Well That Was Quick!

Sooo there has been a slight change of plans. =) We found out that my Dad will be released from the hospital early next week. And he will need to stay in Rochester for 2 to 3 weeks for appts and in case anything happens. But after that he will be able to go home!!!!!!! There will be no transplant house, just home. =) This is such wonderful news and I am still in shock of it all.

My Dad looks so good! You would have never known that he just had a liver transplant 2 days ago. And lets not forget the fabulousness that is Ginger! She is amazing and she looks amazing.

Oatmeal

Well they've moved on to solids! =) Another great start to the day. Both are looking great and are in great spirits.

Please take the time to check out my Dad's Caring Bridge website. Julie posted a beautiful picture of Ginger and my Dad. It's the picture of them seeing each other for the first time.

Wow!

Today has not been what I thought it would be. I thought my Dad and Ginger would sleep on and off all day, building their strength. But boy oh boy was I wrong!

I was sitting in the waiting room at around 11am and all of the sudden I hear Heidi's voice. "Ginger's coming! She's switching rooms!" I peek around the corner and see the most beautiful woman being wheeled by. It's Ginger! And she's not even being wheeled in her bed, she's in a wheel chair. Wow! We all walked with her to her new room, out of ICU. Huge.

Again I found myself sitting in the waiting room. I had only been there for about 5 minutes. All of the sudden I hear Heidi's voice agian, "They're moving Dad too!". I jumped out of my chair, turned the corner. I was totally expecting to see my Dad being wheeled by bed. But nope! Not that strong brave Father of mine. He was in a wheel chair. With a big ol smile on his face. Which is, may I say, the most beautiful smile. So again we all walked together, to his new room, out of ICU. Amazing.

After these two huge events I figured that they would both be pretty tired and need naps. So I left with Heidi and Taylor. Sent them off, as they had to go home. I just got finished having lunch and was waiting for the shuttle to bring me back to The Mayo. I received a picture from Julie on my phone. It was a picture of my Dad standing, yes I said standing, beside Ginger's bed. She was sitting up and his hand was placed on her cheek. Truly breathtakingly beautiful. I wasn't even sad I missed it. Because I could feel the emotion through that picture.

This has all been a miracle. My goodness, it hasn't even been 24 hours!

Calm

Good Morning! Things are calm here. Both are exhausted and getting rest. I think today will be filled with quick in and out visits. My Dad and Ginger both need their rest and I don't want to be the one disturbing them. Especially since they have Nurses and Doctors coming in and out waking them each time.

Not much to say..........sorry. It's all still a little overwhelming. So for now I will just be updating on the main details. =)

Ice Cold Bud Light

Awwwwwww..........................Everything went so well. Both are resting comfortably in their beds. It's very comforting and peaceful. I've gotten to speak with both my Dad and my Aunt Ginger. My Dad is already cracking jokes. The Nurse asked if he needed anything and his response was, "An ice cold Bud Light" Ha! Perfect.

This has been such an amazing day. Thank you all for you wonderful thoughts and prayers. We all felt them.

SUCCESS!!!

The surgery is done! My Dad is doing great. We won't see him yet, but soon. My Dad is good and so is Ginger. This is a wonderful day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Blood is Flowing!

The blood is flowing throughout my Dad's new liver!!!!!!! They are connecting the bile duct now. He will be in surgery for about another 3 hours.

Ginger's room has been assigned and they are most likely just waiting for her to wake up and then they will move her. Soo excited to see her! The woman is a SAINT!

At The Mayo

Well I finally made it here! It took awhile but I made it. =) My Dad is still in surgery. My Aunt Ginger is in recovery! The Nurse said that everything is going well.

Wow! I'm still in shock that this is happening. I'm so excited that everything is going well and that Ginger is already recovering. I can't wait to see her!

My Dad will be in surgery for a couple more hours. I really want to see him but I know he is in excellent hands and it's best that I leave this for the professionals. ;)

I'll keep posting as things happen.......

ALL SYSTEMS GO!

Lymph nodes are clear! The Transplant is on! =)

HERE WE GO!

Wow! It's approaching.........my Dad's transplant. Again, wow! My Dad and Julie are at the Mayo this morning. My Dad is being checked in right now.

Tomorrow is the transplant. Today is the procedure where they go in and lift my Dad's liver to check his lymph nodes. There are lymph nodes right under your liver that they can not test without getting right in there. They are doing this to check and make sure that the cancer has not spread to them. If it has not, they don't think it has, then it's all systems go on the transplant!

Now about my Dad's transplant. We cannot discuss his transplant without talking about my Aunt, The Saint, Ginger. Ginger is my Dad's sister who has been going through test after test to see if she would be a good match for a live donor. Guess what!? She is!! She will be right by my Dad's side tomorrow. Going through this with him. She is a Saint! (Always has been I should add.)

They will be taking 65% of Ginger's liver. Leaving her with 35%. Within 10 days her liver will be back at 75% and in a month a full 100%! Amazing what the human body is capable of doing. My Dad will be getting that 65%. I'm sure you get the numbers thing, it will then grow. If I write anymore percentages down I will feel like I'm back in math class. (Eeck!)

He will be at the Mayo for 10 days. From there he will move to the transplant house. He will be at the transplant house for 2 months. During those two months I am honored to say that I will be sharing the time with Julie caring for him. There is nothing I would rather do then take care of my Dad. He took care of me, now it is my turn.

Lots of love for my Dad! I will be updating a lot throughout this whole process............