Day 5 - Out of the ICU!

UPDATE FROM MARG - Happy to report that Andrea has officially moved out of the surgical ICU and onto the regular cardiac step-down unit. She continues to feel good today and even ate a full dinner tonight - her first real meal since Tuesday night, and a critical milestone because it was her first meal without sodium restrictions since October! Next stop: that slice of pepperoni pizza she'd been dreaming about.

Andrea's iron levels have been low, so they gave her another unit of blood tonight. The doctors don't seem to be too concerned, and are keeping a close eye on her. Her nurse for the evening is named Dreamy, so she's hopeful that this means she'll finally get some sleep...

Many of you have been asking what you can do for Andrea & her folks. Right now, e-cards, comments on this blog, and prayers are the best offerings you can make. When she is released from the hospital, I am sure Andrea will appreciate any care packages you'd like to send her way, but in the meantime, please just keep cheering her on! Thanks for your continued well-wishes for our dear girl & her family.

Day 4 - First Visit from Non-Family Members!

UPDATE FROM MARG - All the exercise must have done her good - Andrea has turned a corner and is doing AMAZINGLY well today! I just got back from visiting her in the hospital, and she looks so good that if it weren't for the significant incision on her chest, you would be convinced that she was in getting her appendix out. Her blood pressure is back at normal levels and she has more color in her face than she's had since October (when she first got sick). She was moving around pretty comfortably in bed, and even walked out to the hospital atrium earlier today to get a change in scenery from the ICU.

Her nausea has largely faded (finally!) and so she woke-up this morning feeling like a new person, texting friends at how grateful she is to be alive. The plan is for them to move her out of the surgical ICU and onto the cardiac floor tomorrow, and then to hopefully discharge her within a week if all continues to go well. Andrea's parents are encouraged by her continued progress and how much better she was feeling today. Please keep sending positive thoughts & prayers her way - we're all hoping for a continued smooth recovery.

A get-well card drawn by a friend's 4-year-old daughter, Cailyn. Commentary was, "A picture of Andrea with a new heart and a pretty necklace. Her ears don't look that big in person."

A New Life

My bag is packed for the hospital. Slippers – check. Reading material – check. iPod charger – check. Loose fitting pajamas – check. I’m keeping my coworkers in the loop on what I’m doing at work in the event that I’m not there on Monday. My family and friends are on high alert for when the moment arrives. People are lined up to visit after I get home from the hospital. E-mail lists have been created. I’m moody. I’m watching what I eat, especially lots of protein and no caffeine. I’m exhausted.

If you didn’t know better, wouldn’t you think I was pregnant? Waiting for a heart is actually not that dissimilar from being in one’s final trimester of pregnancy. [In fact, I wonder how horrified my coworkers would be if I suggested we hold an office pool for when my “big day” will be. Just in case, put me down for June 16.] But more to the point, in both situations, a person is waiting for a new life to be born. In the case of a pregnant woman, of course the new life is an entirely separate person (and is a whole lot cuter than a human heart). But I too am awaiting new life. And in both cases, we will treat our new life with great care.

In the way a new mother nurtures her newborn, I will care for my new heart. I will treat it with the utmost respect. I will listen to it and raise my hand if I sense something is wrong. I will feed it the right stuff (fortunately not by breastfeeding!). I will make sure it gets enough rest and plenty of playtime. I will show it off with pride. In all of these ways I will thank and honor my donor, whoever he or she may be. For all of the levity with which I try to treat my situation, I recognize the sadness and loss that will be experienced by my donor’s family and friends, since only once his or her life is taken can my new life be born.