Tuesday, Oct. 14th updates

Dan is making so much progress and getting stronger each day, so it was a surprise to everyone that his heart went back into afib and when the OT tried to get him to stand up, he passed out 3 times. They got him back to bed and comfortable, and the transplant team and cardiologists examined him, they ordered an EKG and ABG (arterial blood gas test -- hope you're googling all these medical terms). The doctors are unsure why he passed out, but they think it's because Dan's body being so weak it is unable to tolerate the afib. They increased his beta blocker med (Coreg) and his heart returned to sinus rhythm this evening - yay! There is a good possibility Dan will need to have a heart procedure called a Cardiac Ablation in the future, that will correct the afib problem, but they don't want to do this now since Dan is still weak and recovering from the 4 other surgeries he's had in the past 2 months. Dan's uncle had afib and underwent Cardiac Ablation with great results.

Despite being in afib or abnormal heart rhythm, the doctors asked PT to come back this afternoon to try to get him up again for therapy, and this time he did not pass out. They took it slow, and Dan was able to walk with a walker and the PTs' help, then sit in a wheelchair and go for the first time to the Rehab area and work out in their gym. He loved it! He lifted light weights, played "dodgeball" with the therapist using an exercise ball, and other activities. He also fed himself all 3 meals today for the first time. The Rehab doctor did another eval to see if Dan is ready for moving over to Rehab full time, he thinks when Dan's heart is more stable and when there is an opening (they only have room for 7 patients at a time), Dan will be next, possibly the end of this week. Yippee!

God sure is the "Alpha and the Omega" (Rev. 22:13 NIV) - He knows the end from the beginning, rather He knows why things happen before they happen, in this case, when we couldn't figure out why in the world the doctors moved Dan to the 7th floor on Sunday and then back to the 3rd floor Intermediate Care on Monday, God knew Dan would pass out 3 times on Tuesday (today) and all the caregivers on the 3rd floor know us very well now and were right there on hand to provide the best care for Dan. If we were still on the 7th floor (no transplant nurses and a non-lifting floor, meaning they might not have been able to lift Dan back up to bed), who knows what might have happened.... so if your circumstances make no sense to you, think about Dan's episode today, and remember God is your "Alpha and Omega".

Loving God's amazing grace,
Debbie and Dan