At 3:30 a.m. on September 1, we received a phone call from Kelly Godsey, R.N. She said, "How would you like to get rid of that VAD?"

Kelly asked us to be at the hospital by 5:00 a.m. After waiting only two months after the VAD surgery - a record for the University of Virginia Medical Center so I've heard, a heart was available. We jumped up, although a bit in shock and nervous, and drove to the hospital.

I can't begin to tell you the thoughts that went through our minds as we drove to the hospital not knowing if the operation would be a success. You have to understand, when someone is functioning very well on a VAD, it's extremely difficult to make the decision to take away the very device that is keeping you alive and feeling well. I sincerely thought at one point Tommy would decide not to have the operation right now. We knew the decision would have to be made at some point, and we were assured this heart was a perfect match, so the decision was made and Tommy was prepped and wheeled into the OR at 6:00 a.m. I left him with a kiss and a tear in my eye, not knowing if I would ever see him again.

I arrived promptly at 5:00 and walked into Tommy's room. My husband of 3 weeks was laying there, slightly swollen, tubes everywhere, but alive. I had a lump in my throat and couldn't speak. He was heavily sedated and I was unable to talk to him, but that was ok for now.

I called the hospital at 11:00 p.m. to check on him. The nurse said he was resting comfortably and doing well. That's all I wanted to hear. I knew if Tommy made it through the night, we would be home free. At 7:00 a.m., I made another call. The nurse said he had a good night and said, "Do you want to talk to him?" I said, "You're kidding!!!!!" She said, "No, they took the breathing tube out this morning." Tommy got on the phone, and although his voice was a little different, the first words out of his mouth were, "When are you coming up ?" I was ecstatic!!! I couldn't believe what I was hearing - 12 hours after heart surgery, my husband was asking me to come up to the hospital!

When I saw him and was able to speak to him, it was truly a miracle. He was sitting up in the bed crunching on ice chips. (Drinking water at this point was a little too risky).) The first words out of my mouth were, "How do you feel??" Tommy said, "I feel GREAT!" I can't tell you the amazement I felt at this sight. So many things went through my mind at this point - God truly needs Tommy here on earth for now, and how fortunate we are to have the excellent heart surgeons and nurses at our local hospital. To all of the doctors, Dr. Mike Mathew, Dr. Rob Smith, Dr. Kern, and Dr. Green, and nurses in the TCV-Post Op Unit, Ginger Winkler, Marcee White, Holly Pardee, Carolyn Brady, and Mike Leiner, my heartfelt thanks for taking such good care of Tommy!

It's Labor Day, September 3, and Tommy was transferred to a step-down unit today. It comforts me to know the wonderful RN's in this unit will be in charge of my husband - Becky Wiebel, Sharon Osborne, Kathy Opelt, Barbara Maybush, Patrick Browne, Valerie Meston, Pat Hegan, and Sarah Stein. Again, they have all gone out of their way to see that Tommy is comfortable in every way. Their dedication to their profession is so admired!

Beth Fallin, RN-MSN, Cardiac Transplant Coordinator, will be working with Tommy and me over the next few days explaining the precautions we must take after Tommy's discharge. Also, we must learn all about his medications and limitations. There will be many, many hospital visits over the next couple of years, but I know that Tommy has been and will be in very capable hands! Again, by the Grace of God, and the excellent staff at the University of Virginia Medical Center, Tommy is well on his way to a full recovery.

Thanks to the wonderful staff at the University of Virginia Medical Center, I hope to bring Tommy home in about a week or so, and we can then begin the rest of our lives together.

A personal note:

To the family of the heart donor, my deepest condolences to you for the loss of your son. I know how you must grieve, as I, too, lost my daughter at the age of 29. I know the heartache you are enduring. I also know there are no words to erase your pain at this time. But please know that your son gave the most precious gift to a stranger - the Gift of Life, and we will be forever grateful.

Please give the gift of life....Please become an organ donor.

Update: Tommy was released from the hospital on September 8, seven days after his heart transplant! Another record! Today is September 10 and so far, so good. Tommy is a little weak and is resting most of the day, with short walks here and there. His appetite is getting better, swelling is going down, and for the most part, feeling pretty good. We take our first trip back to the hospital on September 13 for a heart biopsy and blood work - the first of many check-ups. During the next couple of years, the hospital will keep a very close eye on him. But for now, the worst is finally over and Tommy has a new lease on life!

In September of 2002, Tommy spent the most part of two days at the hospital going through all kinds of routine 1-year tests. I am happy to say he passed with flying colors!! As you can see, Tommy is back to normal and things are going great :-) There's that ever-present smile again!

October 2005 - heart rejection. Tommy spent 2 weeks in the hospital with heart rejection. Symptoms were shortness of breath and chest pain. After receiving high doses of several different medications, he was released from the hospital with damage to the left side of his heart. Time will tell if the heart will heal itself, which is all we can hope for. Modern medicine can stop rejection, but it cannot heal the heart.

January 06 - Routine biopsy showed white blood cell count up, which means slight heart rejection. The doctors said they are not too worried about this right now, but are treating Tommy with prednisone. He feels fine, and to look at him, you would not know there is anything wrong. Until they have a clean biopsy, he will stay on prednisone.

October 2007 - Six years and no problems!

September 2008 - Certain medicines that Tommy has to take has affected the kidney function.
There's not a whole lot that can be done at this point, since he has to stay on the meds.
They adjusted other medications and we'll keep our fingers crossed that this
won't turn into a major problem. Heart is doing fine.

For more information, please visit the University of Virginia's site:
"The Heart Center"

If you would like more information on organ donation, please visit the following sites:
Organ Donation (Department of Health and Human Services)
The Coalition on Organ Donation
The United Network for Organ Sharing
Trans Web (audio/video)

To email me, go to Barbara's Basement

Kiss your children every day - today is gone, and tomorrow may never come.