Thursday, July 29, 2010

I'm Baaack!!

I’m home, I’m home! Thanks to the generosity of my donor and her family, the commitment of my wonderful doctors and nurses, the unrelenting support of my parents and family and the unfathomable love I’ve received from all of you, I have a new heart, am home, and am doing quite well.

A huge thank you to Marguerite for keeping everyone informed of my progress – even as she logged long hours at the office during one of our busiest times of the year.

The last eight days have not been pretty, but I’m told I’m making good progress. I even walked out of the hospital today because the wheelchair was taking too long! My first heart biopsy result was negative for rejection today, so that’s a GREAT first step.

I have so much to say and share, but I haven’t built up much strength just yet. I did want to post a quick note to confirm that I have made it home and to thank you for the outpouring of support. I am so touched and humbled by all of your kind words. The piles of e-cards I received were a true inspiration and gave me the fuel I needed to power through each day.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I have a long road ahead and truly appreciate your continued support! More to come soon…

23 comments:

  1. Hooray! So happy to hear you are home and well. I'm thinking good thoughts for you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Andrea

    I am so thrilled for you and a GREAT big thank you to Marguerite for sharing this link.

    We are all thinking of you and wishing you the FASTEST recovery possible !!!

    Warm Regards,

    Kirsten & Your Friends in Consumer Sciences

    ReplyDelete
  3. Andrea,

    You are incredible!!! And, I am so VERY happy for you.

    Home in EIGHT days!?!?!?! Heck, I was in a coma for 5 days after my transplant, and eventually home in 14 days.

    I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers and you know that if you need anything, I'm only a quick email away.

    God Bless!!

    Don @ My2ndHeartBeat

    ReplyDelete
  4. We are so excited that you are home and doing well! And that you got to eat a cheeseburger! Let me know if you need anything over the next few weeks. My kids are all rooting for you!

    Eva

    ReplyDelete
  5. YOU DID IT!! I am so happy and excited for you and can't wait to see Andrea 2.0! You are quite the trooper and a total rock star!! You remain in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy, pain-free recovery!! Miss you LOTS!! If you were able to come to the groups tomorrow, I would have ordered a pepperoni pizza just for you -- screw the proverbial M&Ms!! I'll stop writing now, because I clearly have used my annual quota of exclamation points. I'll be in touch!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Truly a joy to see your post and know that you are home. I am sure it will be wonderful sleeping in your home!
    Continued warm thoughts and prayers for your recovery!
    Linda (Chris's aunt)

    ReplyDelete
  7. So happy to know that you are home and doing so well. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers as you continue this journey of recovery.
    Big hugs from Texas,
    Bob & Melanie

    ReplyDelete
  8. WOHOO! So happy you're home & hope you had a great night's sleep in your own bed. Can't wait to hear all about it. xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations!!! I've been hooked to your blog reading each update. You are absolutely amazing and I'm so happy that all is going so well!

    All the best,
    Christine (Breezy's friend from NYC)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Welcome home Andrea!
    So happy that you are out of the hospital.
    Keep up the great work and get lots of rest.
    Buckley and I are sending love and hugs!
    XOXO, Marion

    ReplyDelete
  11. How amazing that you are already home which is by far the best place to rest and heal. We look at the blog everyday for the updates and it has been so exciting to follow your phenomenal progress from getting the perfect heart to getting out of the hospital so quickly and then even writing your own beautiful post--a gift to all of us. You are a rock star!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wooohooooo!!! So great to hear that you're back home again and writing updates. What a truly wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  13. andrea -- welcome home! happy to hear you are in your own home, own bed, and own shower! you made an appearance at our business plan presentations -- where's andrea??!?!?!
    so nice to see/hear your blogging speak. keep going girl!

    ReplyDelete
  14. WELCOME HOME! We are all sending you lots of love from Spider Country. You are being thought off everywhere - keep on keepin' on! So happy to hear of all your great progress!!! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awesome news --- can't wait to catch up soon.... Expect that you'll beat me up the subway stairs the next time we're in NYC!

    ReplyDelete
  16. YIPPEEE! I'm so glad you are home. I'm sure it's GREAT being home. I hope your recovery is VERY fast! A huge thanks to Marg and Aunt Christine for keeping all of us in the loop. It was interesting seeing the "competition" on who had the best updates :). They both did great.

    You continue to be in our prayers!

    Love,
    Andy, Amy, Will and Kayla

    ReplyDelete
  17. So glad to hear you are home and resting! All of your current (and even many former) j3 friends are rooting for your speedy recovery.

    All our best,
    Nicole & J3 Team

    ReplyDelete
  18. I cannot believe you are home- YAY!!! That is so amazing and inspirational.....you will have a care package coming from BAP girls soon :) Hope you continue to recover so quickly- I was super excited about your cheeseburger post.

    Love you!
    Rach

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dre! We're so happy you're home - what amazing news!! You are such a rock star and are such an inspiration!

    - Elizabeth & David

    ReplyDelete
  20. Tommy heard from work that you had gotten a transplant and we were told how to look up your blog. We're so happy you are doing so well! I appreciate being able to look back into a glimpse of your story. Our daughter Laura has a new part lab dog she got from the shelter, so now the lake house again has a dog swmming there. Tell your folks hey. Tommy and Kelley

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hey Andrea - This is from LORENA cause using my husband's computer so it says Richard. You GO Girl! I am really really happy to hear that you were Sprung - and are now home. Even though there's still more healing to come, I am sure it's good to be home. I definitely believe in prayer Andrea, and you have had mine. So with all my support for your speedy recovery I send my continued prayers your way.

    Lorena T.

    PS - I look down at my desk and I see "pinky" - remember the USB stick you picked as my "gift" when you couldn't find the BUTT anymore?! Pinky always reminds me to send an extra prayer your way!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hey Andrea, glad to know you are back home and on the road to recovery ...every small step is a step forward. Hope you feel better and are back to your full strength soon.

    You are truly amazing and never ever stop to surprise us with your strength and positivity.

    Get Well Soon.

    Divyaksh

    ReplyDelete