June 29, 2016
Today, June 29, marks 1 year since Zayne received her gift of life. Her new and improved heart has been beating in her chest for 1 year! She has been growing and thriving. The proof is in the numbers: in 1 year, she is over 5 inches taller and 10 pounds heavier.
Her eating has improved, but is still drinking Pediasure 1.5 to supplement her diet. For the past couple of months, we’ve been going to feeding therapy at the hospital.
June 29, 2015
This is what I was looking at 1 year ago after 5 hrs of surgery. I wondered if I would ever see Zayne again, and if her personality would remain intact. I didn’t see her first real smile until 4 days after transplant, and she was running around the hospital on the 5th day after transplant.
June 24, 2016 – prior to cath
REJECTION = NONE! Zero. Nada
Zayne’s new heart is doing really well – the cardiologist just examined the inside of her heart. Last week, she had her first post transplant heart catheterization (right and left side of her heart). Having to be flat on her back and still for 4 hours was helped by sleeping through 1/2 of the time. The other 2 hours were a bit more challenging, but we managed to keep the compression bandage working. Because her heart is working well and doesn’t measure any rejection, her next cath will be in 2 years. As much as we love the hospital for giving Zayne a life, we don’t want to spend time there.
Zayne tried skiing this past year, and will be doing more next year. She just started to swim (pretty good considering she just started to get her face wet and go underwater in December). She is riding a 2 wheeled bike (no training wheels). She runs. She hikes. She throws snowballs at her mommy. She loves going on amusement park rides.
Dec 2015 – Harley Toys for Tots ride. Zayne got to ride in an antique fire truck.
Riding a bike (you wouldn’t know she is wearing a Holter monitor)
The girl loves cars. We go to car shows to see ‘old fashion cars’
Ran up the hill because it was there
Hiked 4 miles! Better to throw snowballs at her cousin than at Mommy. Unfortunately, I spent time running away from both of them.
May 2016 – Preschool Graduate
Bling
Skiing on her own (after a little push)
Loves dresses
She loved this ride. I was hoping she wouldn’t fall out of the adult ride (I get too motion sick to do this type of ride)
She is just so big now! It is scaring me! That picture with the cake, it is like she is 10! What an amazing and surreal experience. It is still hard for me to believe. A heart transplant! I am SO happy she is thriving. I am so proud of you as a mom! What a huge deal. I love you ladies!
CONGRATS ZAYNE!! SO PROUD OF YOU!! So glad to hear things are going well and you are growing & healthy! Wonderful pictures and you look so happy! Call me so we can get together for lunch sometime soon before school starts again! Take Care! Love Ms. Tammy
Wow! So glad to see an update and an amazing one at that. Love the pictures: “hill” and “dresses” especially. Congratulations on 1 year with her new heart! It’s a breath of fresh air that next cath is in two years. Wow!
Oh gosh, Randy, this just warms my heart. I’m so happy for you both!!