico to biopsy the organ and see if it was viable. NEW MEXICO???? We found out that once you get to #1 on the List, that you go "nationwide," for organs! What a shock!
We didn't find out until 4:00 this afternoon that the transplant is a "go" as far as the organ being viable. It's on the way back to Dallas now and we'll know in a little bit. It has been a long and exhausting day!
At 4:30, they finished up the "get Jay ready" work and prepared him for surgery. It's official if the organ is a true match when it arrives.
It's a match - we're on our way to the O.R.!!!!!
They came to get Jay at 6:15 and Zach and I went to the operating room with him...talked with the anesthesiologist, and got ready to say our goodbyes! We were standing in the hallway with him when one of his surgeons came running down the hallway with a red Igloo cooler - it's not just TV, it's real! He went running past us and said, "This the liver!" All I could think was, "STOP RUNNING WITH IT!"
We left Jay at the doors at 6:35 pm. No word on how things will go during surgery - they warned us not to expect any updates - they can't afford to delay anything once they've opened him up!
October 23, 2009
Jay went to see Dr. Trotter today - we told him that we wanted him treating Jay from here forward, no more Dr. Lepe. He moved Jay up on the list again, which of course, is very frightening, but we knew this day was coming. Just more wait and see! So tiresome!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
WOW! Where to start...it's been an interesting month to say the least. A couple weeks ago, Jay developed pneumonia. He'd gone in through the ER, but they wouldn't keep him because of all the germs in the hospital! Then this past Thursday, he went to see Dr. Trotter (hepatologist) who immediately admitted him due to the fluid build up in his belly and legs again!
They were able to drain a liter of fluid from his belly and kept him five and a half days while they tried to get his sodium back up (he's been trying to keep it down - apparently did a pretty good job since they worked to get it back UP into "normal" ranges) and to get some of the fluid off again.
He is at a 22 on his MELD score which is the highest he's ever been, so naturally we're doing the happy dance (kinda glad no one can see that but Jay and I!). We look at this as a "we could get the call any day now" kind of celebration. I know it's wrong to pray for someone's death, but I believe in God who has a purpose for everyone and someone's purpose is to give Jay life - this I believe with all my heart.
The insanity continues, but we're getting used to it (which sort of bothers me!). I don't want to be used to it - I want it to be over! I told Jay last night that if he wanted to make this my birthday AND Christmas gift this year, I'd happily take it. Of course I told him the same thing last year and he didn't come through on it, so...
I also want to take this opportunity to ask for prayers on behalf of some friends who have an 8-year-old that's about to have brain surgery. Little Ashley suffers from dystonia and if you could see his videos, you can see why they are hoping for a wonderful outcome from his surgery. It is currently scheduled for the 21st, and I've added them to our prayer list.
Thanks for all the love and support and prayers...we are blessed.
They were able to drain a liter of fluid from his belly and kept him five and a half days while they tried to get his sodium back up (he's been trying to keep it down - apparently did a pretty good job since they worked to get it back UP into "normal" ranges) and to get some of the fluid off again.
He is at a 22 on his MELD score which is the highest he's ever been, so naturally we're doing the happy dance (kinda glad no one can see that but Jay and I!). We look at this as a "we could get the call any day now" kind of celebration. I know it's wrong to pray for someone's death, but I believe in God who has a purpose for everyone and someone's purpose is to give Jay life - this I believe with all my heart.
The insanity continues, but we're getting used to it (which sort of bothers me!). I don't want to be used to it - I want it to be over! I told Jay last night that if he wanted to make this my birthday AND Christmas gift this year, I'd happily take it. Of course I told him the same thing last year and he didn't come through on it, so...
I also want to take this opportunity to ask for prayers on behalf of some friends who have an 8-year-old that's about to have brain surgery. Little Ashley suffers from dystonia and if you could see his videos, you can see why they are hoping for a wonderful outcome from his surgery. It is currently scheduled for the 21st, and I've added them to our prayer list.
Thanks for all the love and support and prayers...we are blessed.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
September Already?
Well, it's already September - how did that happen? Can Christmas really only be four months away? GOOD LORD!
Jay spent all of last week in the hospital - it was a very long week. Started when his belly button burst! It was awful, but at least it had a name, which meant it had a diagnosis and a treatment! Turned out to be not be such a dramatic treatment, but at least they kept him for the week and got 40 lbs of fluid off his body! Amazing!
Having a hard time thinking about "returning" to Dr. Lepe. Really love her, but feel that Dr. Trotter may be the answer to our prayers! Jay is at a 22 on his MELD, which of course, Trotter has nothing to do with, but do feel that he is the "aggressive" doctor that Dr. Hamilton said he was! Right now, aggression is all I want! Oh well, that and a liver, of course!
Jay is bored to tears, but we did get a new Netbook yesterday, so that will help him - at least he can access email during the day now and having something to do!
Friends Doyle and Gina are in Mexico for Gina's daughter's wedding! I'm so jealous - a week of pre-wedding "stuff," and then the wedding on Friday night. Doyle's daughter doesn't know it yet, but her boyfriend is going to propose to her while they're there! I am so excited for all of them - can't wait to hear the stories and see the pictures!
Found a new store - Charming Charlies - just like Sam Moon, but much more organized! Saw a movie this weekend - All About Steve with Sandra Bullock - too cute for words. Worked all day on Monday - busy weekend, but all in all, pretty good one! Oh, and Zach "blew in" Friday night, did his laundry, worked on his truck, and "blew out" Saturday morning! I guess I'm learning to be grateful for the little things!
Love to all!
Jay spent all of last week in the hospital - it was a very long week. Started when his belly button burst! It was awful, but at least it had a name, which meant it had a diagnosis and a treatment! Turned out to be not be such a dramatic treatment, but at least they kept him for the week and got 40 lbs of fluid off his body! Amazing!
Having a hard time thinking about "returning" to Dr. Lepe. Really love her, but feel that Dr. Trotter may be the answer to our prayers! Jay is at a 22 on his MELD, which of course, Trotter has nothing to do with, but do feel that he is the "aggressive" doctor that Dr. Hamilton said he was! Right now, aggression is all I want! Oh well, that and a liver, of course!
Jay is bored to tears, but we did get a new Netbook yesterday, so that will help him - at least he can access email during the day now and having something to do!
Friends Doyle and Gina are in Mexico for Gina's daughter's wedding! I'm so jealous - a week of pre-wedding "stuff," and then the wedding on Friday night. Doyle's daughter doesn't know it yet, but her boyfriend is going to propose to her while they're there! I am so excited for all of them - can't wait to hear the stories and see the pictures!
Found a new store - Charming Charlies - just like Sam Moon, but much more organized! Saw a movie this weekend - All About Steve with Sandra Bullock - too cute for words. Worked all day on Monday - busy weekend, but all in all, pretty good one! Oh, and Zach "blew in" Friday night, did his laundry, worked on his truck, and "blew out" Saturday morning! I guess I'm learning to be grateful for the little things!
Love to all!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Mid-July
It's mid-July and finally some cooler weather has moved in...we've actually had rain the last couple of days.
Jay is feeling about the same - not good, not horrible, but somewhere in between! He goes back to his hepatologist in mid-August (hopefully, she won't be on maternity leave when its time for his appointment). He's extremely jaundiced these days...I hope that means he'll move "up" the list!
I have a kidney stone in my right kidney....after becoming much more disallusioned with my MD's office, I did a search and found a urologist on my own. He has scheduled a "sonar blast" for this coming Thursday, but says it's "no big deal."
I tore my calf muscle Friday night - same injury as last year, just different leg. I was walking through the living room, reached down to "mess with the dog," and heard it pop! Jay was actually in the other room and heard it! He came into the living room and by that time, I was on the couch, saying "not so nice things." He said, "What was that noise?"
Saturday morning, he took me to the emergency room and they diagnosed me. Told me to stay off of it for a couple of days and then into a moon boot, I go for 6 weeks. I NEED SOMEONE TO JUST THROW ME A BONE! I need a week that nothing goes wrong!!!!
Say prayers for us as we muddle through!
Love to all,
Karen
Jay is feeling about the same - not good, not horrible, but somewhere in between! He goes back to his hepatologist in mid-August (hopefully, she won't be on maternity leave when its time for his appointment). He's extremely jaundiced these days...I hope that means he'll move "up" the list!
I have a kidney stone in my right kidney....after becoming much more disallusioned with my MD's office, I did a search and found a urologist on my own. He has scheduled a "sonar blast" for this coming Thursday, but says it's "no big deal."
I tore my calf muscle Friday night - same injury as last year, just different leg. I was walking through the living room, reached down to "mess with the dog," and heard it pop! Jay was actually in the other room and heard it! He came into the living room and by that time, I was on the couch, saying "not so nice things." He said, "What was that noise?"
Saturday morning, he took me to the emergency room and they diagnosed me. Told me to stay off of it for a couple of days and then into a moon boot, I go for 6 weeks. I NEED SOMEONE TO JUST THROW ME A BONE! I need a week that nothing goes wrong!!!!
Say prayers for us as we muddle through!
Love to all,
Karen
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