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!!
What a way to begin 2015 - best of luck to you!
ReplyDeletesuch a great story. we are all so happy for your family, and cant wait to see her breathing normally. last time we saw her, was in the foothills. watching her cough and you pounding her back was not fun, but so glad that Jordan and her roomed together and we made wonderful friens. it has been great following her journey. many prayers have been said asking for new lungs. we are so glad they finally came. thanks for the updates. love, the Stepan family
ReplyDeleteWell Melissa the wait is finally over it took a long time and you waited and were a real trooper now a new life begins for you
ReplyDeletewe are so very happy for you and only hope the best now go and live life you so deserve it best of luck to you
Dale and Shirley
Congrats Melissa. We are just thrilled for you. Madison says congrats on your new wungs aka lungs. Lol we wish you a speedy recovery. Take care!
ReplyDeleteAnd now living your life begins...take a deep breath and enjoy the ride. So happy for you and the family! Prayers always being sent. Joanne's co-worker Lise
ReplyDeleteWe wish you nothing but the best and great success on the second part of journey through a full blessed life.
ReplyDeleteAwesome way to kick off 2015, Happy New Year!!!!!
ReplyDeleteRick & Barb
My life is beautiful thanks to you, Mein Helfer. Lord Jesus in my life as a candle light in the darkness. You showed me the meaning of faith with your words. I know that even when I cried all day thinking about how to recover, you were not sleeping, you were dear to me. I contacted the herbal center Dr Itua, who lived in West Africa. A friend of mine here in Hamburg is also from Africa. She told me about African herbs but I was nervous. I am very afraid when it comes to Africa because I heard many terrible things about them because of my Christianity. god for direction, take a bold step and get in touch with him in the email and then move to WhatsApp, he asked me if I can come for treatment or I want a delivery, I told him I wanted to know him I buy ticket in 2 ways to Africa To meet Dr. Itua, I went there and I was speechless from the people I saw there. Patent, sick people. Itua is a god sent to the world, I told my pastor about what I am doing, Pastor Bill Scheer. We have a real battle beautifully with Spirit and Flesh. Adoration that same night. He prayed for me and asked me to lead. I spent 2 weeks and 2 days in Africa at Dr Itua Herbal Home. After the treatment, he asked me to meet his nurse for the HIV test when I did it. It was negative, I asked my friend to take me to another nearby hospital when I arrived, it was negative. I was overwhite with the result, but happy inside of me. We went with Dr. Itua, I thank him but I explain that I do not have enough to show him my appreciation, that he understands my situation, but I promise that he will testify about his good work. Thank God for my dear friend, Emma, I know I could be reading this now, I want to thank you. And many thanks to Dr. Itua Herbal Center. He gave me his calendar that I put on my wall in my house. Dr. Itua can also cure the following diseases ... Cancer, HIV, Herpes, Hepatitis B, Inflammatory Liver, Diabetis, Bladder Cancer,Colorectal Cancer,Breast Cancer,Kidney Cancer,Leukemia,Lun,Fribroid,Parkinson's disease,Inflammatory bowel disease ,Fibromyalgia, recover your ex. You can contact him by email or whatsapp, @ .. drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com, phone number .. + 2348149277967 .. He is a good doctor, talk to him kindly. I'm sure he will also listen to you.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately there are a lot of AIDS/Herpes denials on Herbal cures still out there. I did research on them after I was tested HIV/Herpes positive I was so worried am I going to die soon. I continue my search again on herbal remedy for Std, then I found lots of testimony on how Dr Itua Herbal Medicine Cured HIV/Aids, Herpes Virus,Copd, Hepatitis,Shingles, Als,Diabetes,Epilepsy,Infertility, On websites sharing their testimonies, which made much more sense to me. All the authors pronounce Dr Itua As a man with Good Heart, I pick interest in their testimonies and I contact him about my situation then he gave me procedure how it works, I proceed after one week he courier his Herbal Medicine to me and instruct me on how to drink it for two weeks to cure. I receive His Herbal Medicine so I drank it for two weeks as I was told then after 2 days I go for a test I found out I was cured from HIV/Aids & Herpes Virus, I pay homage to him 2 months ago to his country to celebrate with him on his African festival which he told me it usually happens every year. I know there are lots of (HIV)/Aids&Herpes Virus denials of Herbal Remedy movement the same few doctors and they represent a very small faction of the community. I could have died because I refused Natural Herbs Cures for so long, but luckily, by the grace of God I am alive to tell my story. Contact Info...Whatsapp Number...+2348149277967,Email...drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com/My Instagram Username...avat5634 Just in case you need someone to talk with.
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