Transplant Thoughts

I have been thinking hard about the transplant that Joan received last week. I am so grateful that she was able to get the liver in time. I also feel an infinite sadness for the family who lost someone so Joan could live.

Joan and I discussed this when we found out that she needed the transplant. I think she was conlicted about it, I would be too. For me the conflict would be, could I live a worthy enough life after the transplant to deserve it? I don't know Joan's reasons of doubt, as she keeps everything close to her heart, but perhaps she has/had the same fear. I know that the person who gave Joan her liver did not die by choice, but for them to think beyond their death was altruism at its best. We will never know why the person who signed the donation card decided to do it in the first place. In fact, it seems we will never know anything at all about the person, as these things are kept private.

The donor family will never know Joan. I hope that they are finding some solace that their loved one is helping another family not deal with a death. If I could say thank you, I would a thousand times. Joan has always made the most of her life, and I know that with this second chance she will continue to do so. So even if she fears she is not worthy of this chance at life, I know undoubtedly that she is someone that has much more to give.

Tentatively.....OH HAPPY DAY!

I have had one of those weeks, that I hope will not be repeated in LONG time. The stress level has been off the charts, and my emotions have been back forth too many times to count.

I really thought that I had seen Joan for the last time. She took a turn for the worse last weekend, and just couldn't come back from the trauma. We found out on Tuesday that her new liver was failing, and she was going to be put back on the transplant list. Thursday she was really doing badly, and quite honestly I didn't know if she would make it. Then, nothing short of a miracle happened. They found her a liver and she received it yesterday morning. It was one month to the date from the first transplant. I have spoken with Jack numerous times since she came out of surgery, and everything is going well, dare I say really well? Her real color is coming back, her body chemistry is working. The doctors have warned that this is still going to be an uphill battle for her, because her body has gone through so much, and her stamina needs to be built up. But....my Joan as of today is doing better. Even a little better is glorious to the ears. They are talking about getting her up and walking maybe by Monday or Tuesday.

Thank you for the support that everyone has given me. I am sure that we will face more dark days, but hopefully with setbacks that can be taken care of quickly. I have a lot more that I want to write about this, but I wanted everyone to know the update, as it was finally good news.