This is an email update I sent to family & friends this afternoon. It was easier to copy & paste, rather than type it all over again here on my blog! Besides, I am tired and I need a shower ;-)
Hello All,
Most of you already know... (some of you... I missed as I typed in a big hurry yesterday as we were running out the door)...
Brooke went to surgery this morning, 3-18-09, at 5 AM, for her second heart transplant. She returned to her room shortly before noon. Everything went perfectly. She is doing well. She will remain somewhat sedated, as she is on the ventilator and is in the CICU (Cardiac ICU). They will start to wean her off of the vent tomorrow morning. Pray that that process goes smoothly. The doctors are anticipating a smooth process of removing her from the vent tomorrow, getting Brooke out of bed & walking tomorrow afternoon/evening, and back to the regular floor by the weekend. This is the ultimate plan... but remember, Brooke has never once followed the textbook yet! She tends to do things a bit differently, with surprises along the way!
We went down last evening and remained until approx. 1:30 PM today, then drove home. We did see her last night, but we did not go in to see her today as she has no immune system defenses right now, and it is best that only Mom, Dad & Brothers got in today. They were allowed to go in to look at her, but was not allowed to talk to her or touch her. Brooke knew they were there, because when Michelle first went in, she touched her & talked to her (then was quickly and firmly reprimanded by the nurse!), but, when Michelle did that, Brooke's blood pressure spiked up and the alarms started going off. So, she knew Michelle was there, even through the sedation. When Michelle stopped touching & talking, Brooke's BP calmed again. Of course, Brooke needs her rest, and they don't want her BP to spike, so that is why the restriction is in place.
I will keep you posted as best as I can... I doubt that Michelle will be able to update much on Brooke's website, because the computer is not with her right now. I doubt that she'll get to it tonight, as we all have been awake (a couple of cat naps here & there) since yesterday morning. Michelle & Rick (Brooke's parents) are exhausted. Donna & Don (Gram, who is my sister, and Pap) will be staying near the hospital the rest of the week, and probably the weekend.
The heart came from Illinois... that's all we were told about it, besides that it was flown in by a Lear jet. And, there was a space of time that Brooke was in surgery, with her heart removed and she was on the bypass machine, even before the heart arrived at the hospital. When we heard that... it gave us all a start... then we immediately started to pray that nothing happened to the jet or the helicopter that was to bring the heart to the hospital from the airport... The doctors had faith... we had to find ours in a hurry!
All I can say is GOD IS GOOD! and GOD WAS THERE with Brooke, the doctors & the surgical team, at all times! The doctor said everything went perfectly. There is not a doubt in my mind that God's hand was in it all! From the time that the doctors said she needed a new heart and put her on the 2B transplant list, through the time that she got severely sick and had to be hospitalized which moved her to the 1 A list (the top of the transplant list)... and through yesterday & today's events... and God will continue to see her through the recovery, as well. God's Will be done! But, your continued prayers on her behalf, wouldn't hurt at all. But, make them prayers of Thanksgiving! And, please, by no means, forget the family of the donor. That families hearts are broken and grieving. And, they need God's hand, God's guidance & God's comfort through this difficult time, also. They need our prayers, too!
Check back with me about Brooke... I don't want to forget anyone... but, I know that I'll miss punching in someone's name with these bulk emails I send.
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