Thursday, April 3, 2008

A surreal day

Just about 24 hours ago Gail and I were driving into Durham. It's a 3.5 hour drive from our home and we had been up all day, knowing we had a long way to go before we'd finally get to sleep. But it was worth it. Our daughter in law Tricia, the love of our son's life and the mother of our first grandchild was beginning what would be a 9 hour surgerical ordeal that would hopefully save her life and add on precious years that cystic fibrosis had threaten to take away.

What a day these last 24 hours have been! Lots of emotion. Lots of prayers and hope. Miracles.

When you get real tired your body kicks into overdrive and adrenaline and the help of caffeine keep you going. But eventually your brain starts to fry from lack of rest. (Not that mine gets overworked too often, mind you.) You're kinda numb.

But to see Tricia sitting in a chair this evening that she walked to from her bed, conscious, smiling, and able to communicate after what her body has been through was mind blowing. She's breathing without a ventilator for the first time since January 8. She's experiencing new sensations as well as a lot of pain. Think about what has to happen in a double lung transplant. The impact on the body is compared to being in a major car crash. We just spent a few minutes with her because you could see in her eyes that she was exhausted. She just said, "I'm tired".

There are lots of things the medical staff will be watching for, not the least of which is infection and rejection of her new lungs. Just because she has new lungs doesn't mean she's healed or cured of CF. It's still there. But she's a fighter.

I'm looking forward to everyone getting a good night's rest and tomorrow being a new day.

52 comments:

Jenn said...

Praise God!! Thank you for the updates! We will continue praying for your entire family!

Sallie said...

PRAISE THE LORD!
That's all I can say.

BloggyMom said...

How amazing!! Still praying and thinking of Tricia lots today.

jamie said...

WOW. I'm at a loss for words. Amazing,yes?? Get some good rest. Will continue to pray for you all. God Bless. WONDERFUL!!!!!!

Jamie in Texas

Blessings From Above said...

Awesome news...Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!

Becky said...

Thank you so much for the updates. We are praying for you all.

Nana2Six said...

How great is our God! Thank you for giving us an update. We pray a restful night for all of your family!!

Jenn said...

Thank you for updating everyone! I'm so happy for your family. We will continue to pray for Tricia, Nate, and all of you!
~Jenn

Anonymous said...

Thank you for keeping all of us updated. We have been praying like crazy for Nathan and Tricia and it's great to hear that she's doing well. Have a good night of sleep! :-)

Kate said...

That is so absolutely incredible that I can't think of any words to describe the awe that I feel. God is truly working a miracle through Tricia and to be able to "witness" it through Nate and your blogs is incredible.

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing the good news of Tricia's amazing progress.

God is good.

Nora said...

Thanks so much for the update... what an answer to pray... Praise GOD!

Roxanne said...

Hallelujah

Kristina said...

Praise God!

Christy said...

I felt like I needed to get online today and get an update on Tricia! I haven't been online in a few days, but I haven't stopped praying! I was so excited to read on Nate's blog that Tricia got her lungs! Praise God for that. My husband Jason and I will continue to pray for no rejection, no infection and fast recovery for Tricia. This news is so exciting!!!!!! (it does feel like you've been in a bad car crash.. or worse, but it won't last, and she will soon be outrunning all of you, *yah*)

Princess Talana said...

Amazing update... I'm never less amazed at how fast new lungs can change the life of a CF person! I can only pray that I will have Tricia's strength and support when my time comes!

Bobbi said...

I'm really speachless...but continuing to pray!!!

Paige Hinrichs said...

Amazing. Praying for you all, all day, every day.

marcia said...

Miracles...indeed! I am in awe as a stranger some 800 miles away...can't even begin to imagine what this must be like for all of you!! What a privilege it is to be able to look through the large window that you are giving all of us, to watch this work of God unfolding in your private lives..and to be able to support you in prayer throughout the process. May God grant all of you (and especially Tricia!) some deep, peaceful, restorative sleep tonight. Those in Australia, as one person commented last night, and those of us who have developed a habit of waking and praying for you in the wee hours, will continue to bring all of your needs to the Father throughout the night! Thank you for so openly sharing your miracles with all of us!

amy smith said...

crying, praying, and thankful. so thankful.

Jane said...

thanks for the update!

still praying for Tricia's body to heal. Praising Jesus for His provisions.

SOOOO awesome that Tricia is setting up already!!!

Thank you to the donor family.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for keeping us updated during this very stressful time for your family. I'm sure it has been a long day, but a rewarding day. It sounds like Tricia is doing well. I will continue to pray for Tricia, Nate, and Gwenyth. May the Lord bless them and keep them as Tricia recuperates and Gwenyth grows.

Praying in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mrs. Dan said...

Thsnk you for taking the time and energy to update. We'll continue to pray tonight!

Erik said...

Sure appreciate the good update. Will keep on praying....

Terry Gray Sr. said...

Great news Rick, Still praying here. Prayers for health and continued improvement.

Barbara Metcalf Bella Vista, Arkansas said...

You all have a lot to be thankful for. I know you'll be bragging on what an awesome God you serve. I'm praising him for bringing Tricia this far, and praying that he wlll continue to bless.

Unknown said...

thank you thank you for the uopdate!

God bless all of you

Marci said...

What an awesome God we serve. Thank you, thank you for the update. I have been praying for all of you. I cried when I read this update. God is so good.

Unknown said...

Wow, just wow, this post brought tears to my eyes just reading it. Thank you Rick for the updates. Give Tricia and Nathan a huge hug from all of us here in Georgia. I was praying hard at Jerry's graduation tonight for a good news update when we got home, and this is some of the best news I could have hoped for.

Em said...

This is so wonderful to hear!!! Will keep the prayers going.

((((((( HUGS TO ALL OF YOUR FAMILY ))))))))

Q's NEWS said...

I am so grateful for your updates! And I love that the news keeps getting better and better.

We will keep praying for all of you! The best is yet to come - praise God!

Love from WV,
Susan

TheRagan3 said...

thank you so much for the updates - I know that Nate (and y'all) must be so exhausted. Continuing to pray for an infection free speedy healing for Tricia. I just can't wait for the day that she and Gwyn get to go home together!!

NCBeachMom said...

Oh wow! walking to a chair, sitting up, breathing on her own! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

When you read this, please pray for my mom tonight, she is in the ER at a hospital here in Raleigh with a high fever. She has not been feeling well and they are running test to see what is up with her. She is in her early 60's.

Thanks!

Patty said...

How absolutely beautiful is this! Praying with and for you!

Thank you, Jesus!

Karen said...

It's so kind and unselfish of you to take the time to write on your blog to us- the little birds on a wire out here. Thank you. You bring honor to our Lord. What a testimony of God's amazing grace there in Durham NC.

BS said...

You have an awesome son - you truly do. Praise the Lord - so glad to hear Tricia is doing well. Continued prayers from Northern VA.

Our Two Blessings From Above said...

Thank you so much for posting!!!!
God Bless. Our family will keep all of you in our prayers!!

Andy Lawrenson said...

Tricia is tougher than boot leather.

Unknown said...

Peter said it best....

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Analisa said...

God is Good!!! Thank you so much for updating us....most of us have never even meet yall, but you are so good at allowing us to be a part of this journey! May everyone get the much needed rest so that you can start tomorrow refreshed! Will continue to pray for Tricia and the rest of the entire family, including the donor family. May God bless each and everyone of you!
In Christ,
youthdirector Jer 29:11

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the updates! We are praying for all of you. And we are in awe of the marvelous works of the Creator! God is AMAZING!!!!!

Philippians 4:19 My God will supply all your needs.

~Sara in MD

Leslie said...

Thank you for the updates. They are greatly appreciated. It helps all of us to know how to pray for Tricia and Nate specifically. Praising God for all He is doing, and will continue to do!

Scott said...

I can't imagine all you've been through over these months! But what a one day experience yesterday must have been. We are praying for rest for all of you, for no rejection, or infection and for the family who donated to be able maybe to see what a special gift they gave!

Lee said...

Wonderful Wonderful NEWS.. Thank you for the updates. And we will be praying....

Catherine said...

Praising God for answered prayers! Praying for your entire family as God shows you the next steps He has for you.

Blessings, Catherine
Ontarion, Canada

Jeffery Russell said...

Rick,
Thanks for all the updates on your family. We're across the sound over here in Weeksville praying for ya'll and happy to hear of Tricia's progress, especially after her surgery this week. God bless all of you for your dependence upon Him in this time of trial.

Your Servant in Christ,
Jeff

http://salembaptist.blogspot.com

Tracie said...

Thanks for the updates! I've been reading Nate's blog for a while, but I was glad to pop over to yours today to read your updates as well.

Blessings to you and yours from
The International House of Prayer
Kansas City

Catherine said...

Thank you so much for the update. What absolutely wonderful news that she is up and breathing!!!! I will keep praying that things continue to progress :)

Randy said...

It's hard to imagine/comprehend what you all have been through, Rick, especially Tricia!

Thanks for giving us a glimpse of what it's like.

Carol said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carol said...

Again, thank you so much for the picture of Tricia you painted. I have no doubt she has a lot of work to do and intense pain to deal with but that you left us with a picture of her breathing on her own is quite a gift. I don't know how anyone will find a cure for something that affects every cell of the body (this is one of the things I pray for), but that she has been given this new chance for good good years is wonderful. Give Nate a hug from all of us. Thanks.
(sorry - deleted last comment because of too many typos)

Anonymous said...

How great is our God! Thank you for all of the updates. Praying for your entire family in Maryland.

Katie said...

Thank you so much for keeping us all updated. Praying for Tricia and yours and her entire family! God is GREAT! :-)

Love,
Katie M.
Crestwood, KY