Transplant Day and ICU (Part 2 of Transplant #2)

If you missed the last Blog post-The Call-you can scroll down & read it by clicking on "Older Posts" on the right hand side.  These next blogs will be in chronological order, so you can always go back if you so desire to "read" the story.
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Scott did an amazing job updating everyone during the surgery and the days following.  Obviously I have no recollection of those 5 days post-surgery or the ups and downs my family and friends were going through because I was in God’s hands and had no cares of this world.  God was in control doing what He does best.

My Donate Life posse settled themselves in an area known as The Atrium (fitting for a heart surgery right?) and camped out for the night waiting on any news.   Then almost everyone slept a bit during the night by pulling chairs together and staff gave them blankets.  My sister arrived from Chicago on August 12 at 2pm.

I’ve heard amusing stories from my family that they were having “too much fun” waiting during surgery. Laughing and telling stories.  Getting funny looks from other people.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Especially for the kids.  It’s hard enough waiting in the hospital setting and I’m grateful that everyone’s spirits were kept up.  I also don’t put it past my sister that she began some of the shenanigans with a particular cardboard cutout of a lady they named Madison.

This portion of the blog is mainly pics from my waiting room brigade.  I’ve also decided to include a few from ICU during those days that I wouldn’t wake up (if you read Scott’s updates).    I’ve always been very transparent to you all and it will show the progress that was and continues to be made each day.  The nurses were giving my sister a hard time for taking some of the pics, telling her that “your sister’s going to kill you.” However, Scott just took them.  

 But the truth is, I have these same type of pictures from every surgery I’ve ever had.  And it reminds me of the strength that God gave me to endure and persevere through some very precarious situations.  Organ donation is such a wonderful, miraculous thing and it is becoming more "common".  I know many of you know people on both sides of the organ donation journey.  But the transplant journey is not an easy road.  It's an uphill battle to get back to where you were before you became sick.  I cherish everyone's prayers and well wishes.  Thank you so much! 

Lisa Arrives and finds "Madison"

Dad is introduced to Madison

Madison graciously has her picture taken with the whole crew

The Brigade:  Scott, my sister, Scott's Mom, my Mom, the kids, my Step-Mom and my Dad

Scott's selfie with the morning crew as Russ arrives

And now for the the ICU pics post transplant from August 12-16

August 12-Scott's first peek of me after surgery

August 13

My eyes open slightly at my sister's voice

A new type of breathing mask is added

With electrodes on my head to monitor brain activity

This song came to me this morning as I was getting ready to publish this blog and this is exactly what God was doing during the time I wouldn't wake up.  If you remember from my last blog I talked about crawling in Jesus's lap.  Well, then He just held me and carried me through the battles that needed to be fought.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jZmBQn_018