June 26th:

The coins in life have two sides. 
One forced me as a parent to realize that my personal capabilities were outmatched for the matters at hand. The other forced a speciality group to embrace the challenge of an equal stranger. The result has proven that St. Louis was the best choice for Will. 
With every trauma comes healing. Treatment often is centered and measured around the most visible, the physical response. Having met and exceeded those initial standards, the shift towards mental healing has begun. During that 15 hour span of surgery, I focused on the sound of my son’s unique whistle, no doubt inherited gift from his grandfather. Hearing it again in real time indicates a peaceful state of mind is making its way back. My emotions continue to find balance. Absolutely stoic though it all, his have just begun to leak out, verbally and at times gushing but all the while positive.
 We are relieved to be back at our St. Louis “home.” All the iv therapy prior to transplant has resumed and Will now filters the new slate of medications through his body, spending energy as only he knows fit. Nights have not been restful yet as adjusting to a drastic change in environment takes time but we are managing through the transition.
 It is exceptional to watch your son have most of life’s things taken by disease, such a strong sense of character constantly reinventing himself from sports to robotics and finally his culinary flare, have the composure to tell a surgeon he is willing to take chance at a better life and then watch an entire transplant team in awe as he shattered the expectations. The only words that come to mind are truth and beauty. No more oxygen machine at night, no smart steps when walking in public places. Through the gift of organ donation, the newest version of Will is emerging.