Merry Christmas!!

Hi everyone! We're having a wonderful Christmas at home with family. We hope your day is as special as ours this year!

Brian is home!!

He was released on Friday. Now he's at home trying to relax and enjoy the holiday with his family. We're all so pleased!!

YAY!

Brian's doctor's decided not to drain any fluid during the biopsy monday because it has been receding so well on it's own. Today Dr. Torre confirmed that Brian is coming home Friday. We are all very excited to have him home!!

Today was a big day for Brian. He had a visit from two Houston Texans in his room. I'll let him share more info about that later since I don't know much about football.

Today was a great day!

-Jamie

Update

Tomorrow during Brian's biopsy they are planning on removing some of the fluid he's been retaining around his heart.

Almost Forgot!

Brian and his beloved Scout were reunited on a Friday night. It happened over at the Smith tower by the Christmas tree. Dr. Torre said he could visit , but not on the transplant floor. We don't want to bring dog germs to any of the other patients. Jamie and Chris were dog sitting for Jess and Scott, so they brought him up. (Jessica and Scott were passing out Megan's love gifts in Mexico) . Brian and Scout were both so overjoyed to see each other and it was so cute to watch. Merry Christmas!!!!!!!


Love, Kim

biopsies

Hello everyone,

Every Monday Brian gets a biopsy of his heart. The doctors can test this for rejection and change meds as needed. Biopsy I - no rejection (yeah!!!!!!) Biopsy II -- shows slight rejection (Boo!!!!). stay tuned for biopsy III - scheduled for Monday Dec. 15. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Please keep it up , all our prayers are being answered with blessings everyday. Brian is, in fact, a walking miracle.

Love, Kim

Update

Hi everyone, sorry it has been so long since we've updated. Brian is doing well. His pacemaker is making all the difference. He has been running all over the hospital complex and over to Smith and Scurlock towers to shop and eat out at the various restaurants. He was able to bid on and win some cool baskets in the Methodist silent auction (I thought any Christmas shopping was out of the question.) They do this every year for a charity event. He has really enjoyed leaving his hospital room after almost two months.

Love,
Kim

Update

Brian's swelling is going down and he is feeling better every day!

Update

Friday, Brian's heart-rate got too low for the doctors to be comfortable. They put in a new temporary pacemaker to hold him overnight and then Saturday morning they put in a permanent pacemaker.

Brian is recovering very well from his pacemaker surgery and already feels a little better than he has.

Update

The Pacemaker still hasn't come out. Brian has been experiencing some irregular heartbeats, swinging blood sugar levels and swelling of the arms and legs. Doctors assure us that all of this is to be expected as the new heart gets used to its surroundings.

He has been cleared to leave the floor in a wheel chair and maybe (we'll see if he can wear the doctors down) even have a visit from his favorite grand child Scout.

Brian had a very restful day today. He's still on high doses of steroids, and he is still lacking energy.

The new expected date of dismissal is Monday, but as you can see it changes regularly.

Biopsy Results

The results are in! There are currently no signs of rejection.

The Doctors do expect some rejection down the line as they decrease his prednisone dosage. Today's news is really good because even though he is already on somewhat decreased prednisone he is still not rejecting. The lower the dose with no rejection the better.

Tomorrow the pacemaker comes out, apparently it hasn't been working for several days but Brian's heart was doing fine without it.

The Doctors did find some stiffness in Brian's new heart. Apparently 1/3 of all transplant patients experience this. Some medicine will be required.

Update

Brian's biopsy will be tomorrow.

Today Kim and Brian attended a class about post transplant life.

Health Update

Brian is doing very well today. He walked further than he has since before the transplant and was able to look out the window in the hall. Today he met with his dietician and is learning more and more about his new post-transplant diet.

His indigestion and hiccup attacks are happening less and less. He is currently still on a diabetic diet and recieving insulin daily, but doctors are hopeful that his diabetes will go away as he is taken off certain medications.

He is still waiting on his biopsy, and doctors now say that he may be sent home as early as Wednesday. Cross your fingers!

Giving Thanks

This year Thanksgiving has been particularly meaningful for my family. We've been given the ultimate gift this year and we couldn't be more grateful. We celebrated in my dad's private hospital room with a delicious feast provided by my mom's wonderful friends, Joy Sanford, Stephanie Mason, Denise Harris and her mom. Watching my dad enjoy "normal" food again was something I'll never forget.

There are so many people we need to thank for helping us through this process. My Grandfather and my Aunts, Jeannie, Paula and Sharon and their families have been so helpful. Family friend's Kellie and Patrick Miles, Joy Sanford and Family, Brian Hughey and my dad's Tejas Materials family, his neighbors Jesse and Mike and the whole Fairway Crossing family have been so helpful, from doing chores to listening to us to coloring fun pictures for my dad's hospital room. We'd also like to thank everyone who visited, called, thought or prayed. Your love has meant so much to us.

So Far, So Good

As most of you know Brian was notified early Sunday November 23rd that a heart had been found for him. The heart was harvested at about 7 pm that night. Brian's surgery started around 10 pm and went on until around 2 am. At 3 am Dr. Lobe, the surgeon, reported that the operation was a success and that there were no complications.

Brian awoke and was removed from the respirator at 4 am, which was at least 8 hours earlier than expected. Later that day he stood on his own and has now resumed his daily walks with the physical therapist.

Brian remains heavily medicated at this point, and still slightly foggy. His doctors are hesitant to allow visitation. To keep him from rejecting his new heart, his immune system has been heavily suppressed. Children are currently not permitted to visit. We will update everyone if this changes.

Brian is currently still on a temporary pacemaker and IV. All other medical devices have been removed. He's scheduled to have a biopsy in the upcoming days to determine if he is rejecting. If he isn't he could be home as soon as Monday. His voice is weak due to the respirator tube so if you do speak to him don't be alarmed. He's having slight indigestion and oddly enough, frequent hiccup attacks, but other than that he feels pretty good.

Why a Recovery Blog?

Several loving family members and friends have asked for an easy way to recieve updates on my dad's condition following his heart transplant. Understandably, my mother, sister and I are a little hard to get ahold of by phone these days but I'm more than happy to oblige. I'll update this blog with all the information on how my dad is feeling and what the doctors are saying.

Since Brian is low on energy right now, it is hard for him to talk on the phone to everyone he loves so much. Fortunately, you can leave your well wishes and thoughts here as comments and Brian will read them and maybe respond if he is feeling up to it.

My family is so lucky to have so many people that care about us and we hope this blog gives you all the information you need.

-Jamie Hunt.