Oh Happy Day!

July 29

Day 6 - Post Transplant

Oh Happy Day!  Our family was finally reunited.  The six of us have not been together since Mark's balloon pump was placed in June—50 days ago.  Mark has not lived at home for 168 days.  These girls have been troopers—taking each day one day at a time.  They have missed their Daddy terribly—and so have I.  We have learned much about patience and waiting and also about how we must continue on, despite the challenges that each day brings.

  

Mark and his girls!

Look who Mommy found!

Selfie at RDU with David

Aunt Cari flew from Rochester to RDU to meet Uncle David and the girls, then the five girls flew to Rochester.  It was a great feeling to get to hug our girls tight and an even greater feeling to see them with their Daddy.  Everyone was excited to make the trip and finally be together again.

All the girls!

Our local friends, Lori & Michael and Cathy & Randy, surprised us with dinner.  None of us expected Mark to be able to join us for the festivities.  We spent time eating, talking and watching all seven girls become fast friends.  Lori is from Clayton and I have known her since she was a tiny little dancer at Clayton School of Dance.  Her husband Michael is from Garner.  They moved to Rochester a few years back for Michael to work at Mayo.  Cathy & Randy are new friends we just met.  They were the first to arrive when the Mark got the call about his heart last Saturday night.  They sat with Mark and kept him company for the hours of preparations fro surgery.  They packed up his personal belongings and coordinated getting them to us.  They prayed with Mark as he was leaving for surgery and sent photos for me.  They slept in the hospital and waited until we were able to arrive at the hospital.

Celebrating the difference a week makes!

Both of these families have ties to the Raleigh area. Lori & Michael's parents still live in Clayton and Garner.  One of Cathy and Randy's daughters lives in Wake Forest.  We are already making plans for getting together on future trips back to North Carolina.  We are finding that the world keeps getting smaller and smaller.


We are thankful that God brought us all together to surround Mark.  They have visited with him more times than I can count over the past couple of months.  They have brought him meals, grocery shopped, ran errands, talked with him, the little girls have played UNO with him and showered Mark with drawings, hugs and love.  In fact, the Rogers girls all call Mayo, "Mr. Mark's hospital" and little EL, who is almost one, said "Mr. Mark" the other day. ;-)  

Both of these families have been available to help with whatever the need.  Prior to being hospital bound, Lori & Michael opened their home to Mark weekly for dinner and play time with the girls.  And, all of us have had the joy of helping move Mark's belongings from hospital room to car, to hospital room, to car to hotel multiple times without complaint. ;-)

Catching up on all the news from the week.

They have all stepped in and adopted Mark.  They will never know how much their kindness, generosity, compassion and care has meant to Mark and me.  We love you guys.  Thank you for all the ways you have made Mark's Rochester adventure more bearable.

EL loved the big girls.

Both families have loved on us this week with prayers, hugs, visits and food.  Cathy & Randy's daughter, Emily, also brought us a meal and fresh baked brownies that we are still working on finishing.  We all have connected on a level that is deeper than most friendships.  They have met our needs and been willing to help in any way needed.  We are eternally grateful and know they are all angels and part of God's plan for protecting us and covering our every need.

Catching a quick smile.  He promises he is smiling. ;-)

Looking good for one week post transplant.

Aleah, Ardyn and MG playing tic-tac-toe.

Our night nurse is from South Carolina.