At heart clinic last week, we learned Isaac’s heart condition is unchanged, and all of his tests, labs and “numbers” look amazing!! We still marvel at how good he feels and are filled with gratitude that he can LIVE LIFE outside the hospital while he waits for his life-saving and life-changing surgery. He has stayed busy dog-sitting, blowing through his online schoolwork, and enjoying the nice weather on the scooter he got for Christmas!
We are about one week away from the 6 month mark on the transplant list! This is significant because the wait time we have been given is 6-12 months, so it feels like things are getting a little more “real.” Isaac is READY! He is ready to be free of the milrinone pump that limits his ability to be as active as he would like (though it is the very thing keeping ALIVE, feeling good, and at HOME). He is EXCITED to experience having a WHOLE heart for the FIRST time in his ENTIRE life! It is hard to imagine what kind of energy he will have. He misses playing ultimate frisbee, gaga ball, kickball, and rock climbing. He is most looking forward to learning to play competitive badminton, which has become especially popular in China in recent years.
The hardest thing for him is being limited in what he can do as a 17-year-old boy. The hardest thing for me is the wait…and not knowing when the heart will come. One day, we will be living life, doing all the things we have planned, fulfilling obligations and commitments, and then we will get a call and have to drop everything! In less than 24 hours’ time, we will learn of a heart that is a good match for Isaac, and then he will be in surgery, with his heart out of his chest and a new one being put in. This is a lot to take in, and it isn’t easy figuring out how to make plans and hold everything loosely.
We are thankful for friends and family who have been hard at work planning some cool COTA events to help provide fundraising assistance and support Isaac during this wait! We hope you will be able to join us for some of the fun! Be sure to check out the EVENTS tab on his page and SUBSCRIBE to get notifications as new events are being listed regularly!
Enjoy this photo of Isaac’s latest dog-sitting venture.:)
