Stable, still waiting for lungs

Today was Randy’s 2nd day on ECMO and ventilator.  This morning he was trying to wake up, and breathe on his own.  The doctors decided they would prefer him calm, and let the machine do the work.  He was working against the machine, and his oxygen saturation was suffering because of it.  His numbers are good, his labs are good, he is ready for lungs.  The team who surrounds him …. they are nothing short of incredible.  He went into the hospital just a little over a month ago, and everyone at UT Southwestern has been caring and  extremely competent.  When he went into distress on Friday, every team member was there from the transplant team, and the critical pulmonary care doctors.  Their decision to put Ran on ECMO and a ventilator was made in order to avoid having to do it in an emergency situation.  His lungs were failing, they knew how hard he was struggling to breathe, so they decided to “bridge” into transplant.  I am still optimistic….Randy is strong, everything is functioning perfectly…except his lungs.  Tomorrow is Randy’s birthday….so all I want for his birthday is two pink healthy lungs.  If he can just get the organs….I know he would get through the recovery.  Every day, though, becomes more nerve wracking as we wait.  He is type 0, the most common blood type…. I don’t wish harm on anyone….but I want Randy to live.  I am so appreciative that everyone is praying, sending energy and love and positive thoughts.  Surely, with so much hope and love coming his way, organs will come in for him.  I carry my phone everywhere….even into the bathroom…I sleep with it at my ear….I am waiting for the call, the call that a match has been found.  What a birthday gift it would be for him to get lungs tomorrow!  They have to come soon.