Thursday, April 3, 2008

Out of surgery and in ICU

After a long surgery Tricia is now in the ICU. Soon we'll be able to go in and see her.

Because of the extent of Tricia's illness the transplant wasn't the easiest we were told by the surgeon. She'll stay on the vent, likely for a couple of days since her body hasn't breathed on its own for nearly 3 months. So there's lots of healing and rehab ahead.

While we're certain the medical/surgical team here at Duke is top notch, the ball was dropped big time when it came to communicating with us during and after the surgery. It's been quite an emotional morning, especially for Nathan, but the primary goal was accomplished and for that we're grateful. But we do have some issues to discuss with hospital officials today. In Jesus' name, of course.

We're in the waiting room waiting again...More updates later when we have something new to share. Sometime today we'll try to find some time to sleep!

9 comments:

Cathy N said...

I will keep you all in prayer as you speak with the hospital officials. So so happy to hear the good news. Praise God!!!

Andy Lawrenson said...

Don't let too much Kline come out of you as you meet with the officials. :)

Destini said...

Continuing the praying for your family, also that you maintain your witness when speaking with the officials! Rejoicing in the success of the surery and praying that Tricia's body accepts the new lungs!

Marsmile said...

Thank you for keeping us updated with details. I am so relieved and glad that the surgery is over and successful. I'll be continuing to pray for Tricia's recovery, which I hope will go quickly without much pain, and that she gets to do rehab as soon as possible. But of course, as you said, now is a good time to let her (and all of you) rest for the next few days to regain strength.

Sorry about the communication difficulties and hope this will be improved next time, especially for future patients and their families. Hope Nathan is okay and I'm sure you and your wife will make sure Nathan gets the rest he needs so he can stay strong and healthy in order to help Tricia in the upcoming days.

Thanks again for sharing and all the best,
Marissa

Unknown said...

Thanks for the update... I've been bouncing back and forth between your blog and Nate's for details... it always seems more 'productive' when we know specifically what to pray for, even though God knows already.

Try to get some rest so that you can be at your best when you meet with the hospital administrators! Still praying for ALL of you, and for the donor's family, who is now in their darkest hour.

Caroline Cordle said...

Thanks for the update you have given whilst Nate is understandably unable to. I will pray for you as you sort out the issues from today.....that you will be given wisdom and grace in what you say.

Praising God that Tricia is OK, and that she will have an amazing recovery.

Love and prayers.
xxx

Blessings From Above said...

So sorry to hear that with everything else going on, you had some undo stress added due to some communication issues. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers constantly today.

Blessings from Ohio

ckuretich said...

I can't believe they didn't do a better job of communicating during the surgery. I know how frustrating that must be, ESPECIALLY with this high caliber of surgery. My husband just underwent a 12 hour cancer surgery, and they updated every 2 hours. even THAT felt like an eternity when you're uncertain. So I absolutely feel your pain there - I think it's very important to talk to the hospital. I do, even though I adore out doctors - but I always give my thoughts on what they could do BETTER.

Reading your updates today from last night was so familiar - I understand so much of what you're going through. You all are getting through it the best way you can - surrounding yourself with each other, praying through it all, and trying to keep caffeinated and entertained! I have been thinking of all of you nonstop since I heard yesterday about the TX. God is incredible, and of course - He chose to do this on Nathan's birthday. There is no irony there - that is complete sovereignty. So we have to trust that God has everything in His hands going forward, too.

My thoughts are constantly with your entire family - much love to all of you, and thank you for keeping the world updated.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to hear that you were disappointed in the amount of communication from the staff during Tricia's surgery, but please try and focus your energies on Tricia now. I, personally, would rather have had the staff be in the surgery concentrating and focusing on such a difficult surgery rather than running out every 10 minutes to give me an update. I am sure Duke did a fine job with Tricia. They are world renowned for transplant surgeries and she was in the best of hands. Don't forget that she was the one that purposely put off her transplant and risked her life and her baby's to get pregnant against doctors orders, rather than heed their advice and take the necessary precautions (birth control), to prevent a pregnancy. It's not their fault that because of her lack of following doctors orders that it became a very complicated surgery due to her advanced disease. Be thankful that a donor family provided such a life saving gift for Tricia despite her non compliance with doc orders, and lets now move on and focus on her getting healed from this point on. It would be counterproductive at this point to start a fight with the staff that just saved her life. GOd bless all his flock.