I am not overly religious. There have been enough times in my life where disaster, if not death, has been averted for no apparent reason for me to believe in a higher power, but I have some reservations about organised religion. I have my beliefs but keep them private. Still I do believe in miracles.
In May 2016 Karen was going through the testing process for her lung transplant. We met a couple at the transplant center who live about a 30 minute drive from us and Dan was undergoing testing for a heart transplant, having been told 7 months previously he had only 12 months to live.
Dan had a rare heart condition, so rare that less than two dozen people suffering from the condition have had transplants world wide with a 50% mortality rate during the procedure due to complications this particular illness has. In Europe they will no longer transplant for this condition and until today only 1 patient had received a heart transplant in Australia and none in New Zealand.
Karen and Dan had the same test appointments at the same times for three days and we became close to each other. They were placed on the transplant lists on the same day. We would see each other at review appointments and I would call into say hello if I was passing on patrol, unfortunately they live in the opposite direction than my official "beat" so this did not happen as often as I wished.
Dan and Angie were at the centre soon after Karen's turnaround postbtransplant and were great support to me for the few days they were there. They were unable to see Karen who was still under sedation, but we all caught up and had a great time a few months later as we were still in residence for Dan's following review. Three weeks ago Karen had a few days in hospital for some intravenous antibiotics after developing a slight infection, and on the way home as we approached where they live she suggested we stop in and see them. Dan was in good spirits but had lost weight. He admitted that he had been having a rest when we arrived as his strength was slowly declining and any activity was tiring.
This afternoon I was in the other room when my cell phone rang. When I got to it I saw that the call was from Dan and Angie, and I knew that either Dan had come through his transplant or it was bad news. Karen just knew that Dan had had his transplant and was eager to hear the details. Knowing the stress placed on the caregiver both at transplant time and when someone has passed away I simply sent a text and Angie called me back shortly afterwards.
Dan had his transplant this morning. He went into theatre about 8 am and, despite a 10 hour expected procedure, was in the ICU shortly after 3:30 this afternoon. He came through the surgery well and is still sedated. They will not start to bring him around until tomorrow.
Karen and I will be up in Auckland in 3 weeks for her regular review and will catch up with them both then.
In the meantime Hearty Towers, our national heart and lung transplant center, still continues to perform miracles, giving new life to people just when they need it most.
In May 2016 Karen was going through the testing process for her lung transplant. We met a couple at the transplant center who live about a 30 minute drive from us and Dan was undergoing testing for a heart transplant, having been told 7 months previously he had only 12 months to live.
Dan had a rare heart condition, so rare that less than two dozen people suffering from the condition have had transplants world wide with a 50% mortality rate during the procedure due to complications this particular illness has. In Europe they will no longer transplant for this condition and until today only 1 patient had received a heart transplant in Australia and none in New Zealand.
Karen and Dan had the same test appointments at the same times for three days and we became close to each other. They were placed on the transplant lists on the same day. We would see each other at review appointments and I would call into say hello if I was passing on patrol, unfortunately they live in the opposite direction than my official "beat" so this did not happen as often as I wished.
Dan and Angie were at the centre soon after Karen's turnaround postbtransplant and were great support to me for the few days they were there. They were unable to see Karen who was still under sedation, but we all caught up and had a great time a few months later as we were still in residence for Dan's following review. Three weeks ago Karen had a few days in hospital for some intravenous antibiotics after developing a slight infection, and on the way home as we approached where they live she suggested we stop in and see them. Dan was in good spirits but had lost weight. He admitted that he had been having a rest when we arrived as his strength was slowly declining and any activity was tiring.
This afternoon I was in the other room when my cell phone rang. When I got to it I saw that the call was from Dan and Angie, and I knew that either Dan had come through his transplant or it was bad news. Karen just knew that Dan had had his transplant and was eager to hear the details. Knowing the stress placed on the caregiver both at transplant time and when someone has passed away I simply sent a text and Angie called me back shortly afterwards.
Dan had his transplant this morning. He went into theatre about 8 am and, despite a 10 hour expected procedure, was in the ICU shortly after 3:30 this afternoon. He came through the surgery well and is still sedated. They will not start to bring him around until tomorrow.
Karen and I will be up in Auckland in 3 weeks for her regular review and will catch up with them both then.
In the meantime Hearty Towers, our national heart and lung transplant center, still continues to perform miracles, giving new life to people just when they need it most.
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