It has almost been a month. I know that for certain because I am sitting in the waiting room while Tammy gets her "one month" bronchoscopy. After all, there is a post transplant schedule that we must all strictly adhere to, you know. Plus, the doctors are being incredibly cautious in their dealings with Tammy because this is her second and last chance for lungs. I happen to like the extra caution on her behalf, though it probably (almost definitely) drives her crazy! Since I have a few hours on my hands, in honor of her almost one month anniversary, I have changed the look of the blog. When I saw the dandelions, I was reminded when I was a little girl. I could never remember all the wishes I wished before I would blow the seeds into the air (and all over the yard) just knowing that those wishes would certainly one day come true. Well, I am older, and God, by His grace, has taught me the differences between wishes and prayers. Where my faith was once one of dandelion fluff and scattered winds, now it is rooted and purposeful in the love and grace of a merciful God, who hears and loves and answers.
For those of you who know Tammy well, she is more "herself" than she has been since this all started. She is up and down all the time, even to the point of keeping the laundry caught up. It is pretty funny. Since she can't lift the laundry basket, she trots from the dryer to the couch and back again carrying a few items at a time. We should probably get her a pedometer to see how many miles it takes to get a family's laundry done. Like she says, "It sure ain't fast, but I get the job done!"
Her stamina and energy are improving as well. Last week she walked 0.85 miles in 30 minutes! When she goes to therapy (3x a week), she is doing a combination of treadmill, bicycle, and leg presses. Believe it or not, she even has the energy to walk to the car when she is done! We haven't had to use the walker or the wheelchair since she came home. She is also planning "stops" for us to do "one day." You know it goes something like this, "One day we need to stop by the police station to see the Chief and everyone." Or, "One day we need to go that new restaurant." As a matter of fact, I need you to pray that I get a job so that I can go visit all of those "one day" restaurants! She has enough of them picked out that we could eat at a new place everyday for the next few months. In short, her get-up-and-go, that got up and went, was on a round trip and has returned with a vengeance to make up for lost time.
When you look at our schedule, it sometimes looks like we are riding around on one of those dandelion seeds that I mentioned earlier. And sometimes it feels like it, too, but it is a ride worth taking, and we are fully confident in the One in charge of directing the breeze. I cannot tell you the joy that has been brought into our lives from knowing that the prayers of saints surround us every step we take. I thank God every day for your faithfulness, your love, and your encouragement.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
TAMMY UNLEASHED!!! (photos at end of post)
We absolutely cannot stop grinning in the Barnes' household. It is absolutely astonishing to look across the room and see Tammy breathing on her own. She hops up and down off the couch, "just because she can." She was up and down so much yesterday that she was too tired last night to try the stairs to take a shower. So today, she is gonna take a nap.
It is as if a sense of freedom has enveloped her spirit and her mind, and it can't help bubbling out as she does things for herself. I think I take too much for granted. I watch her celebrate being able to clean off her shelves, and I am convicted of all the jobs I am putting off around the house. I see her satisfaction because she has been able to walk all the way from the parking lot, across the lobby of the professional center, and up the elevator to her clinic appointment. Then, I am convicted that I need to be more active. Last night she threw her cannulas and oxygen tubing in the trash can. As we all clapped and celebrated, I thought of some of the things that I have in my life that are keeping me "leashed." So, yet again, I am learning about me by looking at Tammy.
I guess that is how God created us. The Bible talks of "iron sharpening iron." As we interact with, live with, and love others, we see our real selves better. Or, let me say, we should see our selves better. Life happens so quickly that I look at life, but I forget to "see" truly what is before me. In the movie "Avatar," the characters greet each other with the phrase, "I see you" meaning more than the outsides of the person, but the depth of the person they are greeting. It implies a deep and intimate knowledge of the other person. What I observed as the main male character progressed through the story, he had to learn to "see" himself before he could really connect to the others. He had to quit pretending, to evaluate what was important, and to make a choice.
Tammy's limitations over the last year have been beyond her control. Right now, she is discovering what the limitations of her new life will be and how far she will be able to move forward. And she rejoices at every small thing. But we learned last year when we were watching numbers as she laid in her bed in ICU that there are no "small things" when we are talking about progress with our health. I challenge you to look at your life. Are you "leashed"? Do you feel as if you can only get so far with a problem, only to find yourself abruptly stopped? Is there something you can do (you probably already know what it is) to unhook the leash and step forward? I urge you to search the Bible, see what God has to say about it, then follow His instructions. Sometimes coming unleashed means choosing to hang on and fight (like marriage or Tammy hanging on to her health) and sometimes it is letting go (like grief or addiction). I know that God promises when we seek Him, we will find Him. I also know from experience the best way to interpret what you are seeing about yourself through others is to look into the mirror of scripture. Let me know how it goes. Tammy and the whole family would love to hear what God is doing in your life as we share ours with you.
Here are the first pics of Tammy and Cydney sharing their first day after Graduation Day. I hope they make you grin too!
It is as if a sense of freedom has enveloped her spirit and her mind, and it can't help bubbling out as she does things for herself. I think I take too much for granted. I watch her celebrate being able to clean off her shelves, and I am convicted of all the jobs I am putting off around the house. I see her satisfaction because she has been able to walk all the way from the parking lot, across the lobby of the professional center, and up the elevator to her clinic appointment. Then, I am convicted that I need to be more active. Last night she threw her cannulas and oxygen tubing in the trash can. As we all clapped and celebrated, I thought of some of the things that I have in my life that are keeping me "leashed." So, yet again, I am learning about me by looking at Tammy.
I guess that is how God created us. The Bible talks of "iron sharpening iron." As we interact with, live with, and love others, we see our real selves better. Or, let me say, we should see our selves better. Life happens so quickly that I look at life, but I forget to "see" truly what is before me. In the movie "Avatar," the characters greet each other with the phrase, "I see you" meaning more than the outsides of the person, but the depth of the person they are greeting. It implies a deep and intimate knowledge of the other person. What I observed as the main male character progressed through the story, he had to learn to "see" himself before he could really connect to the others. He had to quit pretending, to evaluate what was important, and to make a choice.
Tammy's limitations over the last year have been beyond her control. Right now, she is discovering what the limitations of her new life will be and how far she will be able to move forward. And she rejoices at every small thing. But we learned last year when we were watching numbers as she laid in her bed in ICU that there are no "small things" when we are talking about progress with our health. I challenge you to look at your life. Are you "leashed"? Do you feel as if you can only get so far with a problem, only to find yourself abruptly stopped? Is there something you can do (you probably already know what it is) to unhook the leash and step forward? I urge you to search the Bible, see what God has to say about it, then follow His instructions. Sometimes coming unleashed means choosing to hang on and fight (like marriage or Tammy hanging on to her health) and sometimes it is letting go (like grief or addiction). I know that God promises when we seek Him, we will find Him. I also know from experience the best way to interpret what you are seeing about yourself through others is to look into the mirror of scripture. Let me know how it goes. Tammy and the whole family would love to hear what God is doing in your life as we share ours with you.
Here are the first pics of Tammy and Cydney sharing their first day after Graduation Day. I hope they make you grin too!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
She's coming home!
Last week I spent 2 days concentrating on helping my daughter prepare for leaving home, today we are running around the house, moving beds and changing sheets, preparing for Tammy to come home! TODAY!
Over the weekend, she was able to have two chest tubes removed. Yesterday, the got rid of the last two. After the I.V. antibiotics are done, she will be officially what we call "leash free." For over a year now she has had to be connected to air tanks, oxygen concentrators, and sometimes an I.V. pole 24/7. And now she is just a few days away from being completely done with all of it. I have to tell you, my favorite thing is that I can see her whole face without a moustache of tubing! It is a beautiful thing.
I am certain she would say her favorite thing is not having to drag a tank and not having air constantly blown up her nose. It is a crazy thing to finally be free.
Well, kinda free... She has to stay away from crowds for 3 months and has to wear a mask anytime she is out in public for 2 months. Or... it could be the other way around. Either way, no church for a while, nor big parties. You can come visit us if you want. Our home is open. If you have found me on facebook, send me a message to let me know you want to come. However, if you have sniffles, coughs, or have been around anyone who has been sick in the last 7 days... um... please don't ask to come. Even if you think it is just allergies, sometimes that can be a mild virus causing the sniffles. For Tammy, with her immune system where it is, there is no such thing as a mild virus. Just so you know how serious we are about this, her dad hasn't been able to see her since right after the transplant because he has been on antibiotics. I am not trying to be mean. It is just important to be extra careful. An illness at this time could trigger rejection, and we don't want rejection. I guess this kind of "fear of rejection" can be a little healthy?
It is a glorious day. Even though the sun is hiding behind the clouds, there is no hiding the enthusiasm in our hearts today. The kids aren't even complaining about doing the dishes, or starting laundry, or having to pick up stuff. But, I bet they wish I was helping. That is probably the Holy Spirit that is whispering, "Duh" in my ear, so, I will post more later today once we get her home. I pray you are celebrating with us, and that you find something to celebrate in your own life today.
Over the weekend, she was able to have two chest tubes removed. Yesterday, the got rid of the last two. After the I.V. antibiotics are done, she will be officially what we call "leash free." For over a year now she has had to be connected to air tanks, oxygen concentrators, and sometimes an I.V. pole 24/7. And now she is just a few days away from being completely done with all of it. I have to tell you, my favorite thing is that I can see her whole face without a moustache of tubing! It is a beautiful thing.
I am certain she would say her favorite thing is not having to drag a tank and not having air constantly blown up her nose. It is a crazy thing to finally be free.
Well, kinda free... She has to stay away from crowds for 3 months and has to wear a mask anytime she is out in public for 2 months. Or... it could be the other way around. Either way, no church for a while, nor big parties. You can come visit us if you want. Our home is open. If you have found me on facebook, send me a message to let me know you want to come. However, if you have sniffles, coughs, or have been around anyone who has been sick in the last 7 days... um... please don't ask to come. Even if you think it is just allergies, sometimes that can be a mild virus causing the sniffles. For Tammy, with her immune system where it is, there is no such thing as a mild virus. Just so you know how serious we are about this, her dad hasn't been able to see her since right after the transplant because he has been on antibiotics. I am not trying to be mean. It is just important to be extra careful. An illness at this time could trigger rejection, and we don't want rejection. I guess this kind of "fear of rejection" can be a little healthy?
It is a glorious day. Even though the sun is hiding behind the clouds, there is no hiding the enthusiasm in our hearts today. The kids aren't even complaining about doing the dishes, or starting laundry, or having to pick up stuff. But, I bet they wish I was helping. That is probably the Holy Spirit that is whispering, "Duh" in my ear, so, I will post more later today once we get her home. I pray you are celebrating with us, and that you find something to celebrate in your own life today.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Graduation Day, June 7, 2010
Yes, I realize this is the 9th, not the 7th, but that day was a wee bit crazy! But it was an exciting day nonetheless. Both Tammy and Cydney graduated that day: Cydney from high school, and Tammy from the ventilator!
I know to my facebook friends that is old news, but you cannot have a clue in just a few lines of text of how exciting that is for all of us. We were absolutely thrilled when we got the text that she was off and everyone at the graduation party at the house was celebrating and praising God for all that He has done, not just in the last week, but in the last few years! How amazing is He? Amazing beyond comprehension.
Poor Tammy, though, had her days and nights mixed up that day. She couldn't figure out why The Price is Right was on so late. Then when they were asking her for medical release to remove the ventilator, she told them to ask her family. When the nurse said no one was there, she was a little miffed. Why wasn't someone there? Later, after she stewed on it a while, she asked what day it was. Monday. OK, so what time is it? 11:00 a.m. OH... then she got it and we were all forgiven.
When she got off the ventilator, her voice was a little weak, but she could talk. She said she would have called us, but I had her phone. Oops again. By the time I was able to get here on Tuesday, she had been walking around the nurses station twice in ICU and had moved to a "regular" room. When we got to the new room, the girl was gone! She had gone down to have a test to see if she could eat. All I could think was, "Man, it is going to be a crazy summer trying to keep up with her!"
By the way, she passed the swallow study so she did get to eat real food last night. It has to be soft, but she had fish, mac and cheese, and jello. So, not too bad. She is also walking and sitting in the chair pretty much all day, but still needs naps to "recharge her batteries."
There are a few things that have to happen before she leave the hospital. One, chest tubes have to come out. She still has them because she has a small air leak which is keeping one of the lungs from fully inflating. That isn't as scary as it sounds, but they are trying to keep fluids and more air from building up in the chest cavity to relieve the pressure from around her lungs. Second, they have to get certain levels of rejection medications built up in her system, which involves some frequent i.v. meds. Once those levels are stabilized and her body responds, we can mark #2 off the list. Three, the rest of her levels in her blood need to be stable or improving. For example, if her kidneys get stressed, (they aren't now) and the numbers get off balance in her blood, then, she doesn't need to go home. I think that is all that he mentioned today, but there can always be something new that comes up.
She is showing some signs in her blood work of a few infections/bacteria, but the antibiotics that they are giving her are known to be effective against these bacteria. The doctors seem to think since she is doing so well, these illnesses haven't been able to take hold. There is potential danger, but there is no indicator that there are any complications.
As you pray for Tammy and praise God for His work in her life, I challenge you to make a list of all that He has done for you in the last week. I am hoping to stay caught up on all the "information" about Tammy so that I can begin sharing with you some of the really cool things that have happened.
I know to my facebook friends that is old news, but you cannot have a clue in just a few lines of text of how exciting that is for all of us. We were absolutely thrilled when we got the text that she was off and everyone at the graduation party at the house was celebrating and praising God for all that He has done, not just in the last week, but in the last few years! How amazing is He? Amazing beyond comprehension.
Poor Tammy, though, had her days and nights mixed up that day. She couldn't figure out why The Price is Right was on so late. Then when they were asking her for medical release to remove the ventilator, she told them to ask her family. When the nurse said no one was there, she was a little miffed. Why wasn't someone there? Later, after she stewed on it a while, she asked what day it was. Monday. OK, so what time is it? 11:00 a.m. OH... then she got it and we were all forgiven.
When she got off the ventilator, her voice was a little weak, but she could talk. She said she would have called us, but I had her phone. Oops again. By the time I was able to get here on Tuesday, she had been walking around the nurses station twice in ICU and had moved to a "regular" room. When we got to the new room, the girl was gone! She had gone down to have a test to see if she could eat. All I could think was, "Man, it is going to be a crazy summer trying to keep up with her!"
By the way, she passed the swallow study so she did get to eat real food last night. It has to be soft, but she had fish, mac and cheese, and jello. So, not too bad. She is also walking and sitting in the chair pretty much all day, but still needs naps to "recharge her batteries."
There are a few things that have to happen before she leave the hospital. One, chest tubes have to come out. She still has them because she has a small air leak which is keeping one of the lungs from fully inflating. That isn't as scary as it sounds, but they are trying to keep fluids and more air from building up in the chest cavity to relieve the pressure from around her lungs. Second, they have to get certain levels of rejection medications built up in her system, which involves some frequent i.v. meds. Once those levels are stabilized and her body responds, we can mark #2 off the list. Three, the rest of her levels in her blood need to be stable or improving. For example, if her kidneys get stressed, (they aren't now) and the numbers get off balance in her blood, then, she doesn't need to go home. I think that is all that he mentioned today, but there can always be something new that comes up.
She is showing some signs in her blood work of a few infections/bacteria, but the antibiotics that they are giving her are known to be effective against these bacteria. The doctors seem to think since she is doing so well, these illnesses haven't been able to take hold. There is potential danger, but there is no indicator that there are any complications.
As you pray for Tammy and praise God for His work in her life, I challenge you to make a list of all that He has done for you in the last week. I am hoping to stay caught up on all the "information" about Tammy so that I can begin sharing with you some of the really cool things that have happened.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
What a difference a week makes!
I think I have said that before, but last Sunday we were trying to figure out where we would be putting a bypap machine in our house. This week we are wondering if we can send these oxygen tanks back. How cool would that be?
Tammy is doing really well. She is responding when we talk to her and trying to communicate. However her handwriting looks like scribble, her spelling when she tries to sign is, um, lacking, and trying to read someones lips with a tube the size of a garden hose (slight exaggeration, but not much) sticking out of it... Let's just say it is frustrating on both sides. She absolutely knows what she wants to say, and we absolutely want to know what she wants to say, but there is absolutely no meeting of the minds.
The doctors are hoping to get her off of the ventilator tomorrow which would be great. Then at least we could read her lips better. Poor Kid. Cydney, my daughter, said it would be a great graduation gift. I absolutely agree.
We have been amazed by many things in the last year. And as I am getting things ready for my daughters graduation party, I have been reminded of how short life really is. If you have lived long enough to have anything to "look back"on, you know what I am talking about. Precious things. Beautiful things. Fleeting things. Things like the belly laugh of a baby when something has really cracked them up. Like the first time you roast a marshmallow... and it catches on fire. First time you hit a baseball. First time a child says to you, "I wub yew." We remember each of those things. But sometimes we forget the second time or the third time or the thirtieth time. With each occurrence, something special becomes less special. Why is that? I think, for me it is because I let myself believe that the "special things" will always be a part of my life until MY life ends. I know it's selfish, but aren't we a little that way. It's the saying, "You don't know what you've got until it's gone."
When I look at Tammy's life and the things she has had to say good-bye to, and when I remember that I almost had to say good-bye to her, I am challenged to look around me at what is in my every day. Every day I can hug my kids, kiss my hubby, love on my dog, call a friend on the phone, pray to my God. Every day I can communicate my likes, my dislikes, my hurts, my joys. Every day I can celebrate that I have food to eat, dishes to wash, clothes to fold, floors to mop, and today, use my flyswatter to chase down all the little critters that keep buzzing against the windows. Yeah, I am a little surprised by that last sentence, too. But can you imagine your life without them?
Last week I would have said, "If I never had to wash clothes again, that would be OK with me." This week, I am working on being thankful, not just for the things I enjoy, but the every day, same ol' stuff. Because this week, when Tammy got the call for this second transplant, I learned the value of life beyond the "firsts."
Tammy is doing really well. She is responding when we talk to her and trying to communicate. However her handwriting looks like scribble, her spelling when she tries to sign is, um, lacking, and trying to read someones lips with a tube the size of a garden hose (slight exaggeration, but not much) sticking out of it... Let's just say it is frustrating on both sides. She absolutely knows what she wants to say, and we absolutely want to know what she wants to say, but there is absolutely no meeting of the minds.
The doctors are hoping to get her off of the ventilator tomorrow which would be great. Then at least we could read her lips better. Poor Kid. Cydney, my daughter, said it would be a great graduation gift. I absolutely agree.
We have been amazed by many things in the last year. And as I am getting things ready for my daughters graduation party, I have been reminded of how short life really is. If you have lived long enough to have anything to "look back"on, you know what I am talking about. Precious things. Beautiful things. Fleeting things. Things like the belly laugh of a baby when something has really cracked them up. Like the first time you roast a marshmallow... and it catches on fire. First time you hit a baseball. First time a child says to you, "I wub yew." We remember each of those things. But sometimes we forget the second time or the third time or the thirtieth time. With each occurrence, something special becomes less special. Why is that? I think, for me it is because I let myself believe that the "special things" will always be a part of my life until MY life ends. I know it's selfish, but aren't we a little that way. It's the saying, "You don't know what you've got until it's gone."
When I look at Tammy's life and the things she has had to say good-bye to, and when I remember that I almost had to say good-bye to her, I am challenged to look around me at what is in my every day. Every day I can hug my kids, kiss my hubby, love on my dog, call a friend on the phone, pray to my God. Every day I can communicate my likes, my dislikes, my hurts, my joys. Every day I can celebrate that I have food to eat, dishes to wash, clothes to fold, floors to mop, and today, use my flyswatter to chase down all the little critters that keep buzzing against the windows. Yeah, I am a little surprised by that last sentence, too. But can you imagine your life without them?
Last week I would have said, "If I never had to wash clothes again, that would be OK with me." This week, I am working on being thankful, not just for the things I enjoy, but the every day, same ol' stuff. Because this week, when Tammy got the call for this second transplant, I learned the value of life beyond the "firsts."
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Morning After - Good News, Bad News
So there is always a "Good News, Bad News" story, right? So, when I got here this morning I wasn't able see her because they were doing a bronchoscopy - that's the bad news. But then, I was able to go back about 11 and the doctor was still there - that's the good news. He said she had a few secretions in the lungs and was able to some of that out during the bronch - that's the good news. But then he said, "... and she will probably be intibated for four maybe five DAYS." Any guess on that one? Yeah, that's the bad news. But considering the worst of our bad news on this blog, it's really not so bad. As long as it doesn't stretch to 28 days, right?
However, I will finish off with good news. When I went into the room, I immediately straightened her fingers (remember that she lost some fingertips the last time) and when I walked around the bed, she was following me with her eyes! Crazy good news! Now, let me be clear. She only looked, did a quick nod when I said the surgery went well, wrinkled her eyebrow when I said she would be on the vent for a few days, then faded away. I stayed back there for 20 min, and she didn't ever wake up again. They have her on the heavy duty meds again.
We know that her numbers look really good and she does have a little fever, but that is to be expected. I am not worried about that stuff yet.
Also, I need you to know that I realize someone, somewhere is planning a funeral and writing an obituary today. They are heavy on my heart every time I write. I promise you, in a day or two, I will visit those thoughts more deeply. I am putting it off, not because their sacrifice is an afterthought, but because it I feel the full weight of their loss. It is not something I am avoiding, but something I want to make certain I can articulate the very best I have to offer them. Though even at my best, it will still be only words.
However, I will finish off with good news. When I went into the room, I immediately straightened her fingers (remember that she lost some fingertips the last time) and when I walked around the bed, she was following me with her eyes! Crazy good news! Now, let me be clear. She only looked, did a quick nod when I said the surgery went well, wrinkled her eyebrow when I said she would be on the vent for a few days, then faded away. I stayed back there for 20 min, and she didn't ever wake up again. They have her on the heavy duty meds again.
We know that her numbers look really good and she does have a little fever, but that is to be expected. I am not worried about that stuff yet.
Also, I need you to know that I realize someone, somewhere is planning a funeral and writing an obituary today. They are heavy on my heart every time I write. I promise you, in a day or two, I will visit those thoughts more deeply. I am putting it off, not because their sacrifice is an afterthought, but because it I feel the full weight of their loss. It is not something I am avoiding, but something I want to make certain I can articulate the very best I have to offer them. Though even at my best, it will still be only words.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
All done!
After 7 long hours, they are finished with surgery. Things went as well as can be expected. The lungs seem to be working well. We should be able to see her in an hour or so which will be around 12:30 a.m.
Let me catch you up on the time line. They originally said that she would be going in at 12:30 p.m., but we were still in our room. Shortly before 1:00 p.m. we went down to the surgery suite, and her dad, sister and brother went back to spend some time with her. Finally around 4:00 we get a message from the operating room that they have begun surgery, and the lungs were 30 minutes away and they would call when the lungs got here. Well... an hour and a half later, still no word. After a call to the coordinator, who promptly called the operating room, we got the update that they had removed the right lung and were attaching the new one. That was at 5:30 pm. The next update was at 7 p.m. saying they were finished with the right lung and were preparing to remove the left lung. By now, we have noticed that we have had an update every 1 1/2 hours. Yeah, well, that's what we get for using our brains. When 8:30 rolled around and there was no news, we were a bit miffed that they messed up the rhythm. At 8:50 p.m., they called and said they were just beginning to attach the left lung. They had some difficulty with bleeding (because of excessive scarring) and had to give her a few more units of blood than they expected. Finally at 10:30 p.m. (they were trying to get back on schedule you will notice) they called and said they were closing her up. The lead surgeon came out and told us he was pleased with how things went. So now we are waiting to get a glimpse of the "sleeping beauty."
I am writing in a bit of a fog. Even after the 3 liters of Diet Coke that I have sipped on all day, I am still "past ready" for bed. She should sleep well for tonight, maybe even a few days. I will let you know more about all of that when I get a chance to speak to the doctors.
Though, sweet friends, I must make a confession: I am writing this down not just to update you, but so that I can get it straight when Tammy starts asking in a day or two. I am crummy with numbers on a good day, and time telling involves numbers, and I am too sleepy to make myself remember. However, we do praise God for each and every prayer, post, and text that you have sent our way. There will be much more on that in the days to come as well.
May this post find you smiling and rejoicing and may your day be glorious in the presence of our Creator.
Let me catch you up on the time line. They originally said that she would be going in at 12:30 p.m., but we were still in our room. Shortly before 1:00 p.m. we went down to the surgery suite, and her dad, sister and brother went back to spend some time with her. Finally around 4:00 we get a message from the operating room that they have begun surgery, and the lungs were 30 minutes away and they would call when the lungs got here. Well... an hour and a half later, still no word. After a call to the coordinator, who promptly called the operating room, we got the update that they had removed the right lung and were attaching the new one. That was at 5:30 pm. The next update was at 7 p.m. saying they were finished with the right lung and were preparing to remove the left lung. By now, we have noticed that we have had an update every 1 1/2 hours. Yeah, well, that's what we get for using our brains. When 8:30 rolled around and there was no news, we were a bit miffed that they messed up the rhythm. At 8:50 p.m., they called and said they were just beginning to attach the left lung. They had some difficulty with bleeding (because of excessive scarring) and had to give her a few more units of blood than they expected. Finally at 10:30 p.m. (they were trying to get back on schedule you will notice) they called and said they were closing her up. The lead surgeon came out and told us he was pleased with how things went. So now we are waiting to get a glimpse of the "sleeping beauty."
I am writing in a bit of a fog. Even after the 3 liters of Diet Coke that I have sipped on all day, I am still "past ready" for bed. She should sleep well for tonight, maybe even a few days. I will let you know more about all of that when I get a chance to speak to the doctors.
Though, sweet friends, I must make a confession: I am writing this down not just to update you, but so that I can get it straight when Tammy starts asking in a day or two. I am crummy with numbers on a good day, and time telling involves numbers, and I am too sleepy to make myself remember. However, we do praise God for each and every prayer, post, and text that you have sent our way. There will be much more on that in the days to come as well.
May this post find you smiling and rejoicing and may your day be glorious in the presence of our Creator.
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