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.