Day One: March 25, 2011

I received the call from my transplant coordinator at around 2:00 am; they had found lungs for me!  It was surreal from the very beginning.   I told Jimmy and he reacted like we were on our way to the hospital to have a baby...running back and forth, trying to find clothes and think of things we may need.  I hadn't packed a bag because I fully expected to be on the list for quite some time.  I honestly thought that I would probably not make it until they found lungs; I was that sick at the time.  We woke Corey and Hannah and explained what was happening then we called their Dad so he could take care of the kids while I was in the hospital.  We called my daughters, Roslyn and Jessica, as well as my brother, Joe.  Jimmy called his kids, Jimmy and Jennifer. 
We got to the hospital knowing that the surgery may not go through.  There are many things that have to happen with the donar and the recipient before it is determined that they are a match.  I could have made it to the OR only to be told that the surgery was a no go.  God was with me and decided these lungs were meant for me. 
The surgeon, Dr. Van Berkle, flew to harvest the lungs and fly them back to Louisville personally.  I was finally taken to the OR which was full of people, all of whom introduced themselves and explained their role in the surgery.  I was strangely calm throughout everything.  I just was in shock that it was actually going to happen; whatever the outcome, it was out of my hands.
When I awoke in the recovery room, I remember Jimmy and a very nice, pretty nurse.  I knew I was full of tubes and such, but wanted the breathing tube out ASAP.  It really didn't seem too long before they were able to remove it and I could speak.  I have no idea what I may have said, but I was on so many painkillers, it probably was not anything important.
I vaguely remember being in a large recovery room for (I'm told) three days where I had a nurse all to myself.  The nurses at Jewish Hospital are phenomenal, by the way.  I seem to remember having visitors, but, other than Jimmy, I don't remember who.  I was then moved to 3 East which is the transplant floor at Jewish.  I'll continue my story in the next post.  Please give me feedback of what you think so far.
Becky