24 hours – That is how long John has had his new heart.
I want to share all that Friday and into Saturday entailed as we found out that John was having the transplant and throughout his surgery, but I just haven’t had time yet. Right now I am trying to catch up on some sleep when I get back to the hotel at night.
To give everyone an update on John today, he is stable. No moves forward, but no moves back. He is off of his sedation medication, but has not woken up yet. He moves his body and eyes, but hasn’t had any other responses. John has been on a lot of sedation medication for almost a week now, so he may be slow coming out of it. They are watching this closely to make sure he has not had a stroke or some other neurological damage. Right now it is too soon to tell, but this is a huge prayer request.
John also is not getting rid of fluid like they would like, and this may be part of the reason he has not come out of sedation yet. His body hasn’t been able to get rid of the sedation medication quickly. They are watching his kidney fuction closely and making sure that he does not have any kidney failure. This is sometimes common when the body has gone through a major trauma like a heart transplant, but something that we do need to take to God in prayer as well.
John is off of one of the most aggressive heart medications he was given to help his new heart beat vigorously, which is good. He is still taking a few other heart medications and a blood pressure medication.
We have been blessed beyond measure this weekend with a visit from many of John and my friends from Georgia, John’s sister and brother-in-law, and of course John’s parents. It has been such a wonderful support for me to have so many people who love us here, and I can’t wait to tell John. He is going to be so grateful that I have been taken care of so well and that he is so loved!
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