4/30  10:14pm

Meg. looks. so. good! If you didn't know better, you'd wonder when you looked, why she was in the hospital. Today - lots of exercise and walking (her comment: I didn't know when I got my new heart that I wouldn't be able to walk.) Tonight, reminiscing and laughter with family, as we filled Meg in on lost moments, hours & days. "The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him." Lam.3:25  ~Kathie

4/30 8:12am Sitting here with Megan watching her sleep so peacefully and reading old FB posts. (Meg is on life support...; Struggling for every breath...; Meg woke up during procedure & bleeding...; We have a heart...; The heart is beating...; Sleeping beauty woke today...) God, I am so thankful for all you've done and are going to do in our lives as we continue to trust you each day for continued healing for Megan.  

9:14pm  It seems every dept. in this hospital has something to teach us before Meg gets to go home! All good, but very tiring. More walking trips today. Met a man that had his heart transplant 14 yrs ago. Met a sweet mom whose 4 month old daughter just rec'd her new heart this week! Dinner brought by loving friends (as it has been EVERY night!). (See continuation of post in my notes.)  We have so many people to thank for walking this journey with us, that if we start, we will surely leave many unlisted.  You know who you are - so many, many of you - friends we know and friends we just haven't met yet.

To help you pray for Megan:
1.  Blood clots - she has 4 or 5 small ones that are being treated.  Not a huge worry, we're told, but they will watch this.  Blood test being done to see if she has a predisposition for forming clots.
2.  Swelling - lots.  Normal after surgery and because of the clots.  But uncomfortable and "heavy".  I'm not sure we have to settle for "normal"; I think God just might be able to take care of this, too!
3.  Lungs - (pleural effusion) extra air in pocket around lung (these are my laywoman's terms!).  Not getting worse, so will just wait for it to dissipate.  If it would get worse, a tiny chest tube would have to be inserted to remove the air.
4.  Strength - is increasing every day, but more is surely needed.  She has lost all muscle tone, and one of the meds increases big muscle wobbliness.  
5.  Emotions - while meds are being adjusted, one especially, will cause emotional highs and lows.  This will probably be one of the most difficult for Megs to deal with!  Again, I don't think that all this HAS to be, but am trying to be ready for anything!

So....borrowing words from a new friend of mine...I will "keep listening; keep asking for guidance and direction; keep praying; and keep giving thanks for all the wonderful gifts that we know that we have received, and the others that we are too dim-witted to know that they exist.  Thank you God, for everything.  Hebrews 11:1 is shining through with all its glory.  It was the certainty to know that what we hoped for was waiting for us ahead--we just couldn't see it---but He did."

~kathie

4/29 8:15am Megan continues to feel well, but tests yesterday show 4 blood clots from being inactive so long. They are small & treatable with heparin, but with needing a biopsy every week of the heart she can't stay on heparin because of bleeding. Pray the blot clots dissolve on their own & wisdom for the doctors. 

4/28 2:30pm Megan's doctor says her recovery is the 1 to beat. The feeding tube came out and one chest tube is going tonight. Megan was interviewed today by Kay Quinn (Ch 5) and the hospital video team. Channel 5 will air tonight. Meg is going to bed for an afternoon nap. I may join her in the next bed.

See Megan's full interview and the television version with Kay Quinn at www.ksdk.com

4/27 6:25pm The heart biopsy was 1A (that's awesome) and the EF was 55-60% (double awesome). We serve a 'Mighty' God and HE makes no mistakes. Megan walked over 1100 ft. today and is eating baked chicken for dinner. Pray for chest drainage to stop, nutrition levels to rise, & that she will be able to get in & out of bed by herself. 

4:01pm  What a busy day it's been for Megs - but she just keeps on keeping on! Sitting in recliner. First walk, 460 feet. Bath. Lunch. Echocardiogram. 2nd walk, over 700 feet. Physical therapy exercises. Was told she could go back to bed for a nap, but she wants to stay in her chair. This girl wants to go home  ~kathie

4/27 1:20pm Sorry, I'm late with posting: busy day. Walked 420ft, doctor visit, therapy, and lots of meeing new people on a new floor. She had a lot of pain last night but now in control. Still no word on the biopsy, but we'll assume no news is good news. Prayer request: her left chest tube is leaking fluids & her nutritional level is still low from weeks of no or poor eating. They still are amazed at her progress.

9:46pm  Meg and her dad had the day together, while I went home to do laundry, pay bills, and spend some special time with baby girl Kinsley - what a treat! I returned to see Megan eating like she hasn't in months! Praise God for an increased appetite! We're in the step-down unit, and they rolled in a bed for the mom! Roomies!  ~kathie

4/26 8:25pm Megan has been moved to step-down. Much smaller rm, but private. She walked twice around the unit with very little assistance. Then she went for the biopsy (results tomorrow). It did show her heart preasure as 3 months ahead of schedule (remarkable). Didn't get to the echo. Having some pain tonight due to the biopsy. Pray for painless, restful sleep.

4/26 8:50am Megan is doing well this morning and getting ready to start her daily activities: Walk around the floor; heart biopsy (pray for NO rejection); echo (pray for a good Ejection Fraction), lunch (pray for appetite to return), and move to step down (if a room becomes available). Recovery is in fast forward.  Praise God!

11:33pm  Returning from "Come to the Fire" early Nov., we discussed transferring our faith to the next generation. I pray that Megan's story will play a part in making that happen. "Let every generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your mighty power." Ps 145:4. God still moves mightily today.  ~kathie

4/25 8:10pm Megan has had a great day. Spending another night in the ICU because her bed in the drop down unit was taken. This is good because we like our room and nurses in the ICU. We should move tomorrow and we are sure we'll meet some more great staff there. 'This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.'

4/25 11:50 Just took her walk around the ICU. Usually on the first walk they just go past a few rooms and come back. With a little oxygen assist, she made it all the way around (approx. 360 ft; length of a football field). Again, they are amazed & we know it is God. Thank you, Jesus.

4/25 10:50am Megan is sitting up waiting on assistance to take her first walk down the hall. She is feeling great (under the circumstances) and beginning to eat pretty well. Off oxygen for 24 hrs & going to take chest tube out today. We are making progress. Will probably go to step down unit tonight. God has performed many miracle this week and we are extremely blessed and grateful. 

4/24 7:00pm What an exciting day for Megan! She was surprised by her own strength, and was able to walk with assistance to the window to view her visitors. They thought they would move her to the step-down unit this evening, but decided to wait until tomorrow - for which we're grateful. Praise God for His continuing healing power in her life.

4/24 10:00am  Been standing by Megan's bed since before 8am helping her to sloooowly drink some apple juice and eat a muffin (thanks Debbie) and some pudding. Also every 15 min we do 3 inhales on her Airlife. She is resting now & getting ready to stand and then sit in the recliner for a few hours. Getting stronger each day. Thank you, Jesus.

4/23 9:05pm Although the blood clot is a concern, it is not uncommon and the doctors do not feel it will cause any problems. They will be watching her closely and taking more tests next week.  Megan is pretty comfortable for now and ready for a good night's sleep. Thanks for the prayers and hope to see many of you tomorrow at 1pm from the window of Meg's room.

4/23 4:20pm  Prayer warriors: The heart rate has gone down, but they did find a blood clot behind her knee. They are giving meds to try to dissolve it.  Pray it won't move and will be dissolved quickly. God is continuing HIS Miracle.

HEARTFELT CELEBRATION AT FOREST PARK.  Many of Megan's friends are getting together to celebrate Megan’s miracle on Saturday (tomorrow), April 24th at 1:00pm (RAIN OR SHINE). We will meet on the hill between the ICE RINK & Barnes/Jewish. Megan will be able to look out her window and see everyone. Please wear RED and bring bubbles is you have some. We want to form a large heart, make a lot of noise and praise our God for this great miracle.  PS: This is a surprise for Megan! Everyone is WELCOME!

4/23 3:00pm Two prayer requests. Megan's left leg is swollen and they are concerned about a blood clot. Also, her heart rate is a little high at the moment and nurse is trying to find the cause. Not a big emergency, but nothing is too small or big for God.

4/23 2:45pm  Megan has had a very busy day. X-rays, standing (with assistance) for 3 40sec periods, sitting in the recliner, changing iv ports to ward off infection, eating (pudding, jell-o, and fruit), and on and on. Needless to say, she is worn out, but in good spirits and pain has been minimal. One doctor called her a 'miracle' today, but we knew that already. 'We serve a MIGHTY MIRACLE WORKING GOD!

4/23 8:03am  Haven't talked with Megan yet this morning, but she seems to have had a peaceful rest. They had her on her feet yesterday, but could not stand alone. Her legs are very weak from 23 days in bed & minimal use before that. Praying for more strength today. 'Meg can do all things through Christ who gives her strength...' Phil 4:13

10:25pm

Sitting beside Meg's bedside, reading her beautiful emails from friends and strangers, reading loving FB messages, and watching her smile. With lots of help today, she stood for a few, sat in the recliner for 2 1/2 hours. She is doing her breathing treatment every 10 minutes, and just finished leg exercises with the nurse. World, here she comes! I sing praises to Your name, oh Lord...     ~km

4/22 8:30pm The x-rays continue to get better: No procedure needed. Thank you God for healing and for friends willing to lift our girl up in prayer. Megan is exhausted and needs restful, painless, and uninterrupted sleep tonight. Two weeks ago the drugs gave her nightmares which makes her afraid to sleep, so pray that she will feel God's presence and have sweet dreams.

4/22 12:00pm The x-ray was clearer, but they aren't convinced. Doing another this afternoon. Other than that, Megan is feeling pretty good today.  Doing her breathing treatments every 10 minutes keeps us and her busy. They want to get her standing by this afternoon.  

4/22 10:25  Pain in under control now. Midnight x-ray shows air around her left lung. We are waiting on second x-ray to determine if a chest tube needs to be inserted. Pray that this x-ray will be clear. We will let you know how God answers. 

4/21 7:10pm Although Megan looks beautiful, she is in a lot of pain. Please pray that she will get relief soon so she can get good rest tonight.  Don't mean to bother you with more requests, but every time you all go to prayer, God answers, so why not ask. 

If you would like to send Megan an email you can do so through the Barnes/Jewish web site.
www.barnesjewish.org, select Patients and Visitors, click on Email a Patient
Thanks to all for their continued prayers and words of encouragement.

4/21 5:30pm We are praising God for Megan's improvement throughout the day. Doctors & nurses are shocked, but we know the source of her improvement. God is still performing His miracle on Megan. Thank you Jesus for allowing all of us to be part of a modern day miracle.

3:13pm

My lips keep smiling, my feet keep dancing, my mouth keeps praising, my hands keep lifting, my soul keeps rejoicing in God, our Redeemer and Healer! Megs is sitting in a chair...Mandi "did" her roots....hair washing is next.                A m a z i n g ! ! !  ~km

2:25pm  Still doing well!  My heart is so filled with gratitude to our Father, Who loves my child even more than I do.  She is whispering...one of first request - brush my teeth - then, need a bath.  Love it, I do.  They are transporting her right now from the bed into a recliner.  Can you believe it?  Of course you can!  ~km

4/21 10:50 am Sleeping Beauty is awake! Her blue eyes still shine and her smile is as sweet as ever. Prayers helped, I know, because this extubation was smooth - no panic or anxiety. Praise Jesus for even the little things. More updates throughout the day.

11:00am

Sleeping Beauty is awake! Her blue eyes still shine and her smile is as sweet as ever. Prayers helped, I know, because this extubation was smooth - no panic or anxiety. Praise Jesus for even the little things. More updates throughout the day.  ~km

4/21 8:50am I ask one of Megan's doctors last night if he could be her 'prince charming' and wake her up with a kiss. He just laughed & didn't think that would work. So we are beginning the medical process again. She is already more responsive than yesterday. Pray that she will not panic, be at peace, feel God's arms around her, and wake up easily.

4:11pm  Sleeping Beauty just does not want to wake up; maybe she is waiting for her prince! So, sedatives are back to let her rest until tomorrow, when they will try again. We are not to be concerned, we're told. Continued prayers are certainly appreciated. We're leaning on His everlasting arms

4/20 12:45 Sleeping beauty is having a difficult time waking up. They are not too concerned but hoping to get a response soon. Pray that Docs will have wisdom to wean her off the right meds to allow her to wake soon.

4/20 8:30am From the mouth of the over night nurse, David, "'Remarkable', a patient who has had two assist devices & transplant in two weeks & doing this well is 'remarkable'". I said, it's 'God' and they agreed. They are beginning to wake her now so pray the extubation goes well and Megan wakes feeling like a new woman. Praise God! Check ksdk.com for several updates since Sunday on Megan.

4/19 5:20pm Equipment and IV bags have been disappearing from Megan's room all day. They are amazed at how well she is doing. The plan is to wake her in the morning & allow her to breathe on her own. God has been faithful and honored the prayers of his people. May we all continue to give Him the praise as Megan travels her road to recovery.