Friday, April 3, 2009

Pretransplant Post 2

So, its official...the transplant is April 7th. It is finally becoming real. After 10 family members and friends were determined ineligible, the doctors went back to Stephen, My amazing, selfless brother is giving me the gift the keeps on living. He is my second chance at life and I am so appreciative for him and everyone that has gotten tested for me. I don't know what I would do without my family and friends.
Here is some information about the surgery and things happening before and after it. There are a lot of things that are opposite before, during, and after surgery for Stephen and me. Hopefully these things are helpful...
1. I will be admitted on Monday, April 6th for testing and prep before surgery
2. Stephen has to go in for testing on Monday, but won't be admitted until Tuesday morning.
3. Stephen's surgery will start at about 7am on Tuesday morning.
4. A few hours after his surgery, around 9 or 10, they will take me in to start my surgery.
5. Stephen's surgery should last about 6 hours
6. My surgery should last about 10 hours
7. The doctor and members of the transplant team will come out to update anyone who is in the waiting room during the surgery.
8. After surgery, I will be kept unconscious with a breathing tube until at least Thursday, possibly longer.
9. Stephen will be woken up soon after surgery.
10. I will be in the ICU for 2-4 days.
11. Stephen will be in the ICU for 2 days.
12. I will be in pediatrics, Stephen will be in adult.
13. I am not allowed to have visitors until 10 days after surgery. My parents and Jen can see me if they wear gowns, masks, and gloves when they come in.
14. Soon after surgery, they will want both Stephen and me to get up and walk around. We will be going through some physical therapy in the hospital that helps us do simple tasks to make living at home easier.
15. Stephen will be in the hospital for 5-7 days total.
16. I will be in the hospital for probably 14 days.
17. Stephen will be living home for a month, and then gets to go back to living in NY!
18. My recovery will be about 3 months and I shouldn't be in big groups of people for a very long time.
19. Both Stephen and I will have to go back to the hospital a couple times a week at the beginning to check how we are doing after we are discharged from the hospital.

We got a lot of information tonight at the meeting we had with the transplant team. They were very reassuring and helpful that they would do everything in their power to keep us safe and make sure things go as well as possible. Please keep myself, Stephen, Jen and my parents in your prayers during this undertaking.

I love you all so much and thank you for all your support.

Make sure to comment back on this page so others can read it and I can too! When I am feeling better, I can respond. In the meantime, my mom and Jen might be posting things to keep everyone updated. This is definitely a much easier way to inform everyone of what is going on so my mom doesn't lose her voice explaining the story a bunch of times (though maybe we should have her do that...hahaha!) JUST KIDDING!

Check in daily for updates! <3

7 comments:

  1. I think about you all the time, but I will be especially worried until I hear you are ok! I know you and your doctors will do an amazing job. I am so happy for you; you are so special and so deserving of this! Please send Stephen my best wishes and I will be praying for you both! I hope you make a healthy and speedy recovery so you can go back to your old goofy ways! I miss you and can't wait to see you again <3.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for your prayers. It's always good to have positive thoughts and G.O.D. on our side.

    That's what I want for Alison too. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chicky,
    I'm going to be praying for you constantly. I'm so proud of you for being so brave and strong. You have a wonderful support system and I know you are going to get through this with flying colors. I love you always!!
    Laur

    Stephen,
    You are the best brother anyone could ask for. It is so brave of you to step up like this and I will be praying for you as well. I wish you the best of luck with everything!
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  4. Alison:

    Please know that you have always been in my prayers and will continue to be there each and every day. This is the first step to feeling better and getting healthy.

    There is a reason out of all of the family and friends that were tested that Stephen is the one that matches you Alison. And yes, he is a wonderful brother to WANT to do this for you.

    GOD will keep you and your brother safe, not to mention all of the Angles up there watching over the both of you too.

    Praying for you, Stephen and the rest of your family...

    The Pipas' love you and your family.

    Evie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Joe, Karen, Stephen and Alison:

    Thinking and praying for all of you. My God and his angels up above (we all know who they are) put their arms around you and keep you comforted and safe while the doctors perform their gifts God gave them. Love you all so very much.

    ReplyDelete
  6. P.S. Of course Jen too. Sorry sweetie!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cubbsie,
    You are amazing. I cannot wait to see your beautiful smiling face in a mere 12 days. Stay strong, keep your faith, and never ever lose hope.
    I love you.
    Em

    And Stephen,
    Thank you. I'm too emotional to say anything else. But thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete