Helicopters

Tricia's window is directly under the path that the medical helicopters take when landing on the roof at Duke. We hear and see every single one. Every time, I wonder if this is the one that is carrying Tricia's new lungs.

We've been told that the transplant team has received several offers for Tricia, but none of them have been the right match for her upon deeper examination.

Being at the hospital has its blessing in that we don't have to worry about "dry runs".

A dry run takes place when the hospital calls you to say that they have a potential match and would you please come in to be prepped...but the offer eventually doesn't pan out. Some patients make it all the way through surgery prep before being notified that the donation is not a good enough match.

We've been told (and can only imagine) how much of an emotional roller coaster this can be. We've talked with some transplant patients who have had multiple dry runs.

But, because we are already at the hospital, the transplant team has some extra time to determine for sure if an offer is the right match for Tricia, which means, hopefully, we will only be receiving one call.

Until then, we'll continue to listen for the helicopters.

Nate