Day after surgery

from David ...

The day after surgery is coming to an end and things are looking great. Both Tati and her father have been up smiling and talking for the majority of the day. Tati's father remains in ICU and Tati has been moved to a post-op recovery room and expected to be moved to a normal room tomorrow or the next day as she gets better. Her father will follow the same process of moving rooms as he slowly recovers as well. Although both are still experiencing some pain there has been nothing unexpected up to this point in time and both are recovering at a rate well above average, so we are told. The doctors will be keeping both in the hospital for the next week or so as they continue to monitor their progress.

Things are definitely looking up!

Surgery Day is Over

from David ...

So it has been a very long and nail biting day for us out here in the waiting room but the day has finally come to an end. Currently I sit in the hospital waiting room as it is nearing midnight but our day started long ago...

Our day began at 4:30 am, we arrived at the hospital around 5:30 am where we meet the surgeons and their staff who reviewed our upcoming day in detail. Around 7:30 am Tati was taken into surgery, and her father followed shortly after. At this point we began the long foreseeable wait and everyone in attendance remained in good spirit throughout the day. The doctors emerged from their hiding place around 1pm to let us know Tati's surgery went extremely well - there was almost no bleeding, no blood transfusion was required, and they reported that they would be done buttoning her up within the next two hours. A few hours later the doctors again emerged from their cocoon to let us know her father, Jose, would be done shortly and that they encountered no major problems. This was excellent news and an enormous weight was lifted off all of our shoulders, we could breathe again! The next few hours consisted of moving Tati and her father into ICU and into the recovery stage.

When I first came upon Tati in the ICU her eyes were barely open and she was lying coldly still. All my fears and doubts had suddenly presented themselves to me when I laid eyes upon my fragile wife lying in that hospital bed. But Tati, being the lively strong loving character that she is, suddenly sprung to life and that smile that we all know and love was suddenly back in full force! I whispered to her not to talk, just rest, when all of a sudden, and with every ounce of energy she managed to find, she spurted out "but I want to talk!" and began gently laughing. This was one of the happiest and most comforting moments of my entire life. To know that my loving wife had conquered such a great feat and came out on top just can not be described with words. I can not tell you how much it means to us to know that we have had such loving, caring, family and friends supporting us this entire time. We could not have come this far without you and it really does mean the world to us.

Although our journey is not yet over we feel the hardest part is done and I hope you will keep us in your prayers as we enter the long slow recovery stages of our journey.

More Photos

Here are some more photos we took before surgery this morning and one photo of Tati's doctor. We have a lot more photos that we will post in good time.

Jose update

from David's iPhone...

We just got word that Tatis father, Jose, is doing okay. They finished up a few minutes ago and we expect to see him within the next hour. They both made it through okay, they must now just recover. Photos and more details to come late tonight.

from David's iPhone ...

I just went down and saw Tati in the ICU, she is in some pain as expected but otherwise looking great. I've never seen anybody try and talk so much immediately after surgery, I believe that is a very good sign, now she just has to sleep and recover. She will remain in ICU throughout the night and moved to a normal room tomorrow, depending on her recovery condition.

We are still awaiting word of her fathers progress at this time.

Almost over!

We just spoke with the Doctors who informed us they encountered no problems with Tati's surgery, they expect her to be out of surgery and in the ICU/recovery room in about 1 hour's time. Her father's surgery is still in progress but they advised everything looks very good at this point and that her father should be done in 2-3 hours time. We are almost there!

Update

from David...

Tati and her father are still in surgery at this time. We haven't heard from the doctors yet, I assume that is a good thing. We are so grateful to have such loving family and friends, keep praying for us!

I will post more shortly and let everyone know just as soon as we hear something.

For those looking for Gloria's apartment address it is below. Tati and her father will be staying here during their post-hospital recovery time.

80 Haven Ave
Apt# 5C
New York, NY 10032

Off to Surgery

from David ...

Well Tati is off to surgery, as of 5:30am ET this morning. If everything goes well she should be done around 3pm ET this afternoon and her father should be done a few hours after. Make sure to keep them both in your prayers.

Let the families arrive!!

It's our last weekend together before the surgery and we already have a full house of family who have arrived. Abuelita Vilma arrived last week, Toti, Tia Lorena, Tio Alex and David arrived a few days ago and we are picking up Dayle and Sheila from the airport today. It's going to be a full fun house for the next couple of days that will keep our minds busy before Tuesday. We're having theme nights and everyone is assigned a theme for cooking so today is Italian night and Tia Lorena is preparing a huge feast!!

Tia Ana was so gracious to put all the schedules and themes together and sad she won't be here this week, but if I get to go back to California shortly after the surgery then She will come help me out once I'm back in San Jose!!

We also settled in to Gloria's new apartment and the location is literally steps to the hospital. She found a three bedroom place where my dad and I will go once we're released and stay there until necessary. We've been slowly filling up this 3 bedroom place with beds and little stuff. I even found myself "shopping" in all the closets at my parents house to see what I wanted to take. I don't have a Costco card but I'm pretty sure shopping and picking out stuff that I wanted to take (for FREE!) beats any Costco. But don't worry, I ended up only taking the essentials like the bottle waters, soap, toilet paper. I was practical and would like to prove to all of you that would survive in simple settings like the woods or camping situations. The 5 star hotel is always desirable and necessary, but I'm a simple girl too :)


Many of you have requested the hospital address and my parent's address in Long Island so here is the information!


After the surgery, my dad and I will be recovering at the Milstein Hospital Building for 4-7 days, depending on how everything goes:


177 Ft. Washington Avenue

New York, NY 10032

7 Hudson South, 7th Floor


My parents address in Long Island:


96 Southaven Avenue

Medford, NY 11763



You can call David at 512-913-9678 or Gloria

A Prayer for Healing and Hope

We have been absolutely blessed with so much support, prayers, and all your unconditional love. I know this blog is meant to express and share, but there aren't enough words that will ever express our eternal gratidue and appreciation for everything that you've all done for us.

We've gotten so many prayers from you all and my dad wanted wanted to especially share this prayer that was sent to him from his Godmother Betty Quan. She has been such a great and powerful influence in his life and like many of you, she has sent a request for prayer in our names. Our Lady of Lourdes will share in Masses for Healing at the Sacred Grotto in Lourdes, France and at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel

Spirit Protector, who gives constant protection to me, my loved ones, and my friends
who help me. Give guidance to those who assist me with answers to my problems and give comfort to my soul.

Reveal to me what I must do tomorrow. And give strength and courage to my afflicted spirit, Make my problems disappear and restore my faith.

-Amen


Prayer of a Grateful Heart

I praise and thank you. Oh God, for the countless blessings You sent into my life.
You are with me in times of joy, and peace, as well as days of pain, sickness, and sorrow.

Through Your goodness, I can delight in good health, find happiness in family,
friendships, work and play, go trough experiences that challenge me, and learn
wisdom through people and events that lead me yo walk in Your ways.

I thank You, loving God,
for the beauty that inspires,
for the laughter that enlivens, for the kindness that encourages,
for the love that affirms and sanctifies.

Grant me share in Your grace each day, that I may so live as to be cause of
gratitude for others, serving, You without need for reward, and with a heart
grateful, faithful, and free.

-Amen

New York, New York

So one of my favorite songs just happens to be this song by Alicia Keys, New York. The version that most people recognize is her with and Jay-Z singing and the version I Love is slower and she performed this once on Saturday Night Live. For the longest time I couldn’t find this version and just last week one of my friends at work (special shout out to Jess Byers) was telling me that she had been listening to this song. I listen to this song over and over and just get caught up in the emotion no matter how many times I hear it!

This is the perfect song especially today because I fly out to New York tonight. I leave at 10:25pm and wake up in New York at 6:44am. The hard part was trying to pack as much as I could in one bag and not knowing when I’ll be back in California. But David arrives next Thursday so as long as he’s there with me and as much as I love being in New York, I’m pretty sure I won’t be homesick for awhile!! So as sad as it is to say goodbye to everyone and everything here, I quickly turn this song on and sing my heart out to the chours :

“New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothin' you can't do, Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Let's hear it for New York, New York,
New York.”


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PHOeXIPNZE


So I’m making this my theme song for the next few months and isn’t the chorus so fitting for this journey?! There’s nothing I can’t do, the NY streets will make me and my dad both feel brand new (especially him with his new liver) and we will be inspired with the coming months. Good thing we’re in New York!

Farewell sunshine state, I’ll be waking up in New York, New York (in my Alicia Keys-esque voice)!

"It's Time" = Auto Cue for Tati to Cry

David and I participated in the annual Liver walk this weekend here in San Jose. We joined the LeClaire team, whose story I’ve mention in my previous post. They were celebrating their 5 year anniversary of sharing a liver and both Jay and Randy are completely healthy and radiated with love for life. It was so inspiring and comforting to hear so many stories, meet so many courageous people that have gone through all walks of life and yet we had all gathered for one common cause. During the 3 mile walk, there were facts posted along the trail that gave statistics and information about Liver disease. I think it was the perfect cram session for me to learn and gain awareness of things that I never knew about. Since my reading choices typically include People or gossip magazines, I rarely take the time to read up on the stats of liver disease, so this was the perfect morning as I get ready to leave California this week.

Not only did this walk help me learn some new things, it also gave me my first interaction with another living liver donor. Jay was so gracious to talk and just answer all the questions I had about his experience. His wife and son also shared their side of the story and filled in the gaps that Jay didn’t really remember about his first few days after the surgery. I just wanted to listen and absorb everything they were telling me and all the tips they were sharing with us. There was one moment where I finally felt my stomach drop and felt like everything became real. Jay mentioned that the hardest thing for him was having to say goodbye to his family before they took him to the surgery room. Since there are so many unknowns on what can happen, they prepared for the worst case scenario and all these preparations were hard on him and his kids. As soon as he told me this, I fast forwarded two weeks and thought how I was going to be strong when it came my time to go into that operating room. I can only keep praying that I will continue to carry this peacefulness in my heart and know that everything will be ok.

So here is my disclaimer/warning for all of those that will be at the hospital with us in a few weeks: It is quite likely that I will cry and maybe lose it just a tiny bit as the doctors and anesthesiologist approach and tell me “It’s time.” BUT have no fear and just know that I have a tendency to cry and get emotional when such announcements are made. All my bridesmaids can attest to this as I cried on my wedding day when the wedding planner came to announce that “It was time” to go upstairs and start the ceremony! My photographer even captured this emotional moment as my bridesmaids told me to stop crying to avoid ruining my make up before the wedding even started. Awww, that was a great day!!

Lorena and Randi coming to the rescue to save the make-up!

A Gift of Life ~ Written by Dad

I turned 51 last May with a very uncertain prognosis for my End Stage Liver Disease. The only treatment available is a transplant from either a deceased donor or a living donor. Preparation for the transplant is very simple. Patience, lot of it, physically there is not much you can do as your condition is getting worse as days pass by. Since I was placed in the waiting list, I have had two failed living donor attempts, and two from a deceased donor. It was not God’s time. The living donor has shaken every fiber of my heart and mind. I was blessed with decisions of my sister Lizzette and then my daughter Gloria to go thru the extensive testing trying to give me the needed liver part. Lizzette had a fatty liver that was detected at the final steps of the testing. She surprised everyone in the Hospital with her enthusiasm for the very difficult act. The thing was that they did not know her and her big heart.

Gloria stepped in and began the battery of test to find out if she was fit to do the procedure. They gave her the green light and set up the surgery date. I find it difficult even now, to explain how God has become even more real and true in my life as the date of surgery rapidly approached us. I started to pray not for me but for my Glorita. She was exercising, dieting and comforting us. The big day came and we were prepped side by side. As per protocol, Gloria was taken first to the surgery room, and my doctor said that he will return in an hour to start my procedure. Three hours elapsed and despite the heavy load of narcotics I started inquiring about her. Doctor came to us and told us that she also had a fatty liver, and her liver was borderline small for me. They decided not to continue with the procedure and we were taken to different rooms. She went to recovery and I could not see her until two days later. I was very thankful for the fact that she was not placed in jeopardy.

After this failed surgery attempt last year, I received a call at 1:00 AM asking me to be ready for a patient involved in an accident. The doctor gave some instructions and asked me to wait for a call. I got ready and woke everyone up in the house and kept getting calls from different doctors to answer questions. At 4:30 AM, they told me that everything looked OK and I had my bag packed and ready to hit the road as soon as they said go. At 5:00 A.M. another call, informing me that there may be a problem with the donor’s liver. “We will call you very soon.” 5:30 AM they called us to cancel as the liver got damaged in the accident. You couldn’t even inmage what may have been going thru my head. I spent the following weeks sleeping only few hours in the day time and making sure the phone was functioning through the nights. We received a second call almost six months later, and the worst part was that I was in Nicaragua and I would not be able to accept the liver. Three months later after this call, we found out that it was also a failed attempt and that the liver wouldn’t have worked for me anyways.

I know now what patience means, and also amazed at God’s timing in answering our prayers. In this year I have been in the Hospital seven times for a colic pain in the liver area. After prophylactic IV antibiotics, morphine, and fluid replacement usually the pain subsides or it gets more tolerable for me to go home. I have stones and sluggish discharge of the gall bladder that gave this incredible pain. I usually do not mention the other discomforts associated with it such as nausea, vomiting, feverish, chills, and signs of encephalopathy as they can be tolerated or controlled.
Nowadays, surgery is set for September 28, Tatiana went to the donor fit test that included the biopsy and we are in God’s hands.

I was born in Chinandega; Nicaragua grew up in a very loving and faithful environment. My parents, both living in California, Gloria and Jose plus seven sisters: Lorena, Maria Elena, Gloria, Lizzette, Maggie, Ana Christian, and Adela Vanessa. I have been married for 32 years to Iracema, in whom I found and recognize the perfect partner that God in his Grace and Love gave to me. We have four children: Gloria, Tatiana, Jose Rey, and Yanina.

Live, Laugh, Love

This is what life is all about! Living, laughing (and for those of you that know me, there is LOTS of laughter) and of course, loving! I started reading the book Eat, Pray, Love and even though I'm only half way through the book and saw most of the movie (Gloria and I went to the midnight showing and naturally I fell asleep in some parts) I know that life is determined by the choices we make and the journeys that we seek out. I'll read the rest of the book next week on my flight to New York and since I'm feeling generous I won't make David take me to the theater to see the movie. A DVD date it is!

But these are some of my favorite pictures and memories with my family. I absolutely love pictures and the stories that are captured in each photo. The first one of Dad and Sandino is great! I took that picture this year in Nicaragua and we all laughed that he resembles Sandino very much in this photo. Long lost brothers??! Now that Recy is in Nicaragua, we look forward to making a trip there. David has only been to Honduras and I'm trying to convince him that there is internet, hot water, and paved roads in Nicargaua. I guess I'll just have to take him so that he can see it all for himself!

It's a Small World After All

David and I recently found out that the owner of our condo actually has Living Liver Donor ties too! Mr. Coleman daugther's (Debra) husband, Randy, needed a liver transplant and after searching for a donor they found that Randy's sisters husband, Jay would be the perfect match!

Below is a link to the newspaper article that shares thier entire story and also a link to the website that their family created.

http://www.bealivingdonor.com/

www.mercurynews.com/san-jose-neighborhoods/ci_15635956

They are celebrating their 5 year anniversary of sharing a liver this month and both doing great since the surgery!! David and I are meeting Randy and Jay this weekend at the annual Liver Walk that will be held in downtown San Jose. We look forward to meeting their whole family and hearing about their story. We will share pictures next week!

30's are the new 20's!

Most of you know that I struggled with the idea of turning 29 and having to come to terms that I had officially entered into my last year of my 20s. I'm still uncertain as to why the idea of turning 30 makes me feel slightly gloomy or why this would be a negative thing at all! Maybe it's just the realization that ten years just flew by and how quickly another ten can pass by again. I can definitely say that my 20s were all about learning, evolving, and taking many leaps of faith. Every decision that I made has brought me to this exact moment and made me the person I have become so far.

Despite my negative thoughts of no longer being in my 20s, I always knew that I wanted to end this year with doing something that would be special. Last year, I told David that I wanted to take a big trip to Europe, make a commitment to run a marathon, or engage in something fabulous! I wanted to make sure that I spent my last year in my 20s doing significant things and doing one thing that I could reflect on for the rest of my life.

It's no coincidence that I had this seed planted in my heart that I wanted to do something significant and special this year. Little did I know or could ever imagine that my "special something" before turning 30 would be to give my dad another chance at life. Less than a month from my 30th birthday, we'll be doing the surgery and I'm hopeful that this will be a new beginning for both me and my dad. There was no hesitation that I wanted to start testing and seeing if I could be his living liver donor. After months of testing and trips to New York, we finally got the news that we could move forward with scheduling the surgery.

I know that every child God creates has a meaning and purpose in life. I'm grateful that it was God's exact plan to keep me healthy these past 29 years and his plan to give me peace in my heart that is preparing me to help my daddy. Turning 30 is not looking so bad after all!

One Year Later

It's been almost exactly one year since we were at the hospital and getting ready for Gloria to donate her liver to my dad. I already admired her for her remarkably loving spirit and her complete willingness to do such an amazing thing. Even though God had a different plan for us, we are so grateful that she is safe and can't help but admire her even more for the amazing and generous heart that she has for others.

Here we are just a year later and ready for this next chapter of our lives. We are so incredibly blessed to have the most supportive family and friends and wanted to have a way for us to share our story and give updates as we prepare for the surgery on September 28th, 2010. I will post as much as I can and hope you all enjoy reading!!