Back in June of 2018, we started this Caringbridge site to keep everyone in the loop. At that time mom, aunt Joanne and myself were down in AZ getting all of her testing done to be placed on their transplant list. That decision came about due to the much shorter waiting list and the hopes that mom would get her liver and kidney much quicker than what we could get in Rochester. Everyone in the world wants to come to the Rochester campus, so the list is much, much longer. Mom went through all the testing and was indeed approved. We found housing, had flights booked and caregivers lined up to spend time with her. Then July 14th of 2018 started the downward progression and the start of her organ failure. From that Saturday on, Mom was in Methodist, more than than she wasn't. We then went from planning/finalizing the trip to AZ to praying that a donor would be found here in Rochester.  In those short few weeks, mom's health plummeted.  On June 18th she was walking in AZ and by July 21st she couldn't remember what her birthday was.  It was just plain scary to watch the decline and to see her health deteriorate as her liver and kidneys started to shut down. Travel was now out of the question, plans had to change and constant in room care was her new normal while in Methodist. 

July 25, 2018, about 9:00am, was the start of a good day. I'll never forget receiving that call from Aunt Mary as I was walking into Methodist that morning.  It was such an immense and overwhelming sense of happiness that was felt for mom. I walked into her room and she had just hung up the phone with Dr. Watt confirming the good news. We knew that a whole lot of magic still needed to happen, but we started calling all of the family to let them know to good news.  All of us boys and our families were there that day and we were all there when they took her downstairs into surgery that night.  Bless all of her wonderful surgeons, nurses and doctors, as around 5:00 am on July 26th mom's procedures were a success. 

She never looked back, her recovery was just as startling as her decline was before.  That same day she was sitting up in her bed, soon after, she was walking and she was sent home a week later.  Amazing, just simply amazing.   Mom just did her one year follow up test last week and this week.  All is good, the doctors and their team are happy with all levels and tests.  This coming Sunday mom was invited to the Annual Gift of Life picnic.  I remember seeing that in the news last year, just before her transplant happened.  How cool is it that we get to go there this year with a happy and healthy mom. 

And finally, Thank you again to the donor family. As we are celebrating and remembering tomorrow, they will be grieving the loss of their loved one.  If that family ever gets a chance to read this, know that we love you. You saved mom's life that day.  We will honor and remember you tomorrow as we celebrate your truly selfless act of being an organ donor.  Blessings to your family as they still try to find peace in their lives.