After a long anticipated wait, we received a phone call on June 7th at 14:08 informing us that a donor offer for double lung transplant had been accepted by the St. Louis team. The lungs are the last organs removed and survive out of the body for a mere four hours. Given that, OR timing for both donor and recipient is planned down to the minute with minimal deviations allowed.  Will was taken to the OR at 10:00 AM on June 8th for his preparation and at 11:48 the incision was made starting his clock. The donor lungs arrived around 16:00 and transplant began. As the new lungs were being sewn in, we were allowed to see Will’s lungs up close and I was able to hold the struggle of my son’s past life in my very hands. His new lungs successfully inflated, he came off bypass and transplant was  completed just after 23:00. The surgeon sat with us and explained Will’s ups and downs which seemed minimal.  He described Will’s new lungs as “beautiful.” 

While he is the ICU, the next several days are critical for Will . Today he progresses toward the first major milestone which is being removed from the ventilator so he can learn to breathe with his new lungs. The iv antibiotic and anti rejection line up is intense and will transition to another slate at the one week mark. 

Since Friday especially, all of my emotions have been wrecked and reloaded. The joy from my perspective and the pain from the donor family combine to make a remarkable possibility. I speak for Will, my entire family immediate plus extended and myself to express gratitude for the love we have and continue to experience. Last night, I was able to listen to his lungs for the first time. In a few days, he will have the same opportunity which will leave us both speechless.