Shands visit 2-24-09

Vernon had a routine check of his heart at Shands this week. Walking past a plywood construction fence that has been decorated by visitors and patients, this artwork caught my eye. I bet you can guess why - the hearts! Plus I like what it says, "Somethings I love..."
Here are some of the CICU nurses we saw Monday evening. We always get such positive response from them and it keeps us coming back for more. They tell us they really appreciate seeing a former patient looking so healthy. Notice the container of candy Vernon is holding?

This is how Vernon looked at noon Tuesday as he rested after the heart biopsy and other tests of his heart's function. The benadryl they gave him to relax definitely made him relax and sleep for several hours. Wednesday we learned the results of the biopsy - zero rejection, which is good as it can be. Also, the arteries of his heart are clear and the squeezing action is great.

Sleeping Beauty opened his eyes and looked at me.

Before leaving Gainesville to return home Tuesday evening, we were able to meet Larry & Renae, who had arrived in town for his heart biopsy the next morning. They live near Charleston, SC, and we haven't seen them for a year, since the reunion Shands hosted last February. We spent a couple hours talking and got to eat together before leaving for Orlando. I held the camera to get this picture of us. Renae crossed her eyes on purpose to be silly.

Dinner with heart transplant friends

Saturday evening, Feb. 7, we enjoyed being with some heart transplant friends. Next to Vernon is Chuck, and next to Chuck is Russ, then Charlene. Chuck lives in Kissimmee, not too far from us and we've met him several times recently. But Russ & Charlene live in Fort Myers, which is at least 3 hours away. So we don't see them often. They let us know they would be in the area and proposed getting together with Chuck for dinner. We all got acquainted while at Shands waiting for transplant and it is very special when we can see each other again.

We ate at Longhorn Steakhouse and had a good time. We told our server the significance of our gathering, the 3rd anniversary of Chuck's transplant and of Vernon & Charlene being in their third year, too. She told the manager and he came to our table and asked some questions. Vernon invited him to sit down and he did. He shared with us that he'd been putting off having his heart checked, that his father had died of a heart attack. We certainly encouraged him to make the doctor appointment. He gave us his business card and I want to return soon to see him again. See this huge dessert Chuck ordered? He asked for help eating it and we had mercy on him. (smile) The manager comped this dessert and a sundae Charlene ordered.
One sad note: Chuck's wife, Cheryl was not with us because he's been forced to place her in a nursing home because she has Alzheimer's. Neighbors complained to authorities when she wandered to their house in the middle of the night. Chuck didn't know she had left. Just today he wrote that sometimes she just sleeps when he visits her, but other days she gives him lots of hugs and kisses. Today was one of those good days. Besides dealing with this challenge, our dear friend's kidneys have failed enough since transplant that he'll be evaluated soon at Shands for possible kidney transplant. I know he'd appreciate your prayers. He is raising their 12 year-old grandson, too.

Gift fromTina

When we met Tina for dinner (see previous post), she brought a gift bag of heart-shaped items, including the wall-hanging above, which is 2 hearts intertwined. Isn't it beautiful? I took it to my office to display this month, known as heart month because of Valentine's Day. It is also heart month for us because Vernon received the heart transplant. Below you can see part of my cubicle at work. I brought some heart items from home to add to the Valentines theme.

Dixie Crossroads

Sunday evening Vernon and I met Tina McKinnon, the wife of Vernon's heart donor, for dinner at a well-known local seafood restaurant in Titusville known as Dixie Crossroads. I held the camera to get this close-up picture of us before we went inside.

Then another guest take this photo for us. I like the close-up better, don't you?

This was Tina's first time to eat at Dixie Crossroads even though she's known of it all her life. She grew up in the area and remembers it was one of her mother's favorite places. She knew to order broiled rock shrimp and this photo shows her ready to enjoy them. Tina liked the idea of her first time to eat there was with us.

We enjoyed our server, Katrina, and she took this photo for us. Of course, we told her the significance of our being together, that Vernon received a heart transplant nearly 3 years ago and Tina's husband was the donor. Katrina said she hopes to be a radiologist and she seemed to appreciate what we shared with her.

Saturday afternoon Vernon and I visited his donor's parents, Bob & Esther McKinnon, in their home. We had a good visit with them, too, and I took this picture as Esther and Vernon shared a good-bye hug.

Three years ago today, (Feb.3) the McKinnon family gathered at ORMC in shock and grief over the sudden death of son/brother/husband, Steven. Because they made the choice to donate Steven’s organs, Vernon and I received a phone call at Shands 3 years ago tonight informing us that it looked possible that a good match had been found for him and he’d go to heart transplant surgery the following morning. Vernon is one of five patients who benefited from that family’s decision to share what they could in the midst of their grief. So we are celebrating 3 years since he received the heart transplant and that is why we chose to spend time with Steven’s parents and wife this past weekend. God has blessed us with a good relationship with them and I believe they are comforted somewhat in their loss. Please pray for their continued comfort and praise God with us for His continued good work in all our lives.