My Miracle Seems Real Now

When Anna was little after being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis we did not know how long she would live. The idea that her life could be saved through a lung transplant was unthinkable. And here we are now, miracle on order, miracle received. Our hopes and dreams for a future for our child, now a smart and capable young woman can come true. Remarkable!

5 weeks, three days post transplant......

It is Thursday and what a difference each day is making. The healing is in full force. Anna has no more leakage (except for a little via the picc line hole, getting less everyday).......... a big milestone to cross. She felt wet for so long. Creatinine is at 1.2, normal, and the kidneys are functioning fine now. The puffiness that turned Anna into a human marshmallow is lessening a lot. Yesterday in the morning Anna said, "I am just going to enjoy my morning coffee." That sounds like something unremarkable to most people but it is probably the first time she has ever said such a thing. For so many years now her mornings have been a struggle with treatments, meds and cooking a high calorie breakfast everyday, non stop. There has been no time for "enjoying a morning coffee." Life is changing.

After morning blood draw today I suggested we do something at 9AM. Anna said, "we can do that? We can just go and do something? That sounds so normal." We went to Barrone's for breakfast in Menlo Park. We placed our order and the waitress handed us our number, the fabulous number 22! Remember Anna received her lungs on 11/22. It felt as though our mojo and magic was visiting us once again. A relief and a treat creating smiles on our tired faces. After a little rest and nap at home it was time for lunch. Anna was craving Pizza My Heart.......... Ok, lets go out again. Two meals out, breakfast and lunch. Casey was with us. We took him home and as we drove away Anna said, "Hey, let's walk around the park!" We did. Her energy level is fabulous today. I am sure she is going to be running circle around me as she should one day soon.

We are healing, I am still exhausted (call it, tired to the bone, that will require an extensive vacation in say, an exotic location?) but encouraged that things are going to get better, quickly. Let us hope there are not too many turns in the road. There still can be surprises as Anna's meds are adjusted, her blood clot resolves, her blood pressure returns to normal and her body makes itself new. I would like to think that all of the troubles that Anna had in the beginning burned up the bad stuff that she might experience and the only things we will see now are forward progress.

Doug and Sara are taking care of our Murphys home this week and tomorrow Anna and I are going to Livermore! I get to go home! We will stay until Sunday and then we will return to begin a busy week with clinic appointments, infusions, and pulmonary rehab.

Tomorrow is New Years Eve and we are ending this year with hope and optimism and beginning the new year with new lungs for Anna, the hardest parts behind us and a deeper sense of our capabilities and the joy of being so well supported by people who have cared about this journey. The world looks bright. We are grateful to the donor and their family and all of the wonderful medical professionals who cared for Anna during these critical 6 weeks.

May you have a fabulous New Year filled with Love......
I do believe that is the key ingredient.
We all need love and connection.