From The Heart (Heart Surgery - Adults)

Member Name: WormThatTurned

Product:	Heart Surgery - Adults
Date:	16/07/02 (71 review reads)
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Twelve months ago the outlook for my best friend Nicola and her family looked very bleak indeed.

She was just 19 but had been on the waiting list for a heart/lung transplant for almost seven years. Her condition was deteriorating rapidly.

She was on oxygen almost constantly each day, needed a wheelchair to get around and was having home care for her daily needs.

We all felt that we were losing a freind/daughter and from a personal point of view it was absolutely heart wrenching to see the effects this was having on her folks.

The organ donor situation was severely affecting the number of donor organs available for transplantation.

Despite everything against her, Nicola was always very positive that a suitable donor would be found and her determination was an inspiration to all around her, including the nurses and myself.

On 14 June last year, the transplant co-ordinator called to say that suitable organs had become available.

Obviously the family and myself were very anxious about the compatibility and had a very nervous wait at the hospital until late the next day, when Nicola went into the operating theatre.

The following hours went ever so slowly and upon speaking to her parents recently, they cannot even remember those hours. We wandered around, drank gallons of coffee and tried to get our heads around what was actually happening. By the afternoon the next day she was on ITU and very cautiously we were allowed to see her.What a traumatic few moments they were!

There were wires, drips, monitors and ventilators. Machines kept bleeping and at every noise i wondered if something bad was happening. But, within all the trauma, Nicola now had PINK lips, fingers and cheeks. Something that i hadn't seen for a long time and it brought a smile to my face and hope into my thoughts.

Her faith, prayer and pure determination had got her this far. Upon discussion with the transplant p
eople about the issues and details of the operation it was made known that the operation had been successful. I knew that there was a distinct possibility that it wouldnt be so that moment was one of the best of my life. It brought tears to my eyes watching Nicola's parents as they showed their reaction after years of agonising pain. They had put Nicola's life into that surgeons hands and he didnt let them down.

Unfortunately there were other families that i had met at the hospital who were not so lucky and sadly their loved one did not come through the operation. I was able to share my faith in one particular family and i hoped i was able to help them in their time of sadness.

I am very realistic about the future. We all know that Nicola is not out of the woods yet. There is still a long way to go, but with FAITH and prayer to help us, we are very optimistic about the future.

Well, Nicola spent over five weeks on ITU. After a slow recovery and many infections she was finally moved to the ward. Once there, Nicola progressed very well although her lungs were still giving her problems.

With a new heart and lungs Nicola was determined to make the most of her NEW LIFE. She began an exercise programme to build up her muscles. Gradual walks around the room soon developed into longer walks along the corridor. Two minutes on the exercise bike soon progressed to ten minutes. Up and down two steps soon became the whole flight. After eight weeks on the ward, Nicola was finally allowed home.

It was great to see her get home and around her usual surroundings and try to get normality into her life again. But what is normality?

For seven years, Nicola hadnt been able to do most things that a lot of us take for granted. Now, she is beginning to do things i never thought possible.

The hardest thing at the moment is trying to get her to slow down!!

She has this new lease of life and energy and continuall
y wants to use it.

As she sits and watches TV she is buzzing with excitement at being able to sing along to theme tunes and dancing away to the music and its incredibly infectious. I recently took her shopping to our local supermarket. For many years she has been pushed around in her wheelchair.

But on this occasion we compiled a shopping list in the afternoon and as soon as we got in the supermarket it was different. I kept looking around and couldn't see her. She would then appear from the next aisle with the biggest smile on her face and two tins of something. Into the trolley they went and off she went again.

Tears were streaming down my face with happiness at seeing her so happy and enjoying a boring old task like shopping and it really made me think at how lucky i am to be healthy. That day was wonderful, its very emotional for me to see Nicola enjoying her life and being active again and it has been for her parents too.

Her progress has been slow, but forward. I just hope and pray that she continues in the same vane and as she gets stronger and more confident, her life will progress. Nicola's life is changing each day as she gets stronger and stronger. She has her own exercise bike and treadmill and has designed her own daily exercise programme.

Seeing her enjoy her new life has been highly emotional for her parents too, for many years they had to help Nicola in so may ways but now she just gets on with things.

I know i am speaking for them too when i say i am overjoyed to see her given a second chance but also as she builds up her strength in her familiar surroundings i know i am speaking for them again when i say that i am eternally grateful to the doctors, nurses and physios for all their care. We will NEVER, EVER forget the donor family, for without them Nicola would not have been given this chance.

They made a very brave decision at a very sad time for them and for that decision they
made many people indebted to them for ever.

I dont know anything about them, who they are or where they are from, but from the bottom of my heart i say the biggest "THANK YOU" possible.

To anyone who is thinking about becoming an organ donor, PLEASE tell your loved ones and get your name registered today.

If you are on a transplant waiting list, PLEASE don't give up hope. Nicola taught me that.

We waited a long time, but it happened in the end.

Although, unfortunately we dont know anything about the donors family, i constantly wonder about them and what would be said if i was to meet them.

Who knows what the future holds, perhaps some time in the future they will contact the hospital and get in touch with Nicola. What a meeting that would be.

Anyways i thought i would tell you about Nicola's story whom i am so proud of in an attempt to bolster the faith of other family's out there who may be in the same predicament.

Miracles do happen every day and they can happen to you.

Never give up hope.

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I urge anyone who reads this opinion to visit this website

www.nhsorgandonor.net




Thanks for reading


WormThatTurned

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