If you can spare a good thought, this is Tim. Not my husband Tim but my cousin Father Tim. (Oh we do have fun with this...) After 540+ days on the transplant list, the last 117 of them spent in the hospital, he was awakened this morning to the news of a possible heart.
After a long day, it was decided that the heart was a healthy one and that he was a good match. Surgery started just before 7PM.
It will be a long night for him, his wife and family and the surgeons.
While we all wait, filled with hope, we cannot forget there is a grieving family who has made an incredibly generous gift. Remember them, too.
Tim's faithful sidekick Wilson was bouncing with excitement at this morning's news.
So hoping for a good outcome. Recovery is rugged but I bet he'll think it's worth it. And how typical of you to remember the donor and their family who made this huge gift.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is always something that really hits home to all transplant recipients: that someone died so that they could live.
DeleteWe must reframe this one! Someone was dying anyway, and that's sad, but they also left a beautiful gift behind. -Kate
DeleteI hope all goes well and that he makes a rapid recovery.
ReplyDeleteThey are closing him up now and he is stable.
DeleteAll good wishes for favorable, remarkable outcomes for your cousin, family, and medical team. And enduring gratitude for the donor and family, too.
ReplyDeleteBonnie in Minneapolis
Thank you.
DeleteJust copy what Boud said---- every word!
ReplyDeleteThis mindfulness is not the exception to the rule. There is such an awareness of that other family.
DeleteDon't float away, Wilson. I hope the surgery has an excellent outcome so Father Tim can go on Fathering for years. Before my mother's funeral, a nun walked in and signed the guest book. My siblings and I had no idea who she was. I sidled over and was then able to tell them, It's Jim's sister the Sister. Jim was our late brother-in-law.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
LOL.
DeleteA heart transplant?? It certainly doesn't get bigger or more serious than this. Don't know him, but I know you and I pray he makes it Debby. I can't wait for an update. 🙏
ReplyDeleteThe surgery is done and he is stable.
DeleteGosh, hoping for the biggest positive, that it all goes well and recovery isn't too demanding. As you say, thankful thoughts to the family who lost someone and yet still reached out to help someone else.
ReplyDeleteI am an authorized organ donor. so many people die while waiting on that list. If anything I have can change the life of another, I give it.
DeleteWishing the best of luck to Fr Tim, and sending up much gratitude to the donor family for their generosity.
ReplyDeleteYes. I think everyone who loves Tim feels profound gratitude right now.
DeleteI hope everything goes smoothly for him. What an incredible gift the donor family has made.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine the pain that comes with making a decision like that. I can also not imagine denying someone a chance at life.
DeleteHope all goes well for the Other Tim. A friend had the same procedure and kept a friendship with his donor's family.
ReplyDeleteI wonder where the Wilson started? Another friend has a Wilson...but that one is an empty coconut shell!!
He was in the Tom Hanks movie, Castaway.
DeleteAlso the brand of the basketball, as I recall. Was so sad when Wilson was lost after drifting away from the raft. I cried.
DeleteYou are correct.
DeleteBest of luck. Oddly enough, we watched an old episode of DOC last evening. It involved a transplant.
ReplyDelete*cue Alannis*
DeleteFather Tim has a wife? How?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a good outcome and complete healing!
He is an Episcopal priest. The Americsn anglican. It was where I belonged.
DeleteFingers crossed and let us know. It is almost or is, routine surgery now.
ReplyDeleteIt is. Crazy how far we have come...and now anti science is trying to undo many of those advances.
DeleteYes of course I will hope for all the best and every good outcome. May the donor's family find some peace knowing that a heart that beat in a person they loved will sustain another life.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that my Aunt, as Tim's mother, is filled with profound gratitude at the pain filled sacrifice of the donor's mother.
DeleteI hope everything went well for your cousin.
ReplyDeleteSeems to have, at least so far.
DeleteHmmmm ... Fr. Tim ... shades of a place called Mitford! Jan Karon's series and I have read them all!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the surgery has been successful and, hopefully, healing will be worry-free!
I read those books too.
DeleteGreat thanks for the donor and their family, giving so others can live. And prayers and good wishes to Fr Tom for a healthy recovery and outcome. What a special and hopeful time.
ReplyDeleteMy friend's grandson went on the heart transplant list a few weeks after his birth. It was such a struggle for her family during the year he waited. You just cannot pray for the death of another child. You can only pray for your child to live. It was a hard time. I tried to reassure her that no one was praying for a death. Death happens. And from the other side, when my sister in-law died unexpectedly it was such a comfort to our family that she was able to be a donor to many others.
By the way, Baby Mikey is now known as Super Mikey and started kindergarten this year. Best Wishes Tim!
I love a happy ending!
DeleteGlad to hear that the surgery was successful and Father Tim is stable. Hope recovery goes smoothly and he will finally be able to get out of the hospital. Much thanks to the organ donor and their family.
ReplyDeleteHe has been there such a long time.
DeleteI read a book about a heart transplant patient suddenly having many traits, and cravings for foods and drinks, that the donor had, and for the donor's family, whom she met, this was a bittersweet and healing outcome. I'm glad to hear Tim is doing well, and to think how much more he'll enjoy his daily life with a properly working heart. -Kate
ReplyDeleteYou know, I read about that a long time ago.
DeleteSending hopeful wishes for all concerned.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeletePrayers for Father Tim and all his family plus the donor family and donor who so generously and kindly offered his/her heart.
ReplyDeleteHope the news today is good news.
Hugs!
As good as can be expected, as far as we known.
DeleteBest of luck to Father Tim, what a long ordeal. Here's hoping for good news.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a long ordeal indeed. Tim's older brother had the same condition. He died.
DeletePrayer of healing and peace for ALL those connected to this event. 🙏🏼
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly.
DeleteSo grateful for people who donate organs, blood, and tissue...and for those who practice medicine! Here's hoping for a good outcome!
ReplyDeleteSo far, everything seems to be going as expected.
DeleteI know several transplant recipients - here is to the gift keeping him going! (a girl that I grew up with recently had her 25 year "new heart" birthday - she has since even had a baby - how amazing is that?)
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing.
DeleteEveryone has a story
ReplyDeleteTruth.
DeleteSending the very best wishes to the other Tim! 💗 And btw- I’m sorry for being absent in comments section, but I’ve been faithfully reading your posts😊
ReplyDeleteHappy Autumn!🍂 xo, Rigmor
Oh goodness, Rigmor. I am glad you are out there. No comment needed.
DeleteAnd also - I’m sorry grateful for every person who is a donor. I’m hoping everyone checks that off on their driver’s license! I mean.. why not? It would be an honor to know my misfortune/death could save one or many other lives. -Rigmor
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly my question...why wouldn't anyone designate that?
DeleteSending good vibes to other Tim and family.
ReplyDeleteI have been waiting to hear. I hate to bug. They all have their hands full.
DeleteKeeping watch here, Debby! Hoping for fantastic outcome.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I am a little concerned that I haven't seen any more updates, but I am sure they are exhausted after a sleepless night, and they have more important things atm.
Delete