Home is where the heart is (and the heart is home y'all!)

Home is Where The Heart is (and that Heart is Home Y’all!)


13 Days after Transplant and he is home!  The last couple of weeks have been such a blur, but Khadees was able to say goodbye to our healthcare team today and come home to a house of super excited little ones!  Allie’s voice screaming “Daddy!” as Khadees walked into the door will forever be etched into my brain as a happy memory.


The biopsy and heart cath from Wednesday showed that he is at a 1R (versus the 2R he had before).  They said a 1R is mild rejection or could even be inflammation, so they will continue the course of his current anti-rejection meds.  His medication regime is on another level, as it consists of many different medications, different doses, given at different times, and some only on specific days of the week.  Each meds comes with its own list of side effects, but most of all, the anti-rejection meds will suppress his entire immune system, which means he will have no defense to fight any illness.  So, we will have our masks on, phone alarms set, and pill box ready for the next 3-6 months.  Khadees will be on the highest doses of anti-rejection meds for the next 6 months, but will remain on many for the rest of his life.  The meds need trough levels drawn to ensure he’s taking the correct doses.  These meds can be adjusted frequently based on these labs.  If he does not take his meds, he will reject the heart.  Very plain and simple, he needs the meds to live.


He will have weekly biopsies, weekly lab and clinic appointments, and soon he will also begin cardiac rehab.  He is doing exceptionally well, but he still has specific sternal precautions since they had to crack open his sternum for surgery and it needs time to heal.  His range of motion for his arms/shoulders is very limited for now.  We will slowly work to improve his stamina.  He still cannot be alone or drive for the next 3-6 months.  But, each day that passes, we see him improve and know that so many good things are ahead of us.  


As he mentioned, there are good and bad days.  We are truly grateful to his donor, our hero.  Without this miracle, he would not have this chance at a second life.  This second life will come with many obstacles and challenges, but we are so thankful to have these new obstacles and challenges.  The unknown is scary, but we are thankful for the blessing that God granted us.


We are so thankful for all of the prayers, positive thoughts, text messages, words of encouragement, shoulders to cry on, gifts, meals, and donations our family has received.  I honestly don’t know where we would be without them.  The MealTrain meals have been a huge help to us as my mom has been here with the kids, taking on 3 young kiddos and their extracurricular activities.  I have been able to spend the majority of the time with Khadees at the hospital, while my mom has chased around our kiddos (on a newly replaced knee).  Having such a wonderful support system throughout this entire journey has been such a huge blessing.  I personally know there were moments that I felt like I was breaking, and I would receive a text message or message, sometimes from someone I hadn’t spoken to in ages, that would ground me and restore my faith.  Please know that even if we are late with responses, we are truly grateful for all of the support.





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