Miracles Do Happen

 It's been 3 days since Mike got his new heart, and I can hardly believe that it actually happened. 

On Thursday September 5th Mike was told we had another match. Dr. Hooker said he was bound and determined to get Mike a new heart by the Michigan game that Saturday. At this point Mike was a level one on the Unos Heart Transplant List and basically top of the top. With both sides of his heart being supported he needed a new one badly. Mike, the boys, and I shared this little secret that Friday and went on about our day. The more we learned the more we became excited that this was actually the heart. This heart was a DBD heart (Donation after Brain Death). Througout the day we learned that it was a great match and Mike's OR time was set for Saturday, September 7th at 10am. We were confused that we were not given a donor OR time, and as time went on we realized there was no transport time for the heart...the heart was in the same hospital as Mike. 

I got to spend time with Mike that morning, just the two of us. We were excited and ready for this new life ahead of us, while also being a little nervous at the same time. We prayed together and they took Mike down to the OR at 9:45am, at 11:23am we found out that the heart was a perfect fit and they were going to start putting Mike to sleep. By 12:30pm the nurse came out and said Mike was asleep and they had started surgery. Mike told me later that they had told him when they start anesthesia they will know the heart is good. The doctor came in and said to start and Mike said he couldn't hold it together, he knew before going under that he would wake up with a new heart. By 2:38pm the nurse came back out and said that the heart was all sewn in and beating on it's own. The surgery was flying by and going so well! At 3:40pm Dr. Chen came out to tell us that her and Dr. Hooker were all done and Mike was heading back to his room. In total a surgery that usually takes 6-12 hours took these amazing surgeons 4 hours to complete. 

Back in his room now, I waited with my mom and dad and Mike's mom in the family lounge as they got Mike all hooked up, cleaned up, and situated in his room. After an hour or so I was finally allowed in his room. I took his hand, it was cold from cooling down his body during surgery. There were lots of nurses and doctors moving around us and talking in what seemed like a foreign language. The amount of knowledge, skill, and dedication amazed me. If I didn't have a mask on I am sure you could have seen my mouth just hanging open in awe. The doctors did the inital wake up to test his reflexes, he squeezed my hand. I told him he had a new heart and that he was doing such a good job. They put him back to sleep and started to warm him up. The nurses were flitting around like little hummingbirds darting in and out of the room, adjusting medicaitons, taking blood samples, fixing tubes, and keeping his new heart happy. The entire time they explained each medication, each tube, each wire, and everything that they were doing and the science behind it. They answered every question, sometimes even twice as I forgot between all the confusion. They are and still continue to be the best. 

That night I called to check in on Mike and the nurses said he was progressing well. By 6am Sunday morning they had woken Mike up and he was breathing on is own. He still had the breathing tube in his throat and had to sit there for a bit to be sure his breathing was good. The nurses asked me if Mike knew Sign Language, he was signing and asking questions. I told them he knew very little but did know the alphabet. If you know Mike he is a big talker...even with a tube down his throat you can't get him to stop talking! His first two questions: 1. Do I have a new heart? 2. Did Michigan win the game?

Mike is crushing this heart transplant thing! His numbers are amazing, his progress is astounding. Every doctor, nurse, social worker, PT, OT....everyone! is saying how fast he is progressing and getting off ventilation, medication, tubes, and all. Sunday afternoon he transitioned from the bed to the chair for the first time. Monday afternoon we went for his first slow and short walk down the hallway. There are challenges for sure. The pain was more than he expected, his mind is faster than his recovery, and he is learning that a new heart means new everything. He is doing everything for the first time. 

I called the radio station Monday morning to share the good news. They played the recording on the air and celebrated with us. After a couple songs Jeremy and Amanda got back on the air and Amanda was crying and struggling a little. She said she was happy for the morning and then Jeremy quickly said I think you are happy for Mike and his new heart. Amanda expressed that she believes in miracles, it's just the first time she has witnessed one. Miracled do happen. 

I can't count the number of people that are praying for Mike and our family. It is beyond words and expression to feel the love and power of prayer from all directions. Mike's heart is a miracle. The most amazing gift that someone could give. We hope one day to meet this person's family and share our gratitude for giving us our husband/father/son/brother/uncle/cousin/friend back to us. As Mike was fighting through the pain and I was holding on to him a nursed tried to distract him and ask him where the first place he wanted to go to after his recovery. Mike just responded: I want to hug my boys first. We want to hug you to babe! 

What's Next: 2-4 weeks of recovery, learning, and education in the hospital. The first month at home I will be his caregiver and will need to be with him 24/7. Think as if he is a newborn, protect him like you would a newborn. Doctor visits, rehab, in home nurse visits, timed medications, and learning a new life after transplant. Mike has no immune system, his secret service is gone. He will need to wear a mask outside of the home for the first year, which means we will not be taking a lot of visitors in our home. When we do, they will need to wear a mask as that is Mike's safe place. We are excited for what the furture holds, and so blessed by this gift of life. 

Thank you for your continued prayers. We can't wait to bring Mike home and start this new chapter. Enjoy these couple photos of Mike's first walk and his heart pillow. #243 for the history of the heart program, and heart #34 this year!