Thursday, May 16, 2013

Fast Track

The first few days after Tricia's first transplant were rough for her (if you go back and read my several posts from just after her first surgery in April 2008, you can compare with what's going on now), so we expected the same this time around, especially since the transplant team warned us several times how difficult the second time around can be.  BUT, Tricia has amazed everyone these first 36 hours.  She was awake and off the vent within hours, and walking by the end of the day.  She felt and looked incredibly good from the start and continues to improve, and this afternoon she was moved to the stepdown unit and placed on what they call a "fast track".  She is not out of the woods yet, but the past few days have been very promising and we're praying she'll avoid any setbacks and be released from the hospital within the next 2-3 weeks.

The medical team has amazed us once again.  Tricia's first surgery five years ago was about nine hours long, and was, according the Dr. Lin, one of the more difficult lung extractions he'd ever performed.  This surgery was no less than 11 hours, and Dr. Lin again told us that it was an incredibly difficult extraction.  Tricia gave him a big hug today and told him he was her miracle worker.  She also told him how thousands of people were praying for him during the surgery, for which he said he was very thankful.  So, thank you.

Nate

50 comments:

Marcie in Canada said...

We are so grateful to God that He has again provided a miracle for your beautiful wife! The night before her transplant I had a dream about you guys. In my dream I met you both. I had no idea that she had been told that she would be getting her second transplant. We will continue to pray, though we have never met and probably never will. God is good.

Kellee Flatt said...

That's awesome! Thank you so much for being such a light to those around you. It's incredible to hear how the Lord uses your story in the most amazing ways. We will continue to pray for you guys! Thanks for sharing so much with the world.

LizW said...

Thanks for the update. So glad the news continues to be good. Prayers continue.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the update, Nate. I thank God for the good news and I will keep praying for your family.

Caravan Sonnet said...

Thank you so much for the update! So thrilled to hear how the Lord is answering these prayers! Prayers continuing with y'all in the next days and weeks!
:) Rebecca

jenny said...

SO thankful Tricia is doing well. We do serve an awesome God, don't we? L)

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that things are going GREAT for Tricia! And I'm so happy that you are keeping us updated.

turtlemama said...

So wonderful! Praying that healing continues to be swift and without complications.

Unknown said...

Fantastic news!!! Our God is SO AWESOME!!!!!

KinderWurm said...

Our God is an awesome God! Will continue to pray and praise. Thanks for the updates, pictures, and letting His light shine through you.

Anonymous said...

What makes a lung transplant more or less difficult than another? I.e. what was it about her lungs that made it hard to extract them?

Also, I suppose this is a stupid question, but if a surgery takes 11 hours... does the surgeon get to take breaks to eat?? Or pee?? (Hopefully not doing either whilst in the operating room :)

Amy said...

SOOOOO WONDERFUL!!!!!! God is so good!!!! Tricia is so strong!!! continued prayers for you all!!!

allyk said...

This is wonderful news! I am so happy for you all! I would like to THANK YOU Nate, for keeping us all up to date and posted with what's been going on. I can't imagine doing so. I am so grateful for your family and will continue to pray for you all.
Alyssa

Anonymous said...

I'm so joyful tonight hearing this update! Continued prayers from Southern Maryland.

Cristi said...

Amazing news. God is GOOD.

Anonymous said...

Is Tricia able to talk and eat now with that trach still in?

Was the donor's body flown in for the surgery to remove the lungs or did they just fly in the lungs by themselves?

Would love if you could answer these questions for us. My 14 yr old daughter has CF and is currently listed for a transplant and really would love the answers! Thanks Nate!

Sue and Meghan

Judy K said...

Rejoicing in our God! We will continue in prayer! We are grateful for the update today! Our love to your family!

Under the Mercy!

Nana Judy

Vivian said...

when you have a relationship with God, His people rise up to pray for His children. I am so thankful God honored you with these amazing miracles!
still praying for God to keep His healing hand on your wife and am so proud of the example of your faithfulness as a christian husband!

Wendy Glosser said...

Thank you, God. Such a great report.

Sarah said...

Thank you for sharing your story with us Nathan. We are humbled and feel so blessed by how you share your lives, and to be asked to join with you all in prayer. Rejoicing with you all! and thanking God for all that he has done and is doing! Our prayers will continue!

Chrissy said...

Amazing!

Anonymous said...

So humbled by your experiences and faith. True miracles happen! Praise God!

you only live once said...

So amazing!! Thanks for taking the time to update!

Marie said...

God is awesome. Its just amazing that your lovely wife is doing so well, Oh we knew that God could take care of her but she has to have the most will, faith and desire to live out her life with her wonderful kind husband and beautiful daughter by her side, God is not through with you two yet, your testomony will keep reaching out to others and useing the mircles that God is performing to reach the ones that do not know the Lord and show them just what he can do for his children, Bless you all, your sister in Christ, Marie

Anonymous said...

Oh Nate I am so very glad to hear of Tricia's transplant and so far, successful recovery! I've not been on for a few days as my husband was having his kidney transplant. I've kept Tricia and your family in my prayers all this time. Thanks be to God and the wonderful power of prayer!

I pray too for Tricia's donor. I find myself overwhelmed at the generosity of donors and their families and am extremely grateful that they chose to donate.

I will continue to pray for Tricia's recovery and for strength and peace for all of you as you travel this journey again.

Kim in Canada

Anonymous said...

Wonderful,beautiful news! May God bless you all and I am praying your little girl gets her mommy home soon! Love from Seattle

Anonymous said...

How fabulous ... each and every day my friend and I log on to see how you guys are doing ... we have been following you since day one ... so exciting when late the other night ... I texted ... SHE'S in Surgery ... truly thousands are praying and holding your family up to the light !!!

Lisa said...

How wonderful that Tricia is doing so well I'm astonished! It truly is an honor to be part of your prayer team! Love Lisa and Ty in sunny San diego

Anonymous said...

I am praying for Tricia and her family through these tough times... Please keep sharing her story....she is an inspiration for all.
from Maryland.

Melany aka Supermom said...

This is SUCH awesome news~!! I'm so glad everything is going well. Awesome. God is good.

bobbie said...

Way to go, Tricia!!!

Brenda said...

God is so awsome i dont really know her but God does and when he calls us to pray for others i do. i know your father in law.He was a youth pastor at a church i went to many years ago.And when you were church family you church family for ever. She has been on my heart daily I am praising God she got her Lungs and is doing good so far. And been praying for you as well. God has really tough you family thought the years. Thanks for the updates my prayers are with our daily. God Bless . Brenda

Anonymous said...

Dear Trisha and Nate and Gwinnie! So great to hear the great news!!! Mom Ms Dolley has been very anxious for the updates and has your its a go pix on her fridge! We thank Gd for Dr Lin and the whole team and have been praying for all of you including the family of the person who has donated to give the gift of life.Many Blessings to you today and keep up the great work!!!!love you susann and Mrs Dolleyxoxoxo

Anonymous said...

The miracles continue! Prayers are being answered! GO TRICIA!!!!

Thanks for updating...wonderful news!

Anonymous said...

Great news!!!! Go Tricia!!!!!

Georgia said...

What an awesome GOD we serve!!! Still praying in Mississippi

Anonymous said...

Wonderful news! I will continue to pray!

Anonymous said...

Such wonderful news! God is so good!!! Continued prayers for all of you and for the donor family.

Anonymous said...

Praying for Tricia's donor family. I am so happy for Tricia but also can't help but be so sad for that poor family. Praying..

Kathryn said...

Lovely, lovely news. Our prayers continue. Thank you for opening your Twitter to all to read. I don't have an account, so it is doubly nice to read your updates.

Allisyn said...

I have read your blog over the years...the ups the downs... so thankful that Tricia is doing good.. and thankful for the donor's family .. praying for both families. It is a bitter sweet feeling when one life is taken and by the grace of that family another life is saved... that is how I felt when my brother passed away and yet knowing that his organs would save another family from heart break..

Anonymous said...

I've been following you here and especially on Twitter and I'm very glad things have been going so well! :D I'll continue to think/send good thoughts in the hopes that things will CONTINUE going well!

Cheers,
Shari K.W. in Redwood City, Calif.

Madre said...

We praise God for His Hand of protection! May He continue to protect and strengthen each member of your family, Nate!

Anonymous said...

I have recently discovered your blog and have been awed by your strength and determination. As someone who will most likely need a lung transplant due to cf within the next 5 years I am learning so much through your generous sharing of your family's experiences. I am sending healing and strengthening prayers to Tricia!!

Don said...

Sue & Meghan
Not sure if Nate will have time to respond,so as Tricia's dad I thought I may help. The team is given notification of lungs, they then send a team to the location of lungs. They examine the lungs to insure they are acceptable and will meet their requirements for their recipient.This could cause a dry run. ( Term given when recipient is notified to come to hospital, if not in hospital, but lungs are determined unacceptable.) Will be praying for you and your daughter as you proceed down your journey.No eating or talking with trachea. Practice lip reading! They use a feeding tube during this time.

Leslie said...

Praying for continued healing for Tricia. God is so good!

Kirstin said...

That's amazing! All Glory to God for the things He has done in Tricia! Will continue praying for a great recovery.

Anonymous said...

AWESOME NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise God!!!

kulkat2 said...

Tears of joy!
Thank you Father!! Wow. We serve a mighty God.
Praying for continued blessing and protection

Anonymous said...

I have been thinking of you and your family and cried when I saw the news that Tricia had a second transplant and is doing so well. I am so happy for her and your family!