Post Transplant Day 1

Before transplant Ben and I talked about what he wanted shared and how he wanted to document his transplant.  We decided we would give  daily updates via posts and pictures to our social media to keep friends and family updated. We know people care and are following Bens transplant journey.  We also know by sharing Ben’s experience it will help increase awareness about transplants and the blessings of organ donation. 

For those that have found our blog by searching transplants etc. We hope our sharing Bens experiences will be of help to you.  We know we are grateful to the information we have found via the internet of others experiences and the insight it has given us. 

We are also going to share something Ben says each day... as a little Quote of the day. 

Yesterday afternoon Bens breathing was so good they removed the ventilator and he was awake and talking.  This was a huge milestone for him to have the ventilator removed the same day his transplant was finished. He is in a LOT of pain. He is still in the ICU.  Lincoln and I are taking turns sitting with him 24/7.  The ICU has a rule that when they have shift change all visitors must leave.  This is because they discuss patients with the incoming nurse and you can hear a lot of conversation from different beds in the ICU because of close quarters.  This rule helps to protect the privacy of each patient.  Shift change is from 7:00-8:00 am and 7:00-8:00 pm. Lincoln and I are doing shifts.  He covers the night and I cover the day.  So I typically come in around 9:00 a.m. and Lincoln goes home to sleep.  He returns around 9:00 p.m and I go home and sleep.  We feel having someone with him is important because you are the best advocate for your family member. We have always made sure we were aware of any treatment he is receiving and the reason why, especially when Ben himself is not at his fullest mental capacity. 

Today they got him up for the first time and he sat in a chair for over an hour.  It was quite a feat for him to get up.  It involved a lot of helpers and a lot of pain for Ben. 

Quote of the day from Ben...

“I am very very beyond blessed.”