Numbers day - A Busy 8th Day!

Well its been one week since this miracle started and I can't believe how far I have come in such a short time. This started for me in early January when Dr Berenbom suggested we look into transplant. on Feb 3rd I was seen at Barns for the first time just to say I might be a candidate for transplant. on march 18 I was put on the list for transplant on a level 2 basis behind thousands of people already on the list. On April 23rd My birthday I was elevated from a level 2 to level 1B. What a birthday gift. and on May 19 I was called to receive this wonderful miracle. today I will go for my first biopsy and it happens to be my fathers birthday today. My pitter patter number[number of people that have had heart transplants at Barns] is 567 the same number used for my mothers security code, I can't believe all this has taken place in just 5 short months. it had to be FATE

Cheers

Frank Mascaro


Susan writes:

2:15 biopsy test, he should be back in a couple hours. They are going to release him tomorrow morning, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT, heart transplant, its amazing, he's amazing. Joan, one of our transplant coordinator, thinks we will get the result back Friday (if sooner you know I will post). The next biopsy is next Weds, so we will be staying till thursday of next week. If that goes well, we will head home and then the next biopsy will be scheduled 12 days later on a Monday.

Today the following people have came to explain what needs to be done after he is discharged; dietitian, pharmacy (learn his meds), diabetes (he will not have to take insulin when he leaves, but will have to check sugar level), Theresa and Joan Heart transplant coordinator, and Jennifer are social worker who have been angels to us.

The other visit we had was from Ken, a wealth of knowledge. Ken is a mentor for the Heart Transplant Association, his pitter patter # 279, he was on the waiting list for 13 months and yesterday was his 13 birthday for his heart. When Ken walked in to the room he introduced himself, Frank stood up, put out his hand to shake his hand and Ken did not exchange the shake. First most important lesson he said, the first year is to stay away from GERMS, no shaking hands, kissing, hugging. This will be very hard for Frank when he see you all again. But when Ken left he stood and told Frank now in a year you can do this, he reached over and gave me a big long hug, told Frank his day would come soon and he can hug on all the girls. Girls I will be keeping a eye on you. You know I will have to watch that young STRONG heart :)