After 14 long months of waiting for "That" call, It came at 6am this morning.
To my dear "family" here on Health unlocked and especially those waiting for "that " call
Hang in there.
The Alfred rang and advised that they believed that lungs were available for Susan.
We arrived at the Alfred at 8am and after x'rays and blood tests we waited for an hour, then told it was "On". Susan went into theatre at 2pm, the op lasted 5 hours and she was in ICU at 8.30pm.
The surgeon advised that he did not have to crack the sternum and there are only 2 incisions beneath Susan's girly parts (Boobs).
My wife has shown tremendous courage today and I am overwhelmed by her tenacity.
Please keep Susan in your prayers as she enters the next stage of recovery and for those still waiting There is hope.
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139 Replies
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Will.....What wonderful news for your beautiful wife and yourself. My heartfelt wishes for Susan's good strong recovery and the beginning of a brand new life ahead
• in reply to
Thank you Jennifer
A long exhausting, but very rewarding day.
I cannot but feel a great sadness for the donor's family
Will and Susan. I am so very, extremely overjoyed to hear the call has come at long last. Well done to you and Susan. You've both been courageous and oh so strong.
Sending you both my love and prayers. Please do keep us posted.
I am so sorry for the short reply last week, but with the transplant comes a burden. Hospital everyday and then home for the housework. It makes life a little difficult to respond to those I hold close to my heart. You, young lady are one of them
It has been 10 days now, we have had 2 major scares, the last being 5 days ago when I nearly lost Susan with her poor heart not beating in rhythm. I watched as the nurse checked Susan's blood pressure and sats, my wife looked grey and as I made a comment the nurse called to me to push the red button on the wall.
All hell broke loose. Dr's and nurses came running into the room and I was asked to leave. I stood outside in the hall and watched GOD's angels working on Susan. No panic, no yelling, just everyone going about their duties, like a well oiled machine. It is no wonder why people say it is the best hospital in the world (Well at least in Australia). A Dr and a nurse came to me to make sure I was okay. I just smiled at them and said "why should I be worried, Susan is in the best hands imaginable". After they stabilised my wife the same two came over to me to tell me that Susan was being transferred to the cardiac ICU. The young female doctor asked me why I was so at ease in such a tense situation, referring to my comments. She said "you have tremendous faith in our staff" and I said " yes I do, but I was not referring to them when I made my comments. You see there was another being in that room, unseen, in whom I have total faith"
Susan is now on the mend and is back in a normal ward, making great progress and asking how soon she can come home.
I was told prior to transplantation that there would be hurdles and hic-cups and was surprised to hear of another transplantee in cardiac ICU with the same problem as Susan. Eerie for me but just an expected event for the staff.
What wonderful news...and what great courage your beautiful wife Susan has shown. It is hard to express how much I hope that the transplant is a complete success and that Susan has a speedy recovery...everything crossed for you both.
What wonderful news, Will! I'm so very happy for you and your brave, lovely wife, Susan. It's a good day.😊 Some days on the site, it's nice. Good things happening for good people. I hope Susans recovery goes smoothly for her, and you and her can live the good life, you so deserve. Bless you, Will, you're a good man. Good luck to you both, Rubyxx 😊
Will ,thank you sooo much for good news. I was sure that Susan ll get lungs, i dont know why i was sure, just intuition. She ll recover!!! I hope to hear good news from Martine now.
I have just checked the replies and I seem to have not replied to your kind email.
Things not going well at present.
Day 5 Dr's still can't manage to get Susan's heart into a normal rhythm. I telephoned the hospital late last night and they were taking Susan down for a C.T scan.
I am about to leave for the hospital and hope there is better news today.
BurrayBoy, I am sure you are VERY worried at the moment, and I wish I could comfort you and ease your concerns, but I am sure your lovely wife will pull through this . We are all hoping and praying that everything will be OK. She is in good hands
The hospital will do everything they can to get her heart into a normal rhythm ..
Good luck and I hope you hear some more encouraging news when you get to the hospital
Yes, all around the world the people on BLF are longing for Susan to get well, but this is bound to take time and no doubt there may be a setback or two along the way. She's in the hands of experts and a very tough & determined lady so she will make it.
Meanwhile Will, you must be as strong for her as you have up until now, but also look after yourself.
Rest is what you need when you get home from the hospital so be assured we're all holding you both in our hearts, and will be patient for your bulletins
• in reply to
Thank you Hanne
You are right in every word you typed.
The only issue is rest, I find it better for me when I am occupied, and, at times, that means sleep depravation, but it is the better than lying in bed not being able to sleep.
It is not stress or worry, as I know Susan is in the best hospital in the world. Just seeing the 24 hour monitoring by nurses, 1 per patient, is relaxing enough for me.
I know my wife will get thru this ordeal, but you cannot be human to go in there everyday and see her lying there and wanting to just take her home.
I do not think I would have the fortitude Susan shows.
Thank you for making me feel at little more at peace
I'm not sure where you are with time, Will, but I hope you've had better news from the hospital, and that Susan's heart is in normal rhythm. You must be so worried, and I'm sure you want to be with her all the time.
Please don't worry about replying. We don't expect it and you have more important things to do! Look after yourself,
Just thought I would check my emails before leaving for the hospital.
It 8 am here, I have Spencer (The dog) under my chair, he knows I am about to leave, but being blessed with terrific kids, they take it in turns to come up and walk him and keep him company.
Susan looked terrific yesterday, the Dr's (Bless them) have her heart beat under control, and Susan got out of bed (aided) and sat in a chair for 2 hours. This is what happens when you exercise even when very ill. Susan did this every day including Friday prior to the surgery.
I am praying that today the Dr's will give me more good news about what the CT scan found inside of her lungs. Concern as to what the shaded area is. Praying that is only an infection.
They have Susan on a strange type of o2 cannula, blowing warm air into her lungs to dry out the wetness. Unbelievable what they can do in at the Alfred..
Hi Will, I'm so pleased that, as I understand it, there's some good news about Susan. With such huge interventions there are bound to be adjustments afterwards and problems which need sorting, but it sounds as though the doctors there are brilliant.
It's good that you have Spencer to look after you while you're at home on your own. Is he the curly white chap with Susan in the photo? Take good care of each other.
We're all rooting for Susan, and thinking of you, and of the donor's family. It's a bit strange to say that all these people with BLF dotted around the world are holding their breath for you both. Who'd want breathless people to hold their breath? Not very powerful - except that it is because our breath is so precious!!
Just getting ready to leave for the Alfred. 7am here (Thursday)
Yes it is Spencer, he is a Spoodle, his colour was buff but over the years he has lightened, also needs to be lightened with his weight.
We are hoping that Susan will be moved from i.C.U into a ward either tpoday or Tomorrow.
Hard to believe that my wife has improved so much in 24 hours.
The Dr's at the Alfred are a very talented lot, but, they pale into insignificance behind the nurses.
Here in Melbourne, if a police officer pulls over a motorist and intends to "book" them and discovers they are a nurse. He lets them go with a good talking to, but they will not book a nurse. Shows how highly the nurses are thought of. I do care that their wages are low and the hours long, for they are worth their weight in gold.
Sue
I will be eternally grateful for all the prayers being offered For Susan, both here and all around the globe and to think most of it is due to a site called Health Unlocked.
We really are a global "family".
It is my intention to do a weekly post on Susan's recovery, if not for any other reason than, to hopefully, enlighten those waiting for a Tx that there is HOPE and the light at the end of the tunnel is not the one we see when passing.
That is such good news and thank you, Will, for taking the time - you now have to stick to the weekly post and look after yourself and Spencer as well as Susan!!
I'm so happy for you both. I agree absolutely that there is always hope. Never give up hoping.
I really like what you say about nurses, though it probably applies just to Melbourne nurses! I was a nurse all my working life and loved it, and still miss the patients after ten years being retired.
Take care, both of you and Spencer (don't put him on a diet until his mum's home!). Keep things going in the right direction - it doesn't matter how long it takes.
It's amazing what they can do with the aid of all those tubes and wires. Try to catch up on some sleep whenever you get the chance, wouldn't want Susan to be worrying about you. Hope each day goes as well as the first one.
wishing you both all the very best . You must be very brave to be able to write that post to all of us with everything going on around you . So pleased . Allen
What wonderful news Will and an emotional rollercoaster for you! Susan is in my prayers and you too, you are both remarkable people!😁 much love and healing thoughts, huff xxx
All the replies have been overwhelming, sorry that I cannot respond to all but I have to leave early, working today and still trying to organise how best to get into the Alfred this arvo.
I left Susan this arvo at 4pm, looks tired, but otherwise in good spirits. They have removed the breathing tube, but my poor girl has tubes running from her (like spaghetti). They should be removed in the next 2 days
I will try a new post in next few days, with an updated pic on Susan in recovery.
She looked drained and tired this arvo, but my wife has that determined focus so I may have to wear my tin hat in a few days time.
I was dumbfounded today when I walked into the I.C.U. I expected to see her spaced out, but she was semi raised and smiled at me when our eyes met. Cannot believe that Susan had major surgery less than 24 hours ago. Alert and coherent.
Our kids turned up as I was leaving, all impressed with how well she looked.
Give Susan our very best on her path to recovery and make sure you stay strong and healthy for her. Our thoughts and prayers are with Susan and the donors family.
I am so very happy for you both and you vert much in my thoughts and prayers at the moment and have been for some considerable time.My love to you both ...this is the start of another long hard journey but you will get there.
Have a brand new keyboard so keys not sticking where they had paint droplets spilt on them.Hope Susan is feeling all our thoughts and prayers.And you to.
What brilliant news! Wish wishes to you both. I also think that the donor & their family are amazing people to be so selfless at such a painful time - thoughts go out to them as well.
My thoughts are with you and Susan, and also your gorgeous dog. Of course our thoughts are always with donor family's, but at least the donor's life won't have been in vain.
Still a gut wrenching decision, I am guessing that other organs would have been donated by the family, so they may take rest in the fact that more than one soul is now in a better place
Yes this is by far the best site for lung disease and other ailments.
There is always that human touch when I read the posts and replies.
I do try to add a little humor when I post, read too many sad stories, so I try to react by believing my glass is always half full, but until yesterday, I was so glad just to have a glass to drink from.
Hi Will, my glass is always half full too, it's the only way to be. Some people I know, who have good health too I might add, it's half empty for them. The old man and I are going out for lunch soon so I will raise my full glass to you and Susan. Love moongirl. 🍷 🍸 xx
I have and will keep doing so until your beautiful wife is home and well once again, hang in there Will you have so many good friends here and keep us updated if at all possible 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
wonderful news, i will keep you both in my thoughts and wish u all the best. i am at the beginning of the journey for lung transplant and would like to follow your progress for hope and inspiration xxx
( I am guessing that is the dog's name). Our spoodle in the pic is Spencer.
I wish you GOD speed on your journey.
I hope to have a new informative post each week for some time on Susan's progress.
I am convinced that anyone who chooses to take the Transplant option makes the correct decision.
We have been watching a UK series on transplantation recently and it is the same as we have encountered thus far with the surgery and post op.
The big change is the less intrusive surgery, 2 smaller incisions below the Girly bits, and not having to crack the rib cage. Also the time for surgery is around 4 hours, unlike the 7 hours last year. All this enhances a speedier recovery.
The main point with us and I am sure with others who have made this journey is Exercise.
I cannot stress it enough. Push yourself, even when you do not feel like it.
This is the single most important function you MUST maintain.
Other targets are important but a strong exercise regime is essential to a successful Tx. After the op your body will not be able to retain all the necessary functions, so by going into theatre with good muscle tone you will have a far better outcome in the long term.
Talk to your Pulmonologist /nurse and if you are not in a support group, find one and try to exercise with others (not a gym or fitness club) who have lung disease.
Susan was blessed with being permitted to continue on after the 12 visits, twice weekly, at the rehab centre, by the way they never charged us for the over 100 visits.
Look I am beating a drum again but
Exercise is essential, and if you can, purchase a treadmill for home use and use it at least daily.
Do not undertake any ,home alone, exercises unless you have a finger oximeter. It is also essential to alert you and maintain proper o2 and pulse sats.
thanks for your lovely reply, actually mitchypoo was my gamer tag on xbox years ago but i still use it as a username as its often available to use. My lovely dog is Poppy she's 10 years old and by my side at all times. The tv series you have watched I believe is "gift of life" filmed at Newcastle which is the hospital i will be going to for assessment I have watched it also and its very inspiring. I am going to rehab twice a week at the moment for exercise and eduction on how to breath correctly and its is fantastic how positive it makes you feel. I will keep up with your posts and again wish you both all the best for the coming weeks.
I can't imagine what went through her minds all the '' what if's '' but well done and I wish her a speedy recovery and a big pat on the back for being so brave
Thank you Bill for letting us all know please keep us updated
We talk all the time and it was only when I told her I loved her and would be waiting for her after surgery, then kissed Susan goodbye as they wheeled her into theatre that I felt anxiety from her, trembling, which she managed to avoid until this point. Sure she was terrified and told me so several times, but, my lady has more grit in one finger than most others. , luckily the anaesthetist was the brother of Susan's rehab exercise physio and She had alerted him of Susan's op, This put Susan in a better position, having just left me and finding someone whom she could relate to.
Hi Will it's fantastic news no mater how many '' what ifs '' the next few weeks will be challenging you will be in our thoughts
Dear Will, we are always desperate for happy news so it was lovely to hear of your early morning call! I can tell your Susan is a very precious lady and am sure you'll both make the most of every single moment once she's "up & running" with her new lungs. That will be a tribute to the donor in itself. All my fingers are crossed and my hopes strong, for a great recovery. You take care meanwhile. Much love xxx
• in reply to
Thank you Hanne
It is messages like yours that makes it a privilege to sit here typing away with my response.
Hi BurrayboyEasty, I pray God will strengthen you both and continue to give you peace as you wait for Susan's recovery and healing. Praying also for comfort for the family of the diner.
Just arrived home from hospital, Susan has improved beyond expectations.
The Dr's have managed to fix the rhythm in Susan's heart, now they have to sort out what is happening inside the lungs.
Concerns for possible infection, rejection or crushed glass (the latter we do not want to even think about). We spent 3 hours in the Alfred today, Susan was sitting in a chair, a first since the op, and managed to stay sitting for 2 hours, but grew tired and opted for the bed.
I am very pleased with my wife's progress and cannot thank my "family" members here on H.U for you messages of support.
We have so many friends, met here on H.U and I get a real kick when I see good people, like yourselves, who have gone thru the washing machine called lung fibrosis and have come out the other side, with hope, and a sense of well being.
The most important discovery we have made post transplant, is that just like when diagnosed, all seem to be different in how the disease affects each one of us and likewise how we have handled the surgery and learn to deal with the hic-cups we must face post op.
GOD Bless and best wishes on your travel on a far better road than before.
Will
Beautiful woman so strong a wish her health and happiness good luck x
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