Jonathans own story!

My story

In one month I will celebrate one year with my new heart and kidney... it was April of last year that I was diagnosed once again with congestive heart failure along with failing kidneys I would be put on dialysis for one month it was a very hard thin...g to go through. I remember my mom always telling me about people who went through dialysis and what it was like and how it affected you well I experienced it and let me tell you it was not fun at all. I was in and out of the hospital a lot, but the final time I got put it my cardiologist walked in my room and told me that I was not going home until I received a kidney and heart transplant, I was devastated. Having a failing heart and kidney was not fun I would wake up in the middle of the night cause I couldn’t breathe I felt like sometimes it would be my last one, they would do something called a bi-pap machine which did my breathing for me and kept my lungs and heart working but that wasn’t enough still I struggled to breath got sick a lot, couldn’t eat had all kinds of IV’S and monitors on it was a long month. But on June the 2nd my cardiologist came in smiled and looked me in the eyes and said "I have good news we found a heart and kidney for you" when I heard those words come out of his mouth it was like an angel came down and said I want you to live through this so here you go heres a kidney and a heart for you. Then at 7pm I was rolled into the O.R where they performed a five hour operation to put my new, healthy heart into me and then hours later be rolled back in to have kidney inserted and have my life saved once again but these combined transplants.... and I want to thank my surgeons Dr. Jason Wellen and Dr. I-Wen Wong for dedicating their hard work to saving my life once again thank you guys so much for all the work you guys did for me and my family so they can see me again.

By: Jonathan Sadowski

Jonathans recovering very well!

Well it's been a long time since we have updated John's blog,sorry got caught up with trying to get back to a somewhat of a normal life.He continues to do well,had a few setbacks with his white count which was easier to deal with than before his surgery.Jonathan's appetite is the best it has ever been he came home at 88lbs he weighs 121lbs now and he doesn't tire out like he did before. He is done with cardiac rehab,back to work and is set up with a personal trainer Darrell Duran,he's been great with us.It's the Sunday after Thanksgiving sitting here updating his blog and as I am typing so many thoughts are going through my head.Some thoughts are why didn't I see the signs or did I just didn't realize they were signs,some thoughts are wow he really didn't look good at Easter,but Monday he said he didn't feel well my Momma instinct kicked in said something was wrong called Larry to tell him John was having trouble he said run him to Progress West it was faster than an ambulance so I did,heart/kidney failure never thought for one minute it was that.When they told us, we were floored,I remember my body trembling as I called family, I felt so cold inside.He was transferred to Barnes downtown and stayed two days in the hospital .That night Larry sent an email out telling everyone that he was headed down a rough road this next couple of months I thought he was crazy for sending the email out because I thought he was fine,little did I know he was sicker than we I thought. It was a very difficult road to watch your child go down,I am sure it has scarred him as much as it has us,still memories of the hospital days haunt Jonathan and us but as we watch him get stronger mentally,physically and his APPETITE gets bigger we get stronger as a family.Jonathan has done so well all docs are happy with his outcome,thanking the entire hospital staff , doctors,family,friends,and for the people who heard about us for all the support and prayers we received.If we didn't have the support we had ,mentally I don't think we could of made it through the hard times.Thank you everyone from the bottom of our hearts especially the DONOR AND HIS/HER FAMILY.

Well I know its been a while since I post but we all have been extremely busy! John has had all his drain tubes and catheters removed and they removed the pace maker wires today! He is doing physical therapy twice a week and is doing well with it. Getting stronger every day! Docs say if all keeps going well, he may get discharged early next week! Keep praying!

Today is rest day for Jonathan. Docs want him to rest and nurses are doing only what they have to! Christine and I are peeking in on him from time to time but trying to let him sleep. Heart is pumping strong and kidney is putting out good amounts of urine. Docs are pleased. And when he is awake he is still pretty groggy from the pain meds. Just can't wait to be able to put my arms around him and give him a big hug. No matter how big they get, they are always our babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well John had a pretty uneventful evening. Docs say heart and kidney are doing good. The pan for today is to try and wake him and remove the ventilator. Pray for success!

Doc just came out and said kidney transplant went well. He said the kidney was making urine as they were stitching him up (which is a good thing)! They told us before the surgery that usually the kidney takes a few days to "wake up" after transplant and start doing its thing but John's is already awake and ready to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Should be back in room shortly so we can see him (and kiss him too!).

Well Jonathan's heart surgery went good! Got back to Post Op ICU at about 1:30am. Docs says everything looks good so far. He went back in for the kidney transplant at 7:30am. Pray for sucessfull surgery and speedy recovery!