Oh boy what a 36 hours! I remember seeing the clock at 1:30am, 2am, 3am (yep, I fell asleep), and then it was almost 3:45am so Netflix it was. I’m glad they added “Friends” to the shows.
Then it was showtime! 3:45am they were there to get her! Off to pre-op! The excitement was building but how quickly that went away. They wheeled a gentleman in the pre-op and put him next to Jen. There was one nurse, and he asked if we understood what was going on. We didn’t! He said that they weren’t exactly sure of the status of the lungs so if both lungs were good they went to Jen, but if only one lung was good the other guy got it. My heart sank a little bit. The doc came in to see how both were progressing through pre-op. He said it would be about a half hour. That was at 5:05am. At 5:15am, the nurse said “you won, it’s time to go”. Off she went!
At 7:10 we got our first update call. The surgery had started!
I got a text message from Dr. Chakraborty. It was a picture of a text message from Amy the transplant coordinator at UW. It said that Jen was being transplanted today and that the lungs arrived on site at 7:30am.
No updates…no updates…11:30ish phone rang. Ok, I thought old lungs out, new going in. Wrong, DONE! And that Dr. Mulligan would be in soon to talk.
He said everything went well. He said that the lungs had a little more fluid on them then what was ideal, so it might take longer to get her off the ventilator. Then he told us he had to go do another one of these. Two in one day!
Rest of the day was a blur. ICU stuff…lots of staff coming in and out. She has like 12 iv’s going, the ventilation system going, there is Nitrious hooked up to the vent (it helps with the fluid on the lungs and gets them oxygenating the body quicker), and 4 drain tubes. Here was my favorite part of the day…She didn’t cough one time! And she was able to lay flat.
Glad Jen’s parents were here and glad that mine made the drive today to be here too!
Now it is 8:30 and I’m tired. Good night!
Kerry
This is my FAVORITE blog post yet! So glad you have your family there with you guys! We are sending love and prayers from here! Hope you get some sleep! Love you both!
Great news! Continued prayers…. 🙂
Thank you so much for doing the blog tonight. I’ve been thinking all day about Jen and hoping everything went ok. I knew it would. It had to.
Sorry I hit post before I was done. Lol.
Anyway, I’m so glad everything went good!! Breathe easy Jen!!
Great post! One strong woman you have there.
Awesome news. Praying for a smooth transition and recovery.
What fantastic news! I have been checking for fb updates all day long, as I got ready for work, when I was closing gate behind me as I was leaving my driveway, on my break, as soon as I got off work. …chatting with those who’d heard info in between. I have been praying constantly! This is such an amazing post! I pray you all rest easy tonight and in the nights to come! Continued prayers for a speedy recovery without any complications! You guys are one tough unit and quite the inspiration to many! God is good. ….ALL the time!
I really enjoyed this post Kerry! Thank you so much for the information as you get it. You are one amazing husband and a true inspiration to Jen and her family and friends. She wouldn’t be so strong without you by her side. You are one amazing guy and she is so lucky to have you in her life. Thank you for being there for my dear friend! Keep the positive news coming! We all love hearing such wonderful news about her recovery. Remember to get some sleep (hard I know!) one day at a time.
Kerry and Jen you have both been on my mind all day, I kept checking Facebook even during the Duck MBX, they beat UW. So thankful that things are going well. All my love and prayers are with you. Vi
It is incredible the progress the medical field has made… but even more incredible is the tenacity and strength of that young wife of yours. She is the strongest person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and look forward to having our great neighbor back home to brighten the neighborhood once again.
So happy for all of you to hear this great news. We have been watching the updates and praying every minute, our prayers will continue for a perfect recovery. God Bless you both.
This is such wonderful news I hope things continue on in the most positive light you both have all the love & prayers of so many people…just breathe ♡
Lots of love and good energy coming your way from all the girls at Mercy Food and Nutrition : )
I had a dream last night that my car needed repairs. I took it to the mechanic shop and when I walked in I saw Jen roll out from under a hotrod with grease on her hands and a big smile on her face! She was under there repairing the car. When I asked what she was doing, she just laughed and said, “The surgery went better than we expected!” I’m thrilled to hear things are going well. Hopefully you can all get some much deserved rest.
I’m so glad to hear everything went well I hope you have a speedy recovery
I agree best post to date! And Sarah said it perfectly….:)
Thank you for keeping everyone updated on Jen and I’ll agree this is the best post to date! And Sarah said it perfectly….:) Thanks Sarah
To her family. Please take care of yourself and reach out for any help. We are all here for you so you can be supporting Jennifer. Instant Messaging on FB works wonders.
Keeping you both in my prayers.
This is wonderful! ❤️
thank you for the update Kerry. What an amazing miracle thinking of you , stay strong Jen!
you are in our prayers consistently-long days and short nights may come but the future holds limitless life for the two of you-will keep praying daily
This is great news Kerry!! Everyone here at the district sends love and prayers. You and Jen are on everyone’s mind to say the least. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and return home 🙂
Glad to hear things are going well. Keeping your family in my thoughts.
Jen, I’ve never met you but I have worked with your husband at school. He is an awesome guy so I know that you must be awesome too. Reading your story proves that you are indeed awesome. I look forward to meeting you some day.
So happy to read this latest blog post. Been thinking about Jen all day and night. And of course Makenna keeps talking about how much better Jen is going to feel. “She’s going to be unstoppable.” Sending lots of love and prayers.
I just learned about this from Jeremy. I am soooo happy for you!!! Hugs to both of you and your families. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Dick sends his hugs too.
Mo
Jen, Kerry and the res of the family…WE are PRAYING for you all!!! May the Lord bless you with His peace, comfort, healing, mercy and grace.
JEN STRONG!!!
Blessings,
Bryan Trenkle
kerry you are doing well! Take it an hour at a time. This journey has been hard but you n Jen have hurdled a huge mountain. Great job. Thanks for posting. We continue to pray for healing and strength.
Corina told me about this blog at Zumba. I couldn’t wait to get home and read it for myself! Thanks for keeping us posted, Kerry! Our best to you two.
My prayers are with you all. Thank you for the post. Lord if I could be so bold may you remove the extra fluid from Jens lungs. May she rest peaceful give rest to the families. Bring protection to Jen .Lord thank you for giving so much wisdom too the dr.s Lord bless the family that lost their loved one. May the man who was waiting get his lung. Amen