Hey there, everyone! I know many of you have checked in and wondered if we had an update since our last post. This is all so much to wrap our heads around, so we’ve been dragging our feet on updating. But we just got off the phone with a woman who received a heart transplant herself over 10 years ago and it definitely perked both of us up and reminded us how much hope is ahead. Of course, we have our hope in the Lord, but knowing there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and that all of this will be worth it, is so encouraging. Thank you, thank you, thank you for speaking with us, Terri 🩵 We needed that.
So here goes! In true medical world fashion, it looks like we got a little mixed up on some information while Jake was in the hospital last. Turns out Jake has not been officially presented to the transplant committee yet, but he has been accepted by the hospital to start *their* pre-transplant evaluation! So yes, they know all about him. Yes, they agree that he should be seen and evaluated for transplant. No, he is not officially listed…YET! However, they do all see the urgency in getting him started with the transplant team because these VT episodes are completely random and have a 90% chance of reoccurring (per the literature regarding his LMNA gene mutation).
Some of you might be thinking, “Wait, didn’t he already do the transplant evaluation?” Why, yes he did! Lol With our hospital though! The transplant will be performed at a neighboring hospital and they also need to evaluate him. Mostly, meet the team of docs, nurses, social workers, things like that. This will consist of two full days worth of back to back appointments. The first one being next week! Then, when their evaluation is complete, he will be presented to the transplant committee and it will be then that they gather and make a decision on whether he is a good candidate for a transplant and at what priority to place him on the list.
Being as Jake is stable now and things are quiet for the most part, all of this will be done outpatient in their clinic. There is also a plan in place should he go into VT again beforehand and that just means the eval process would happen inpatient instead.
Jake is really looking forward to these next steps! Having the ball rolling in the right direction is such a relief for him (and all of us close to him)! Those of you who know him personally, keep reaching out. Keep texting him and calling him. Keep stopping by, maybe take him out of the house (Thanks Chris and Brandon!), come play a game even! It all means the world to him!!
Thanks for being a part of this wild ride with us! We’ll check in soon 🩵
-Jake and Brie
📸: Carly 😍
Thank you so much for the update! How wonderful that you were able to talk to someone who has been through this and received such positive news from her! Prayers for all of you continue of course!
I’m so glad you have the connection with Terri! I know another person who had a kidney transplant, and she had a sponsor – another person who had been through it years before. That became her contact person through the whole process, which she found so helpful. I hope that will be true for you as well. I sure hope they accept the testing that Jake has already done and you guys don’t have to go through that part again. I’m glad they’re starting the process next week! Always thinking of you and sending TONS of love.
Hi Nancy, yes, they should accept all the prior testing. Our hospital sends people to them frequently so all should be good 😁
Hi. Guys! Once the eval is done at the transplant center and the team meets things will move fairly quickly. Keep reminding yourselves that God has the perfect answer and always has perfect timing!
Start looking every day for those “calling cards” that give you a visual reminder that He’s got this in control.
Blessings
TerriO