Day One....this is as good as it gets! "Dr. Weikauf"

Ok, first off, everyone gets a hug! Everyone!!! Not wimpy noodle arms or a 3-back-pat man hug, but a big tight bear hug, with little animated red cartoon hearts floating all around as I'm hugging you.....That's the kind of day it's been (as Lloyd Robertson would say....)

I just found out you could comment on my blog, so I read your comments, aw shucks, are you ever niiiiiice.....thanks, people....

I bet you want some good news, don'tcha? Well, I won't keep you waiting. How about this for starters...Dr. Weikauf (post transplant care doc) said of Donovan's "Rockstar" nite (that's how a nurse described Donovan when I impatiently phoned the ICU for an update in the wee morning hours, she said, Donovan, he's a rockstar!!!) anyway, where was I? oh yes, Dr. W. said, "Day 1, this is a good as it gets!" Then he went on to describe several other less terrific scenarios that could have played out because of the very serious condition (and that's putting it in PG language) that Donny was in when he went into the OR.

• So, today, it was wake-up time for Donovan. But it wasn't anything like, snap, ok, where am I? It was more one eyelid lifted a quarter of a mm., another eye, a 20 minute doze, repeat process while ecstatic parents repeated appeal to sleepy son to please, please, open your eyes, squeeze my fingers....wiggle your toes, earth to Donovan.....after several hours we did get both eyes simultaneously open, but only for a few seconds. The porch light was on, occupants were questionable, if you get my drift. We gently announced he was breathing with new lungs, and assured him repeatedly that he was in the best care possible and doing wonderfully. I recall the word "miracle" being tossed around like a baseball!!!

The main thing today was to make sure he was comfy, I think he was mostly, and to get him off the sedation. We accomplished that! That lots for day one!!! He has many painkilling drugs on board and tomorrow will get an epidural for pain control. Amazingly, this type of pain med that is used a lot for childbirth can in this case be isolated to a few inches on either side of his clam-shell incision, which goes horizontally across his chest from armpit to armpit.

As far as getting that breathing tube out...well, we are going to go at Donovan speed for that. His comfort level and "numbers" will let us know when he is ready to be extubated. The respirator today was on the lowest possible setting, but it was controlling Donovan, whereas tomorrow we want it to be only assisting, and then we hope to fire the thing shortly after and have Donny do the whole breathing thing on his own! Sound like a plan? We hope so....

Yes, I do get my hyper-ness out on this blog. But seriously, I spent a lot of time today trying to wrap my head around our situation...a lot of time I'm sure looking like I was the one on drugs....and I think I may feel like this for some time. So if any of you see me with a glazed-over post-traumatic stress disorder look on my face, aimlessly wandering the halls of U of A...well, that's just me....for a while anyway.....

On a side note...I have the world's most amazing husband, and yes, I now know for sure (I've always suspected) I'm darn lucky to be his wife. He has held up and held me up unbelievably through our roller-coaster....Of course he's also cased the whole hospital and made mental notes and verbal ones on how the whole joint could be better run, including improvements to personnel, machinery, useage of available space ...you have to truly know Laurier to appreciate this. What a guy!!!

Ok, now I'm just rambling. But I'd like to leave you with this ( a fave of my family, that's been in my head all day)... Psalm 103: 2-5 "Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget none of His benefits, who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion, who satisfies your life with good things, so your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Soaring with Eagles.....Beth, Laurier & Donovan

ps...a few prayers to get off the respirator...can we do it troops? Thanks!

pps. So nice to see Chantal, Kaylee & Shenoa who drove in from S'toon. Thanks guys!!! (and mind that speed, Chantal). You are so loyal. Love ya!

Roger, Joan & Julie, you were the hands and feet of Jesus to us when we needed you most...you were there! We love you and will miss you. It's only 2 hrs away, Julie!!!

And to my sisters, Jewel & Ghislaine...what can I say....thanks to West Jet for getting you here...and to you for feeding me and getting me through. I love you

till tomorrow,
Beth