Endurance and Amazement

It's time for another counting clock.  Now, we start counting post-transplant.  Today is Day 1—post transplant. Mark is doing well.  He is still being mechanically supported by a ventilator and medically sedated to allow for his heart to rest.  Even so, he can hear, see and understand all that is happening. He most likely will not remember today, but it was a great one.  

I spent my entire day at his bedside, rubbing his hands, legs, feet, scratching his nose and kneading knots out of his back.  I have learned through the years that these are the hot buttons for him—the things he needs done.  I have learned to watch his subtle signs to know what is needed despite the fact that he is physically not able to speak.  The nurses were amazed at our ability to communicate despite his inability to utter a sound.  Sometimes it is hard to believe that a patient in his condition can comprehend what's happening.  But, I know he can.  I have seen it before.  I knew he was listening to everything when, although he appeared to be sleeping, he laughed (by smiling big) at an inside joke that he, Cari and I share.  The smile—even full of tubes—made us laugh even harder.  He is alert more than it appears. ;-)

Another sweet moment happened when one of his transplant cardiologists came in the room and Mark immediately lifted his hand to give him a thumbs up and the biggest smile.  It was such a heartwarming moment.  I only wish I could have captured the moment in a photo or video.  I tried to recreate it a few minutes later and let's just say the video will become one we laugh at for years. He wasn't able to give a thumbs up the second time, although he thought he was.  I guess the adrenaline of seeing the doctor gave him the strength to hold his hand up the first time.

By all accounts things are progressing nicely.  Many of the nursing team and doctors commented today on how well Mark was doing.  One called him her rock star patient and others seemed amazed at his quick and steady progress.  We are all thrilled at how quickly he is improving.  One by one, he is being weaned off the collection of IV drips of medication.  To God Be the Glory!

He ran a fever of 101.7 most of the day.  We are told this is normal and pray that the fever is able to be controlled naturally.  His liver enzymes are slightly elevated due to the trauma and meds needed during the transplant surgery and thus they want to limit Tylenol.  They cultured his blood to be sure infection was not starting.  The tests should be back in the morning.  Please pray this is not an infection but rather his body just adjusting.

His new heart beat is strong.  I have never been able to feel his pulse while holding his hands.  I can now.  You can also watch the heart beat in his chest.  It is amazing and humbling to witness this journey.  We have all shared moments of amazement today marveling over the miracle we have witnessed. The fact that God has allowed a human being to learn to take a beating heart out of one body, put on ice, transported on a jet, and then sewn into another body and have it beat again, is beyond what my mind can comprehend.

I am having the chance to really spend lots of time talking to his nursing team and asking questions. One of his nurses took me through the transcript of his new heart's journey.  I know the heart was physically out of the two bodies for a total of 4 hours from clamping out of the donor's body to clamping into Mark's chest.  She claimed that this time frame was incredible.  The longer the heart is outside the body the greater the risk.  She mentioned that the surgeon must have been "on" because the total procedure time was incredibly short compared to other heart transplants.  I know the team harvesting the organ flew on Mayo One—the corporate jet—rather than by helicopter.  She read me what happened every step of the way.  I learned how they worked around Mark's prosthetic aortic root.  They created a bypass with two grafts—one from an extra artery that we all have vertically just above our heart and the second from a vein in his groin.  The blood flow is being directed through these two grafts. A portion of his prosthetic aortic root was left in place to limit the risk of taking it out.  I learned that they did not have to shock him to get his new heart to beat on its own.  They did not have to cool Mark's body as low as they do most of the time.  I believe all of these unique conditions are moments of miracles and signs of God's protection and a direct result of the prayers being lifted.

I have had chance to look into the eyes of the surgeon who harvested the heart and the one who took out Mark's heart and connected his new one. I am humbled.  I am amazed.  I am grateful.

Tomorrow we pray for another set of milestones.  We believe they will take him back to the OR to clean out and close his chest.  We believe, if all goes well, they will remove the ventilator, breathing tubes and fully wake him tomorrow.  I am giddy with the excitement to hear his voice and see him one step closer to healing.  

I also ask that you pray for our sweet girls at home.  It is hard on them not being here and being away from both Mommy and Daddy.  I know they are concerned for him and want to see him as soon as possible.  I am working on the arrangements for them to travel here to be with us, and as usual, it is not a simple process or one that has clear answers.  Pray that I make the right decisions on when's the right time, how they get here, who they travel with, how long they stay, etc.  

I also am starting the process to find Mark a home for the next three months.  Cover me in prayer for this too.  I am trying to be sure I find a place that meets his needs and our budget.  I pray that this decision too will be easy and that the right option will be clear. 

We are grateful you are following our journey and helping pray for all the decisions we have now and those we will have to make in the coming days.