Monday, April 5, 2010

A Peaceful Day

Mason continues to do very well. All his numbers look great. Blood Pressure is right where it should be now. O2 sats 99%-100%, which is so amazing to me! Poor little guy has always struggled to stay in the 70%'s! Heart rate is in perfect range. We couldn't have asked for a better day the first day after transplant. Wow, it feels like a dream to say "after transplant". We've anticipated this day for many many months.




He is doing much better tonight at peeing (sorry, but how else do you explain this?) his extra fluids off. Thus, the big plan for tomorrow is to extubate, or better said as getting that annoying breathing tube out of Mason's throat (He hates it!) This is amazing to me though....only 2 days after a heart transplant. Go, fight, win Miracle Mason!





I'm truly grateful this night for so many things.
I am grateful that my family is here to spend this joyous time together.
I am grateful for the sweet family who at their time of great mourning thought to reach out and share the gift of life with another family in need.
I am grateful for that glimmer of HOPE I held onto back in September when Mason was given only a few months to live!
I am grateful for the thousands of prayers which have been said across the world on behalf of Mason and our family, which have given me the strength to hold on to HOPE.
I am grateful for all of the wonderful doctors and nurses who have also helped in turning my hope and dream into reality!



This is only a small portion of my gratitude list, but I must go now to lay my head down.

25 comments:

crazylife said...

You are an amazing family and Mason is a true fighter, Your blog has allowed me to open up and hold tight to my children because I know the day is soon when my boys will leave and go on Missions and then come home and find someone to marry and this has always seemed so far away, well, not anymore, it's just around the corner. Thank you for sharing your journey with Mason because he has touched our lives and will continue to do so, We'll be praying for you guys. Tell the family hi for us from the Adams

Wodzisz Family said...

I am so happy for all of you. What a wonderful Easter present you have received. You all remain in my prayers.

The mom of 4 monkeys! said...

Wonderful news! Yay, you go Mason! Still praying!

Miss E. said...

I got the link to your blog off of The Meanest Mom. You are looking at this in a wonderful way, and I find that very admirable, many people are not as grateful. If you are interested, I am a bone marrow transplant patient. I am about 2 1/2 years post now. I don't write a bunch of medical stuff in my blog, or rather I don't really focus on it, it is just another thing, but you are very welcome to take a look at it... Anyway, wishing Mason and your family God's blessings, I'll pray for you.

Pamela Wiscombe said...

Way to go little Mason. Keep fighting. Can't wait to see you without the tubes and wires. Happy Birthday Preston. What a wonderful month and year all of you are going to have. May the Lord continue you grant you peace. If you get a minute while you are sitting with Mason, ask the nurses for a piece of paper to write a letter to the donor family. I think if you do it now in the moment the feelings you have and the gratitude will be easy to come across. When my dad passed he was an organ donor. The letter will find its way to the right family. May the Lord continue to bless you and the family in this second chance at life. GO MASON, FIGHT MASON, HEAL MASON, AND then I can't wait to see pictures of you running around. Congrats

Bob and Joan said...

Just learned of your blog this evening. What a joyous Easter you have experienced! We clicked on your older posts until we have traveled this whole journey of yours. What a long way you have traveled in this little boy's short life. And him too. How special he is and how hard he has tried to keep going. What a blessing this operation has been. We will add our prayers to the family who blessed you. And we will pray for Mason's continued good recovery.

We especially enjoyed your post on Life's Lessons. It was beautiful to read how you recognized the hand of the Lord as he prepared you for your struggles as a mother.

One last thought. You were a very pretty little girl, you were lovely all dressed up for your wedding reception, but only those who have not seen you for a number of years can attest to the magnificent beauty you have become!
Joan and Bob in India (or you could say Elder and Sister McKinley)

Em said...

I love reading your posts!!! They bring hope to us too, and really they are a testament of the miracles that still happen. I remember back in September when you were given the horrible news. I remember talking to you at the hospital, talking about knowing when to fight for your little one. As a mother, you know your kids. You know the strength they contain. But it always amazing when they surpass the strength you ever though possible. Mason is strong. He is a fighter!!

Stefenie said...

I am so happy to hear that Mason continues to do well.

Sending many prayers for continued healing!

Shanna said...

This is very exciting news. i am so happy for you and little Mason! you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. I am so happy all is well. thank you for sharing you testimony with me through this journey. I have grown so much from it!

kurtis said...

GOOO Mason go! What a little fighter he is! I love that kid and i've never even met him :)
Luvs,
Mindi
Libbi's mama

The Simmons Family said...

GO MASON!!!! We are thinking about you constantly and can't stop praying! I can't wait until you get that nasty tube out of your throat and can be back in Mommy's arms!! And sats of 100%... WOW!!

Jamie said...

Oh my gosh Summer! I haven't been on the computer for a few days to check blogs and I am so happy that Mason received his new heart! It has made my day, my week, my year! Oh, I'm so happy! You didn't call me about skymiles, but I'm still more than willing to gift them to you, so let me know! What a blessing and such a unique miracle for your family. And such a testament of faith. Thank you for that. I can now say I've witnessed a miracle. WOW!

Lisa Ward said...

We are praying for your family everyday. It is amazing what kind of miracles can happen with the faith and prayers of so many. We are blessed to know you and have you in our family!

Djinni said...

Glad to hear Mason is improving everyday. I am so thankful someone out there was generous enough during a difficult time of mourning could give Mason such a precious gift. I will always support Organ Donation it's priceless. I look forward to seeing Mason grow and live like he has never done before, to walk and not get tired and play like other children do. I pray that he can play soon and be where he likes to be. Hugs, Djinni (Mom to Isaac Hypoplastic Right Heart Etc..) Blog: laughingwarrior.blogspot.com

Cassie and Chad said...

What a blessing the gift of life is!! My sister in law from AZ called me yesterday and said "I have been following Miracle Mason from your blog and I am sobbing right now! I am so excited to become an organ donar!" You have touched so many lives through this experience. Thanks again for sharing such a tender, sacred experience. We love and miss the Stricklands!!!

Go Fight Win Miracle Mason!!!

Shelene said...

How beautiful for the gift of a renewed life to come to your sweet little boy this Easter. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers! Thank you for sharing your tender story with us all. Your faith in Christ shines through your words. Way to go little Mason!

brooks wynn said...

Oh My Gosh! I was so happy to read these posts! I hadn't checked the blog since April 1st! This all happened so fast! What a perfect Easter! I love Easter and now it will mean even more to me, thinking about the new life Mason got on Easter 2010! We will continue to pray for Mason and your family. It just seems so right that your whole family just happened to be there for this. I don't think that was just by chance! The Lord is watching over your family! This news made my day, my week! Thanks for sharing this journey with us. Love & prayers, The Wynn Family

Anonymous said...

I'm shocked and overcome with joy for you. Been quietly following Mason's journey and didn't have very good internet access for the last week. What a great surprise to read all that's happened for you. I'm ruined as far as work goes for the next hour or so--but so good to shed tears of joy for you all. Easter, for you all to be together...it just goes on--could not have come together more beautifully.

Go, Mason, Go!

Continued grace and peace to you all.

Rolf and Trish

judd and ash said...

Oh my goodness I am so excited for you!!! I have been praying for you and your sweet family ever since I commented on your blog a week or so ago. We have been out of town for awhile and when I saw your post that he had gotten a new heart I almost fell off of my chair! I know that probably sounds weird coming from a complete stranger but I have really connected with your story and sweet mason and after going through 2 open heart surgeries myself with my little guy, you have given me hope that everything will be ok. You are so strong and Mason is so lucky to have you for his mommy! I couldn't be happier for you and your Easter Miracle. Congratulations!!!
Ashlie Bundy

Tam and Fam said...

Hello, congrats on the continued progress after the Transplant!! My name is Joe Bowers and I met one of your family members (Kamy I think) she cut my hair today. She told me of your amazing story and blog. It hit very close to home as our baby born on the 4th of Feb is also a heart baby. We cant say enough about the staff up at Primarys... and are so greatful to have such wonderful people working with our son. Congrats on the transplant for Mason, our prayers and thoughts are with you!!

Best Regards,

Joe Bowers

Katie said...

Just wanted to send our good wishes your way too...another heart family that has quietly followed your blog. Mason is sure a little doll and I'm so happy for him, you and your entire family! Way to fight for him...I too remember reading your news last fall and felt so saddened for you. You held onto that hope and FAITH and now look at him! He is truly a miracle and what a blessing from God. Happy Easter to you all!
Heart hugs,
The Allred's (Maddie, HRHS)

Ashly said...

Been thinking about you guys...

-Andrew

........ said...

I am just SOOOO thrilled for your family! I have been following for a while and have Mason's button on my blog and when I checked your blog today I about cried. He got it! He got his heart! Yippee!!!

Cory Reese said...

This is so exciting! I have appreciated your blog and the reminder to not take life for granted.

Kristin said...

Just read on Paul Cardall's blog that Mason received his new heart! Congratulations!!!! Praying for a speedy (and uneventful) recovery, and for the donor's family. What a wonderful Easter miracle.