"STEWIE" still HAPPY

Thank you to everyone for their continued inquiries about my brother Chip.  He has had a great couple of days and nights.  He sounds like he did 20 years ago... young, effervescent and FULL OF LIFE.  Amazing what a lil' ole liver can do for you. 

His Doctor's visit this morning went well. Blood sugar at a good level.  Medicines are staying the same (But always subject to change any day).  He goes to the Dr. about every other day.  The kind folks at the hotel took him in the hotel van this morning and waited for him.  We still could not have asked for any better treatment from any of the places he has been.  From all the surgeons to our sweet little house cleaning lady named Agnes we have encountered simply some of the nicest people ever.  Of course, it's kind of easy for my brother to work his way into your heart.  He's just a big ole' guy who looks like the ex-football that he is and who is just as nice and friendly as can be.  He is so appreciative of all that has happened to him and knows that the Angels have worked overtime on his behalf.  (I do say he is friendlier now than the past few years but being gravely ill I can only imagine will do that to you). 

 

We move on minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day ..... doing what we are told by the Doctor's and LOVING every second that we have. 

 

Have a GREAT Labor Day Weekend and be Safe.  We have a family get together tomorrow at his hotel which we are all very excited about!

 

From Stewie and all the Bryant's.....thank you for your continued prayers, love and support.

 

Hugs to ALL!

 

First Night Solo @ the Hotel

So "STEWIE" was on his own last night (of course with Donna).  It was overall a good night.  We have had a few interesting things occur.   Another person who has the EXACT SAME names  meds were delivered to Chip's room.  (In error).   Thankfully my Aunt Jean was there, along with Donna, Alesia and Matt,  to figure out that Chip was not 8 years or so older than the birthdate said on the large drug box that was delivered on Dry Ice that took up almost the entire space in the refrigerator.  Even more interesting is that again this morning the SAME delivery was made with the same WRONG meds.  (Well the meds weren't wrong they were just sent to the WRONG person).  Apparently the 'other same name man' had a lung transplant.  Not sure if he is in the same extended stay hotel but if he is then that is uncanny. However, I think this kink has been handled. (WE HOPE).  This could have turned out bad!!

 

We have had SUCH INCREDIBLE service and have had no hiccups at all so far.  The hotel has been INCREDIBLE.  They offered to take him to his Dr.'s appointment this morning and to drive them wherever they want to go. Turns out that not only is a hot breakfast available every morning but dinners are offered Monday through Thursday.  Now we find out that lunch is served Monday through Thursday.  This place just keeps getting better!! We are so incredibly blessed with the service and abundance of friends that we have met so far.  Definitely people that we will remember for life. 

 

I am in awe of medical workers.  At times I can only imagine what an underrated job it can be.  You are dealing clearly with people who are sick or have issues.  After all, the medical field is full of SICK PEOPLE which is what it is all about.  Yes there are NOT SICK people as well but all those whom we have encountered deal with sick to the gravely ill type.  It takes a special person to be able to deal with those whom you know will not make it.  On the same hand dealing with those who are very ill and do make it must be a feeling of what I can imagine as being beyond pure joy.  Knowing that you have helped someone to keep their life .... it is impossible to fathom for me.

 

To all the MEDICAL WORKERS who are often on the receiving end of nasty words from sick patients and those who have lost their enthusiasm about life THANK YOU.  Because of the many doctors and the donor  my brother has been given a second chance. I am a strong believer in second chances and in many cases third ones.   Although there is still a long road of recovery he has life because of  the hard work of others.  The THOUGHTLESS acts of the organ donor is the reason that my brother is still alive.  I will forever be a cheerleader for organ donation.  I wish the donor family knew how well their loved ones liver is doing.  I don't know if knowing that someone else has life and has benefited because of your loved one is a settling thing or not.  Seems weird... one looses their life and another has a chance at it.  Kind of oxy-moronish.   Our hearts are with those who are still waiting for an organ transplant and their families.  We can only hope that they have the "MIRACLE EXPERIENCE" that we have. 

 

So that being said, we continue to be thankful and appreciative of what we have.  From friends who have reached out to give us their thoughts to the sweet lady named Agnes who mopped his hospital room floor and the newspaper lady in the ICU waiting room who said   "The Angels are here" our hearts are warm with joy, love and HOPE.

 

Here's to Angels continuing to Surround  You!

 

 

Released from HOSPITAL!

Today Chip was released from the hospital.  Since he is doing so "WELL" they wanted to move him so that he could continue to 'heal' and to have less risk for the possibility of  hospital infection.  I dropped the children off at their first day of Kindergarten and then headed for Durham.  I had to be back by 4:15 this afternoon.  That meant when I finally got there I had about one hour and ten minutes to get the extended stay place checked out and make sure that every possible thing was handled that I could do.

 

After falling in love with the front desk people and checking out his actual room I bolted over to the hospital where no less than five Doctor's were in his room and many were lined up at the door.  So many discharge papers and so many lists of "DO THIS" and "Don't Do That's".

 

We are still amazed, happy, blessed, surprised, giddy and all other "GOOD" words that this has happened so fast and gone so well.   Normally a minimum stay for a liver transplant patient is "9" days.  The 29th marks the 7th day (which was the day he went in and surgery didn't technically start until the 30th in the wee hours of the morning).  

 

Sheeewwwwwww..............................so we do what the Doctors (emphasis on PLURAL)  say and we take the anti-rejection meds RELIGIOUSLY.  We don't mess with the blood sugar levels and insulin is our new best buddy... well besides "STEWIE".  Nothing else matters if we don't keep Stewie happy.

 

The extended stay facility is in the middle of everything.  Shops, restaurants, you name it... it is near.  We couldn't have lucked out more on this.

 

As of right now (12:34 am) on August 29th I can only hope that he is sound asleep and getting some of that rest that he never got in the hospital.  I get to get out of bed and make new rounds of banana breads and baked goodies for the hotel staff and the housekeepers who will be taking care of them while they are there.  You just have to make sure everyone "FEELS THE LOVE".  We have certainly felt it with all the outcome of support and love.  What a joy it has been to receive messages, texts and notes during this time.

 

Thank you for 'SHARING THE LOVE".

 

Angels on your pillow ----- 

MIRACLE MAN Update

The Doctors are very happy with the progress so far.  We are too.  We remain optimistic that things will still go well.  We realize that just because we have had a number of good days it doesn't mean that things can't "TURN ON A DIME".  We are doing everything the Doctors say and listening to every word.  There were probably no more than 12 Doctor's who came to see him today.  "STEWIE" is doing well.  We can only hope for a continued happy healthy and getting used to his new "HOME" Stewie.

 

Monday Night Chip slept for about 3 hours which is the longest period of sleep since last Tuesday night (the night before he went in  which he didn't know then about it).  The Doctor's are talking about releasing him on Wednesday maybe.  He will then go to an extended stay facility for about 30 days so he can be near the hospital should anything happen.

 

One of Chip's buddies from High School called him today and they talked forever.  They were thick as thieves back in the day and they laughed for a long time.  It's nice when you can reconnect with an old pal and just pick up right where you left off.  Here's to old friends who always come back into your life at the right time!

 

To continued recovery, health and a happy new liver.....we remain optimistic and blessed that this has gone the way it has and pray that it continues to do so.

 

Thank you again for your prayers and thoughts!

Angels on your pillow.

Ann

OUT OF ICU -- First Night not too Great

Chip has not had any sleep since he woke from surgery Thursday evening the 23rd of August.  Apparently the steroids along with the protein levels in the body coupled with the fact that he has just undergone MAJOR surgery all combine for this.

 

I got back to Charlotte yesterday around 5:30 pm.  (Saturday August 25th).  Not long after walking into the house the nurse called me and told me that Chip wanted to speak to me.  I told her OK and that I would call him on his cell phone.  I called and he didn't answer.  I tried again and he didn't answer.  The nurse calls me back and tells me that he didn't want to speak to me that he wanted me to come into his room.  I told her I was in Charlotte and I wouldn't be back till Sunday.  She said OK and that she would tell him.  He told her that I was lying and that I was 'hiding from him'.  He also said that his cell phone was ringing with different numbers calling and that I had taken everyone's cell phone.  He finally got so frustrated he told the nurse just to tell me that "I won... meaning Ann had won the game" and I could stop hiding from him.  His confusion is often weird.  He seems to be telling stories from VERY EARLY in his childhood which, according to Dad, are accurate.  He is still extremely emotional and wants to "FIX" everything.  He has said things that I think are truly from his heart and has spoken about things that I think may have been weighing on his heart for many years.  It is sad, sweet, relieving, and many other things. 

 

When Aunt Jean walked into his room today he totally went into tears.  Aunt Jean is the Aunt that everyone deserves.  She is the Aunt that makes every niece and nephew feel like 'he or she' is her favorite.  EVERYONE DESERVES AN AUNT JEAN.  We are just lucky that WE  have her.

 

I got to speak to the Transplant Doctor on the phone because Chip had made everyone leave the room to go have lunch.  I happened to call when the Dr. was in there and he let me listen to what he had to say and then she spoke to me ear-to-ear to repeat what I had missed.  When she was leaving I heard Chip tell her to "Go save someone else" and thank you for "SAVING HIM".  It was truly touching. 

 

All levels are where they want them to be and we are moving along.  We know that what has been experienced thus far is NOT THE NORM. 

 

I told Chip that Mom (Our Mother) was working overtime in heaven and apparently she was one of the favorite angels as she and many others are taking care of him.  I turned around and my dad was standing there and had a tear in his eye.  I said "Yep, your mom is working overtime up there along with many others". 

 

He then told me that last night when he would close his eyes he would hear my voice.  He would open them and then he would look in the mirror and see mom.  He thought in his mind that he was feeling like he did back in January when his ammonia levels got so high (because his liver was truly starting to fail).  In January he was in ICU for about 5 days and thankfully doesn't remember a thing. 

For all the confusion that he has there are 'sane' moments where he speaks clearly and is not as emotional.

Still tweaking the medicines and hoping that he will eat more.  He is nervous about eating cause he doesn't want to get sick.  The physical therapist came in and got him up and he walked around a little.  He felt very light headed and weak.  He sat for about two hours. 

We can tell that he is coming back cause he doesn't stop teasing the nurses and asking them how mad he has made them.  Still he can remember everyone who is in his room and what procedure they did. 

Here's to another night (A GOOD ONE with sleep for the patient) and a better tomorrow... we still COULDN'T be more blessed.  If you don't believe in miracles jump on our journey and then you certainly will!

Night......

(Sorry for tpos...my eyes just can't re-read).

 

 

Correction --- 10 1/2 Hours of Surgery

DAY 1 AFTER SURGERY.

 

Doctor's are very happy.  They are continuing to work on the medicine levels as the liver continues to start working at full capacity.   Closely watching blood sugar as most transplant patients end up with full blown diabetes.  The level of steroids they are giving is pretty large and making Chip quite loopy.  He could be the star of one of the 70's Peace Love and Mankind shows cause he seriously acts like he is best friends with some substances that are not legal.  This makes him very sensitive.  He can be telling you a story one second and laughing and the next he is very teary-eyed.

 

He sat in a chair for 3 hours and didn't complain at all about it.  However, at the talk of possibly taking insulin shots every day his world started to melt.  Figure that one out.

 

He ate three Popsicles and thought they were the best tasting things in the world.  I videod it although I am not supposed to picture or photgraph anything due to the machinery being used in the ICU and I don't know how to dub out what he was saying which was funny as can be.  With all the drugs his talk has been quite colorful at times.  Thankfully he is well liked and his words are taken with little or no attention.  He can, however, tell you every Dr.'s name that has walked in and whether they are married or not.  He knows everyone who has entered his room down to Agnes who cleans and mops his room.  Jim did the pick line, Jeff was morning nurse so on and so forth.  It is interesting how he is remembering all the details.  He tells everyone the details are for his 'book' that he is writing.  Now that would be some interesting reading.

 

There was a lock down on the floor and he was all alarmed about that.

 

When the anesthesiologist asked him about his pain he said:

 

 "Now, Dr., your pain level would be a 9 if you had this done but my pain level is a 7"...a solid 7.  The Dr. said OK so mine will be a 9"?  Chip said   "Yes".  The Dr. said "Why?" and Chip said "Well, look at you.  I am three of you and I am not nearly as big as I used to be.  You are slender and in shape but you are too small so if the truck got you then you would hurt more and I am sorry for that cause you are a Dr. and a whole lot smarter than me". 

 

The Dr. smiles and sort of laughs.  Chip looks him straight in the eye and points his ET finger at him (The finger that the oxygen levels are being recorded on which has a bright orange light) and says "Now I have made you mad so are you going to take the liver back"?  The Dr. says "No, you can still have it, it seems to be quite happy with you". 

 

See, sometimes things are happy with their second owners!!

 

 

DAY 2 AFTER SURGERY.

 

Jeff is the lucky nurse for the day.  He has gotten Chip special chicken broth which Chip will tell you that it is the 'cheap brand' and Popsicles.  The Popsicles are going to boycotted  pretty soon though unless someone goes to the 7/11 and gets him the sugar-free ones. He much prefers the sugar-free over the real sugar ones.

 

He sat in the chair for a number of hours earlier. 

 

After Chip learns all about Jeff's life and asks him questions that embarrassed him (Jeff)  to death he gets him back out of bed to sit up. 

 

He slept NONE last night so  that means that when he woke up Thursday evening at 10 pm that he has been awake ever since.  Apparently the medicines are causing this. 

 

He is happy that he is not cold.  He now gets warm again which is totally his 'old' self.  

 

Looking to maybe move into a room later today (Private room) which will be nice, however the ICU staff has been the best we have ever seen. 

 

I am back in Charlotte until tomorrow and then I will go back to Durham.  I just got a call from the nurse who said that Chip wanted to talk to me.  I called his cell because he has talked the nurses into letting his cell sit on the bed right beside him but he won't answer my call. The nurse calls me back and tells me that he said for me to come into the room and see him.  I tell her that I am back in Charlotte and that I can't.  He said "Tell her to get back up here, I can't believe she left me". 

 

Everyone who is young and who enters the room is asked about their parents.  Chip tells the person to "Make it right with your parents.....you want them to know that you appreciate them and no parent should ever have to see their child like my dad has had to see me".  It has made a few of the people really stop and think. Then when they leave he says "Now, you do what I tell you ok?" 

 

Hopefully BENADRYL can be given later to help sleep.  If this occurs then a whole floor will be very happy.

 

Thank you again for your comments and words and messages.... aain they mean so much and help to give us strength and push on.  We are still amazed at how well this has been going and don't want to be greedy but we sure do hope it continues.... Forgive Our Greed please!!! 

 

****************************TO BE CONTINUED***********************************

We are OUT OF SURGERY!!

Wow... what a difference  7   10 1/2 hours of surgery can make:

 

Thursday August 23, 2012   --continued --

 

6:00 am  -- Newspaper lady came bye & said "THE ANGELS ARE TAKING OVER"

 

7:00 am  -- Update -- "All is still going along well".

 

9:38 am -- Update -- "Still moving along".

 

11:28 am -- Update -- "Finished".  Moved to the Consult Room.

 

CONSULT ROOM WITH DR. RAVINDRA

 

Donna, Dad (Bob) & Ann are in the room ---

 

Surgery (under knife) went VERY WELL.  Since Chip is a large man and is so sick it took a while to get things arranged.  Liver was as good of a match as it could be.  Due to the resistance of the original liver the portal vein was clogged.  Only one unit of blood was given during the procedure. 

 

Next step:  keep scanning the abdomen for blood flow.  One in twenty have issues.  If an issue arises (NOT EXPECTED) then he immediately goes back on the donor list but becomes #1 on the NATIONAL DONOR LIST. 

 

ICU for about two days.

 

Complications usually occur in the first few weeks.  (they don't necessarily show up immediately).  Rejection of the liver is within the first 3 to 6 months.

 

Clearly must be VERY CAUTIOUS.  After the first year the life expectency is very good.  The liver starts working slowly.  About 30 to 40 pounds will be shed in the next two weeks.

 

It will take months to rebuild the muscles.  Fluid will no longer have to be drawn off him.  Feet will stay swollen for a month because protein levels have been so low.  He wil be puffy for a few days to a week. 

 

The liver can not be donated to someone else.  It gets ONE EXTRA BODY chane chance and then it is done. 

 

The above is just what was taken from the notes that I made from the consultation.  It may not all be EXACTLY as the Dr. said but it is close.  Sorry for typos.  We are now on recovery ICU floor waiting to go see him. 

 

When I first walked into see Chip last night I said "It's a fine night for a liver".  So far.... it has been.  Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.  We need them and appreciate them.  Also, AGAIN, we realize and do NOT take for granted how this process has worked in our favor with very few odds against us.  While we are sorry for the loss of the donors life we are ever so grateful for their choice to be an organ donor.  BLESSINGS ARE IN ABUNDANCE --- Angels on your Pillow --  Next step is to see Chip and then speak to the social worker.  I then need to locate housing in the area.  It's a good issue to have as we thought we had a few months to do this homework but it will be done.

 

Again, many thanks for your love and support!

 

The Entire Bryant Family

 

A new Liver for CHIP

Today was not the day we thought we were going to get a liver....however HIS plans were different for us. Around 9:40 am this morning my brother CHIP called the Dr. because his knees were hurting him so. He wanted pain killers for his ailing knees and looks like he will be getting a liver instead. He has been on the liver transplant list OFFICIALLY since July 20th. On Tuesday August 14th he was told that he was # 1 on the list for O type blood & # 4 overall for DUKE. Of course with this many other things go along and I am not privy nor do I understand all of them. I am updating this to try to be informative of our journey which was started January 1, 2012. What is written is about OUR experience and what we have been told by our Dr.'s & nurses. What I do know is that the wait that we have endured is ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE NEAR what many others have had to suffer through.  Our blessings are overflowing and we know it.  I think of my friends Glenda & Julia and their many many months of waiting for their loved ones liver.  Their patience was tried much more than ours has been.  While we know there are still many days and hurdles to get through we understand and realize that our process has not been nearly as grueling as others have had.  We can only hope that somehow some way others can get what we have gotten.... A MIRACLE thus far.

 



 Heath (Graduate & my nephew) & Chip (my Brother)

 

 

Time Line of Today Wednesday August 22:

9:40 am call from Dr.'s office gets a "Hey, we might have a liver for you... stay close to your phone".

11:50 am call from Dr.'s office saying "Don't eat or drink anything".

3:00 pm call from Dr.'s office saying "Looks like an ideal match, the donor will be off life support soon so once this occurs we will check things out further and call you back"

4:00 pm call from DUKE Dr.'s office saying "COME TO DUKE.

4:10 pm Chip & Donna pull out of driveway for Duke Medical.

6:30 pm Arrive at Duke. Admitted, Tons of paperwork done, samples of anything and everything you can think of are taken. Meeting with the anestheologist and the post ICU Surgical Doctor.

7:43 pm Taken to X-ray.

8:02 pm Returns from X-ray.

9:00 pm Liver arrives at Duke from Wake Forest Medical via Med Life. 

Thus far they are saying that the liver will be put in around midnight with the knowledge that at any point in time they could change their mind due to medical reasons.

9:15 pm Dad and Ann arrive.  We find his holding tank and visit. 

11:00 pm Now Surgery will be between 1 and 2 am.

 

Thursday 8/23/2012

 

12:19 am Chip taken to prep by Mr. Bill.

12:26 am Mr. Bill comes to get Donna to go & see Chip.

1:33 am Donna came to get Heath, Alesia & Christina. They are now saying they will take him back in about 30 minutes.

1:36 am Heath, Alesia & Christina return.

2:08 am Anestheologist arrives. Donna returns to waiting room. Were told that we would be notified once first incision made.

3:05 am Blankets delivered to waiting room. NO WORD yet.

 

4:20 am Operating Room called and they haven't started yet.  Have been doing some 'REPOSITIONING'.

 

4:50 am Reception area open so we check in again and get new badges.

 

5:00 am Receptionist comes by and says that she got a call..."All is still in progress and moving along". 

 

5:10 am  Our area in the waiting room appears to look like a war zone.  Bodies everywhere.

 

Unfortunately I couldn't get all bodies in the photo.

 

 

 

TO BE CONTINUED...........