David Foster aims to boost organ donation

"Music icon David Foster visited sick children in Toronto on Friday to help raise awareness of the need for organ donation." For over 20 years, David Foster has been raising awareness & funds for organ donation. The David Foster Foundation assists families with non-medical expenses.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2010/11/19/foster-organ-donation.html#socialcomments#ixzz16gg9oSPR


CBC News - Music - David Foster aims to boost organ donations

Happy Transplanniversary!

                       This is a photo of Michael, his wife, Dr. Cusimano, & I


Today marks the one month anniversary of Michael's heart transplant.  It was the 12:30 a.m. on October 27th that Michael was wheeled to the OR.  The heart arrived at 1 a.m. & surgery lasted until approximately 6:30 a.m.

The above photo was taken just after Dr. Cusimano told Michael that the matching donor heart was good & had him sign off on the surgery paperwork.  Dr. Cusimano is the same surgeon who performed my dad's hearth reduction and heart transplant in May, 1997.  He is a phenomenally skilled doctor with impeccable and very caring bedside manner.  He was very patient with all of our family's questions & really took time to explain things thoroughly.

Yesterday, Michael received the results of his fourth biopsy.  It came back with zero rejection and his prednisone to was reduced again to 15 mls, once a day [his third biopsy had mild rejection & his meds remained the same].  Michael also has some fluid around his heart, likely due to the fact that his new heart fills a smaller space than his original.  His ejection fraction was recorded at 60% [normal].

3 Hearts, 2 Lungs, 1 Goal

On November 13th, Brian Barndt, Kyle Garrett & Canadian Mark Black particpated in Wilmongton, North Carolina's Beach to Battleship Triathalon.  They dubbed themsleves The Tin Men.  Brian Barndt & Kyle Garrett are both Americans who recieved heart transplants.  Brian is also an award winner in the Transplant Games.  Mark Black is a Canadian who received a double lung and heart transplant.  Garrett ran the biking leg, Black was the distance runner, and Barndt competed in his favorite element: the water.

Obviously, transplantation doesn't need to slow one done...

The odd Michael connection here is that he & his family visited the Wilmington Battleship two years ago.  I'll be sure to post some photos of him beside the big guns : )

http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/healthteam/story/8607981/

Transplant A Success After Crash

                            The aircraft burst into flames after landing in fog

Birmingham Airport was shut November 19th due to a crash of a private aircraft that was carrying a liver for transplant to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The aircraft was traveling from Belfast to Birmingham.  Two men are recovering after the crash. The silver-lining is that liver was indeed transplanted successfully!

This brings me to reflect on the number of people it takes to pull together a transplant.  Aircraft personal are just two of the vast number.  My brother's heart was also flown in, to Toronto.  October 26th, 2010 was a stormy night in Ontario.  His transplant was delayed by three hours as the aircraft had diffiuculty with take-off.  With only an eight hour window to get the donor organ into a donor recipient, timing was tight.  Let's not foget the pilots who likely risked their lives to ensure Michael's organ arrived in time! Thanks xo



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11802997

Life from Death

Sadly, the teenage daughter of NHL Ottawa Senators' assistant coach, Luke Richardson, committed suicide at the age of fourteen.  In their time of grief, the family chose to donate Daron's organs soon after her death. Four people have benefited from transplants as a result.  Luke Richardson and family have given life in a time when their family has experienced death. Their thoughtfulness and generosity will never be forgotten by the four people who received her organs and their immediate and extended family members who still have their loved ones in their lives.  Just as I will always be thankful for the kind decision made by the donor families who are responsible for giving my father and brother their lives back.

Sadly, "organ donation in Ontario is low and it's even lower in the GTA, where four million eligible residents have not registered consent for organs and fewer than 550,000 have - slightly more than one citizen in eight" (Toronto Star, November 12, 2010).

Sign your organ donor card and register your wishes at http://www.giftoflife.on.ca/.

Signed, sealed & delivered

 It took me a while to realize that these were Dr. Cusimano's initials on my brother's chest.  He put them there after telling him that the heart was on the way & signing the paperwork.

At first glance, this appears to be a scribble.  However, upon closer inspection I realized that it was Dr. Cusimano's initials.  I suppose this is done to verify that you've got the correct patient in the correct OR!

Currently, Michael is going for weekly biopsies.  He's had two now & both came back with zero rejection!  Dr. Delgado reminded him that at some point he will have rejection.  This will likely be able to be managed with medications [they are a fine balance!].

Knitting Hearts

Yesterday, a lovely group of knitters gathered at the Knit Cafe in Toronto to knit hearts! We chatted organ donation, knit for organ donation, drank hot chocolate & ate quiche & croissants. It was a lovely morning/early afternoon. A special thanks to Robbie for helping co-ordinate & rounding up some fantastic & friendly knitters! All knit hearts will be donated to the Toronto General Heart Links Annual Craft & Bake Sale which is happening Thursday, November 18th, 2010.

Heart Links is fantastic group which supports recipients of heart transplants. In addition to sending out a newsletter four times a year, they co-ordinate a variety of events such as talks [i.e., physical activity & recovery] and social events like the upcoming Christmas party.

It was super fun to spend time with my mom in a fun & productive way. She also learned how to knit on four needles today. Woo hoo!

Welcome Home!

After picking up his medication from the hospital pharmacy, Michael was able to return home! The grand entrance happened around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 5th which was Day Nine post-surgery. The highlight of his first evening home was dinner with the family & a hot shower!

Prior to being released from the hospital, staff had to ensure he was well-versed in taking his anti-rejection medications. Along with information in the heart transplant manual [yes, there is such a thing!], Michael had to watch a video on accessing Easy Call [heart transplant staff/patient communication line] and demonstrate knowledge of administering his own medications.

Big plans for today...having the luxury of lounging at home! Shouldn't every Saturday allow that?

Big smiles : )

Post-Operative Days 1-5

Here is a photograph of the miracle boys!  It's the McBride father/son transplant team!

The last five days have been incredible!  Michael's recovery has been so inspiring!  Here's the lowdown:

DAY ONE - Thursday
A mere 30 or hours or so after receiving the transplant Michael sat up, with his legs hanging over the edge of the bed.  His breathing tube was removed the night before.  Hands & feet are warm.  Amazing!

DAY TWO - Friday
We arrived at the hospital to find Michael sitting in a chair!  Pre-transplant his original heart was pumping 1.4 litres of blood with each beat.  On Day One, it was pumping 4.3 litres of blood.  Today it was pumping 2.8 litres of blood with each pump.  With medication, his blood pressure was 110/71.  The doctors are happy with his progress.

DAY THREE - Saturday
Can you believe, he took a walk around the nurse's station?  Swan catheter removed.  Michael really seems to be motoring along with his recovery!  We have much to celebrate!

DAY FOUR - Sunday
Michael was able to be wheeled out of CVICU so he could see his children in their Halloween costumes.  A happy time for all!

DAY FIVE- Monday
Today Michael was moved to the 10th floor - the transplant ICU.  He is still receiving an intense level of care.  However, these nurses don't specialize in cardiac care, rather transplant in general - usually hearts, lungs, kidneys & livers.  His blood pressure was on the lower side - 103/63 without medication.  Michael was very cognizant & lucid tonight.  He was also very grateful for receiving the organ & having this life-saving opportunity [as we all are!].