An update about our friends' son and his miracle.

9 years ago

Early this month, I submitted a request for prayers and strong thoughts for the young son of some good friends. He had become suddenly ill, resulting in his major organs beginning to shut down. He was able to recover the function in everything but his 20-something year old heart. Just a few days after his admittance to the hospital, he was put at the top of their transplant list....and a heart suddenly became available.

My last update to you was that Michael was being moved from ICU to a lesser level of care and was doing well.

I know that you will be so happy to know that two days ago, he was discharged from the hospital and returned to his own apartment (near Vanderbilt Hosp.) with one or both of his parents as roommates for the time being.

He has gained weight, is eating like a horse, exercising regularly, regular heart biopsies indicate a low rate of rejection issues.

We have also learned that the donor was an athlete and that his heart was the best of the best. The man had taken care of his body in every way and was able to bequeath an extraordinarily vigorous heart to Michael, who had also been a healthy, active young man before his sudden illness.

I just wanted you to know the latest news.

Featured Answer

Texas_Gem

9 years ago

What an amazing gift for Michael!! Thank you for the update, I'm so pleased to hear he is recovering so well. Prayers for peace are going out to the donors family in their time of loss.

I hope some day they are able to learn that their sons heart saved another sons life.

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Comments (23)

PKponder TX Z7B
9 years ago
I'm glad to hear that he's doing so well!
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
9 years ago
What great news.
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happy2b…gw
9 years ago
Prayers, modern medicine, and the will to recover are amazing commodities. Yay for Michael.
OklaMoni
9 years ago
Awesome news!
Uptown Gal
9 years ago
Oh wow..what tremendous news. Bless that Dr. Prayers still in place for your friend that it just keeps getting better and better.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
Original Author
9 years ago
I'm guessing that the donor's family have been informed that this heart has been well accepted by the recipient and maybe other facts about Michael, too. It would certainly give the donor's family members some comfort, don't you think?

Michael will have a physical and psychological battle for the rest of his life, no doubt but he seems to be up for the challenges.
OutsidePlaying
9 years ago
Wow! Thanks for the update. It's so wonderful to hear Michael is thriving and back home.
socks
9 years ago
Perfect, absolutely perfect!
sleeperblues
9 years ago
That's wonderful news. So sad for the loss of life of the donor, but what a testament to him and his family for donating his organs, He lives on in Michael.
janey_alabama
9 years ago
Great news, thank you for the update.
Yayagal
9 years ago
Thank the Lord and the medical team and mostly, the donor.
gadgets
9 years ago
This is wonderful news for Michael and his family. It's sad for the donor's family but I congratulate them for donating. May God give them His peace.
lindaohnowga
9 years ago
Thanks given to God for this successful transplant and prayers that Michael continues to do so well, as well as comfort for the donor's family.
chisue
9 years ago
rhizo -- Best Possible Outcome!

If you posted what the virus was that started all this trouble, I missed it. (Sorry.)
User
9 years ago
Very positive! Thanks for the update and so happy to hear it!
yeonassky
9 years ago
Again blessings to Michael, his family and the donor family. What a gift Michael was given. The best news! Thank you for letting us know!
Georgysmom
9 years ago
Thanks for the update, rhino.....wonderful news!
blfenton
9 years ago
Oh I'm so glad. Thanks for the update.
pudgeder
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
That is remarkable!

What a blessing to have received a second chance at such a young age. And what better gift to give than the gift of life, when you no longer have that opportunity to live. Truly a selfless act.

(IMHO, of course)
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
Original Author
9 years ago
I just watched Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley; one of the reports was about a woman who had had two transplants! The first was when she was in her early 20s and a virus had destroyed her heart. This was quite some time ago and she suffered terribly with the medications she had to take.

Her more recent transplant has been a totally different experience for her due to the improvements in medical science. Her donor was also a young athlete and this recipient runs in honor of her donor. It was amazing, did anyone else see it?
sjerin
9 years ago
That is fantastic news, Rhizo!! I didn't know transplants have better outcomes than they used to, which is great. I didn't see the show.
OutsidePlaying
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Rhizo, I saw the segment too. So glad you saw it. Her story was truly amazing and inspiring. Maybe her books would be helpful reading. It was so amazing the parallel between her story and Michael's about the virus being the cause.

An update about our friends' son and his miracle.

Texas_Gem

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PKponder TX Z7B

Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real

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An update about our friends' son and his miracle.

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