Brother-in-law

[pegne]

I have had the most bittersweet 3 1/2 days that I can recall. As some of you already know, my brother-in-law has been waiting for a new heart for a little over a year now. Well, this past Thursday he recieved his call at 7:55am. They had a heart for him. We all rushed up to the University of Chicago hospitals and at 2:00 pm they wheeled him down for his new heart. The operation took just a little over 5 hours and so far all is well. As we were driving to the hospital I could not help but feel for the donor and his/her family and later we found out the donor was an 18 to 20 year old male. This was quite possibly the most profound experience I have gone through or will ever go through. As we, the family of the recipient, are rejoicing, saying prayers of thanksgiving, and feeling relief, there is a family out there grieving, saying prayers asking for comfort and strength and feeling completely anguished. This is so far above my realm of comprehension. This great joy and this great sorrow. The loss of a life and giving life. The generousity of this donor family and their love for humanity is something I could never put into words. Because of the age of the donor it is quite probable that a parent had to make this decision. I myself wish to be a donor as does my husband and my youngest daughter. I know I would never have a problem giving my husbands organs but when it comes to my daughter, I do not know that I could. I just pray that I never have to make that decision. This week has been a life changing experience, not only for my brother-in-law but for all of us. This really gives you a different perspective and it is something I wanted to share with you all. Thanks

 

[Sherry]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing such an incredible story. One family's loss is another's gain. Please give my best to your brother-in-law and his family.

 

[Glenda]

What a wonderful, touching story. Best of luck to your brother-in-law and his family. God does answer prayers and touches people in an amazing way.

 

[Nancy]

That is such a beautiful story. When Joe was in the hospital for a month in Jan. of 2003, he spent a lot of time in the Transplant Unit, because he needed very, very specialized care. There were several transplant patients that came back to visit their nurses and doctors. They looked wonderful. I have seen many others on television for various stories. They are in terrific shape and are so grateful to the highly skilled doctors who saved their lives.

What a miracle heart transplant is. I wish your brother-in-law a wonderful long life.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Pegne,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Being a donor is a very special thing a person can do for another.
All of you and the donors family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Take Care

 

[Bryan B]

Pegne,

Thanks for sharing, and congratulations to your BIL and family. I hope he continues to get better and he doesn't have any problems with rejection.

My ex-wife used to work for COPA (carolina organ procurement agency), and she flew with and assisted the surgeons when they "got the call". I became good friends with one of their more active volunteers who was a heart transplant recepient. He taught me to bowl and I taught him to play golf...and he competed in both sports in the "Transplant Games". I know it's not on the same level, but I'm very grateful that someone donated their pulmonary valve so I could have my Ross Procedure. I have made sure my entire family is aware of my wishes to donate anything they can use should I pass away (I have it on my driver's licence too, but your family's wishs can override that).

 

[Harpoon]

While I was at Cleveland Clinic for my valve replacement last year there was a little girl (I think she was 4 or 5) who was waiting for a new heart.

She got it about two weeks before I got to go home.

She had spent almost her entire life living in the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital....

(I was there in children's and not in the adult heart section because I had a congenital heart defect)


It's a VERY powerful thing to consider, and something that could quite possibly be in my future given the condition that I have and it's long term prognosis...

My wife just renewed her state ID (she doesn't drive, just has a non-driver's ID issued by the DMV) and she listed herself as an organ and tissue donor. The joke 9if you can call it that) is that if I ever need it, I can have one of her kidneys. We're matches and it almost came up while I was in Cleveland...

I can't even donate blood, let alone organ and tissues. My body's too "unique" to be any good to anyone else.


Well, I guess I could donate some hair maybe to make a wig for a chemo patient, but it's not really long enough right now.



I'm a HUGE advocate for organ and tissue donation. It's a very personal choice and difficult to make in the midst of a tradgedy (generally deaths from natural causes don't allow for organ and tissue donation)

If it's important to you, you should tell people who would be making decisions on your behalf of your wishes now, while you can. Makes it a little easier later.

I'm considering an offer to let my body be examined post-mortem so that more can be learned about my condition and experiences... I dunno if it would really be helpful, but a lot of my anatomy is fairly unique as was learned while i was in Cleveland and there might be some useful information to be gathered.

However, I'd want to be sure the arrangements were made specifically for research into my condition. Most cadavers are used in medical school anatomy classes and (on occassion) scientific research not at all related to a medical condition or cause of death...


Sorry, guess of of that is a little gruesome....

 

[hensylee]

Hi Peggy - good to see you; we missed you.

Congratulations to your brother-in-law and your family on this great event. He is truly blessed. I am sure the donating family is having bittersweet thoughts, as well. After all, their loved one has gone but is still here. Isn't it just amazing; the world of modern medicine that can give such a gift. My prayers for you all.

Some of you oldies might recall that we had another heart recipient some yrs ago. It is Jessica from over the pond. A quite young lady.

 

[Abbanabba]

Hi Pegne,

I can only imagine what an emotional rollercoaster it has been for you and your family this last week, but it is wonderful to hear that your brother-in-law has been given a second chance at life.

As heartbreaking as it must be for your donor family, I hope that knowing their loss has prevented your loss, somehow helps them through their pain. Perhaps it will help them to "make sense of it all" on some level, rather than thinking their son's life ended for no reason.

I hope your brother-in-law has an easy recovery and all goes well.

Cheers
Anna : )

 

[pegne]

A little update on my brother-in-law

A little update on my brother-in-law

Chuck is doing very well. He's been up walking the halls since Sat. and as of today ALL the tubes have been removed. He's still in a lot of pain but the medication seems to help with that. He should only be in the hospital 10 to 14 days provided there aren't any unforseen circumstances. After he's home he can't receive visitors except family. It is vital that he stay away from germs. He will not be allowed to go outside for the first 45 days except to go to the doctor. The first 6 months are the most important. Of course he will be on anti-rejection meds for the rest of his life. His body will always and forever try to reject the heart and his meds will be in constant need of readjusting but chances are he will be leading a relatively normal life again. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Peggy

 

[sylviayasgur]

what a beautiful and touching thread

what a beautiful and touching thread

hi peggy,
it's so great to hear that chuck is doing well.i wish him a continued easy recovery.
your post was so sensitively written, it truly moved me (and i can see it did so for others here as well).
thank you so much for sharing that with us.
hope you're well,
sylvia

 

[Mark Wagner]

That's great news Peggy. It looks like Chuck has a whole lot of prayers, and he can count on more from me. Keep in touch Peggy.

God bless you ... Mark