It's kind of ironic that after Melissa's Facebook post from New Years Eve we're in Edmonton
"2012, 2013 and 2014 didn't deliver lungs, here's to hoping 2015 will be better!"
At 4:45 am January 1st the call from the transplant coordinator came in. They have suitable lungs for Melissa and we have 2 hours to travel to Edmonton to get the ball rolling. Wow, what a moment!! The house lights came on and the packing began. This is what we have been waiting for 2 1/2 years!! Melissa dusted off her bag that she packed when she was first accept for a transplant and Joanne started throwing clothes from her closet. Wow!! Is this really happening? Within 20 minutes the journey to Edmonton was under way. Time to chat about the future, no oxygen hose wrapped around the pets, no coughing fits in the middle of the night and best of all Melissa will be able to take a deep breath like the rest of us!! Something that she has never been able to do.
Shortly before 7am we arrived at the hospital filled with excitement that this really might happen. Time to get admitted and get this game started. As we sat in Melissa's room she says "Mom, Am I dreaming? Is this really happening?" Joanne laughed and said " I think so!" Shortly there after the transplant coordinator entered the room and introduced herself and said that everything was a go. Time to start the tests and fill out some forms. Time to share the good news!! What better way to start a frenzy then to post it to Facebook!! 
A round of hugs and kisses and at 6:05pm and she was taken to the OR. Time for us to get some rest. At 1:15am the surgeon talked to Melissa's dad and said that the surgery went really good. Finally at 4am we got the opportunity to see Melissa for the first time after the operation. Wow!! She looked great. Sure there's tubes coming from everywhere and medication being pumped from high tech machines but she looked great!! What a relief that everything went so good.
Well it worked!! The text messages, FB posts and best wishes started flooding the bandwidth. Over a 100 likes on Facebook and counting and Melissa says "Mom, look at all the likes I have!!" All the communication from loved ones helped to pass the time away. First they said that things would start around 2 then it was pushed to between 4-5 and then 5:30. At approximately 4pm it was time to shower and shave the inch long hair from her legs. She said that, not me!! Into the shower she goes with her little care package that has been tucked away in here bag since the beginning. Then the call for help, "Mom I can't shave my arm hair!! " Joanne entered the bathroom to help with the process and the laughter began. It sounded like two little kids in a splash park. Once that ordeal was over, Melissa started to brush her teeth. Another laughter outbreak?? What the heck is going on in there? Ha ha Melissa's tooth pasted was expired!! Who knew there was expired date on tooth paste?? As 5:30pm came closer and closer the time was not changed. Wow, this might be the time that we have been waiting for. As the room full of family paced and watched the clock, a stretcher arrived outside the door for a special pick up. It was time!!!
Like a trooper that she is she walked right over to the stretcher and climb right on. As she was pushed down the hallway to the OR the family followed nervously behind. This is really going to happen!! Quietly we all entered the elevator and down we went. Slowly Melissa was wheeled into the prep room. Time for another picture!!
