Category: Marriage

After the past two Saturdays watching the Bulldogs, we now know the true strength of John’s new heart! It’s gotten a workout, but still beating strong! I told him today that I really don’t know how his old heart got him through all those games!

John enjoyed watching the game with his friend, Rowland, who came up for the weekend as I traveled to Georgia to be with my family. My mom passed away last week after a very short battle with cancer. She was admitted into the hospital the same day that John got his staph infection back in August. I was in the trenches with John during that time, so I was not able to be with her. However, my dad took good care of her, and I was very, very blessed to see her two weekends ago for the last time. My body still feels in shock from all of the intense emotions I have experienced over the past two months – staring death in the face for so long with both John and my mom, pure elation from John’s transplant and recovery, and now mourning and missing my mom. Needless to say, I am exhausted. I thought I was exhausted before, but now I’m really exhausted. I miss my mom so much, but she is a Christian and is in Heaven, so I get to spend eternity with her in what will seem like no time. Her memorial service is in a week and a half, and John is going to make the trip back with me for it. This is such a huge gift. I don’t know what I would do without him right now and without him there.

On another note, today we had another doctor’s appointment and heart biopsy. We haven’t heard the results yet, but are prayerfully anticipating zero rejection again. John keeps getting stronger and becomes more independent every day. I will update with his biopsy results later in the week when we get them back.

John’s greatest joy this past week was the surprise and very much appreciated letter and signed picture from Coach Mark Richt himself! He got word of John’s transplant, and wanted to send his well wishes. This meant so much to John and me! I will definitely be framing it soon for John, and hanging in his GA room! Thank you Coach Richt! Go Dawgs!!!

My mom went home today to eternity. It is exactly one month from her 56th birthday. She is in Heaven with her Maker, her Father, her Comforter, her Rescuer, her Savior.

I cannot imagine what that is like.

There are countless numbers of songs, especially Christian songs, that try to capture what that moment is like, and of course none of them can.

But the thought nearly takes my breath away, and I am so grateful that my mom is there. I can’t wait to meet her again.

My greatest blessing is that she was completely at peace in her final days and asking God to bring her home. When I saw my mom last weekend she said to me, “I just don’t understand God’s ways. I just don’t know why he won’t take me home now.” This is where I want to be. The thought of knowing that each second is possibly your last on earth, and not being sure of what will happen next, is absolutely horrifying to me.

It is also so comforting to know that when God calls His children home we know that their purpose here on earth has been fulfilled. My mom’s job is complete. He was ready for her to be with Him.

I miss my mom so much. She was my advocate, my cheerleader, and she was so proud of me. But I know that she is not mine. She is God’s.

I eagerly await eternity. All of my pain will be gone. I will get to spend every day in perfect peace with Jesus. And I will see my mom again – forever. What more can I ever ask for? What more could I ever receive? I have eternal life which makes good-byes only for a minute – only until my purpose here on earth is complete and God is ready to bring me home.

I love you, Mom, and I will see you soon.

Today John had an appointment with his heart surgeon who did the transplant, and the doctor was amazed at how good he looks!

He took out John’s staples in his chest and where his ICD was removed, and the incision is healing wonderfully. John’s bloodwork showed that his kidneys are now functioning in the “normal” range. John did have an ultrasound where he was connected to ECMO because that area is a little inflamed. There is some fluid back up, but it isn’t anything to be concerned about. They will most likely drain it sometime soon.

John was instructed to start exercising! He is breathing great (so much better than before!), but his lungs show a little bit of fluid around them. His doctor isn’t worried about it because he isn’t having any problems, but he said that if John begins to exercise and put some stress on his heart and lungs, the fluid will most likely go away. If he was planning on becoming a competitive athlete or something, they would drain it, but for now his doctor feels like it’s fine.

Here are some of our accomplishments over the past week:
~ John now walks up the stairs using both legs alternately instead of just shuffling up only using his right leg.
~ He does not use any support (such as a chair or walker) to stand up.
~ He climbed into “Big Red” – his UGA red truck – and cranked it for the first time in about two months!
~ He walked all around WalMart without any problems! This is my true proof that his heart is so much stronger because he was not able to go anywhere and walk around even several months before he went into the hospital.
~ He took out the trash!!! This sounds like it’s not a big deal, but lifting the bag is huge!

As my friend, Christina, said . . .

The miracle continues . . .

John’s heart biopsy last Wednesday showed zero rejection – Again!!

We are praising God for hearing and answering this prayer. John continues to get stronger every day. He is able to climb the stairs a lot easier now, and he is getting in and out of the car easier.

This coming Wednesday we have an appointment with John’s surgeon. It will be our first appointment with him since we left the hospital. And since John has consistently had zero rejection, he will not have another biopsy for two weeks.

John is beginning to truly appreciate and enjoy his new heart!

John’s first night and day at home has been awesome!!!

Last night we got home around 6:30. We did have tacos, heart-healthy of course :-), and John finally got a shower and a good night of sleep!!!

He is getting around the house well with the stairs being the biggest challenge. He practiced walking up and down the stairs in the hospital, but ours are pretty steep and high, so they are a little harder. When John gains back some muscle mass (He’s about down to his high school weight now!), it will be a lot easier. I think I mentioned that he was going to have physical therapy at home, but since he was doing better than expected in the hospital he isn’t going to have any at home now. We have some exercises that we will do to get those muscles big again!

Today John rested and walked around the house some. I spent most of the day getting his prescriptions filled and organized. He is on fourteen medications! Some of these will taper off, but some he will be on for life!

We also found out today that the biopsy John had on Monday showed zero rejection – again!!! This has been a prayer of ours for a long time, even before he went into the hospital! It is awesome that John’s body is accepting his new heart so well!

John’s big job now is recovery, and he is working so hard at it and doing so well! He’ll be doing everything very soon!!

The picture above is right before we left the hospital yesterday! Yes, I am wearing a Duke t-shirt! When they give your husband a heart, you can’t help but be a fan – of the hospital that is!