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Paul Cardall recovery a 'miracle'
Heart recipient comes home far earlier than doctors had expected
By Carrie A. Moore
Deseret News
Published: September 10, 2009
Photo by Jeffery R. Allred, Courtesy of The Deseret News
As pink and red heart-shaped balloons bob in the breeze outside their home, Paul and Lynnette Cardall are examining prescription bottles inside.
There's a new heart beating in Paul's chest. Lynnette's heart, for the first time in more than a year, is finally beginning to rest easy.
The Utah musician and his wife came home from the hospital on Wednesday, weeks before anyone had believed would be possible after Paul's heart transplant two weeks ago at Primary Children's Medical Center.
Doctors had told them it would be five to six weeks before he would be strong enough to unplug all the oxygen and IV lines so he could walk away a free man, but as he has done so many times before, Cardall surprised them all.
Before his recent surgery, the 36-year-old husband and father was the oldest Utah patient with his specific type of congenital heart disease to have survived to his age without a transplant. To have him home so soon, and without experiencing any major complications, "is a dream come true. It's just a miracle," Lynnette Cardall said.
Before leaving the hospital, the couple was shown Cardall's old heart, "a football-sized" organ he said he had been lucky to live so long with, considering it was only about half-functional. He said that as he held a portion of it in his hands, turning it over and over and examining the stitches from past surgeries, that was the moment when he "truly understood that somebody else is clearly in charge of our lives."
Future medical students at the University of Utah will hold his old heart in their hands also as a learning tool to help understand congenital heart disease, even as Cardall continues on a series of anti-rejection drugs to keep his body from rejecting the new organ.
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Paul Cardall recovery a 'miracle'
Heart recipient comes home far earlier than doctors had expected
By Carrie A. Moore
Deseret News
Published: September 10, 2009
Photo by Jeffery R. Allred, Courtesy of The Deseret News
As pink and red heart-shaped balloons bob in the breeze outside their home, Paul and Lynnette Cardall are examining prescription bottles inside.There's a new heart beating in Paul's chest. Lynnette's heart, for the first time in more than a year, is finally beginning to rest easy.
The Utah musician and his wife came home from the hospital on Wednesday, weeks before anyone had believed would be possible after Paul's heart transplant two weeks ago at Primary Children's Medical Center.
Doctors had told them it would be five to six weeks before he would be strong enough to unplug all the oxygen and IV lines so he could walk away a free man, but as he has done so many times before, Cardall surprised them all.
Before his recent surgery, the 36-year-old husband and father was the oldest Utah patient with his specific type of congenital heart disease to have survived to his age without a transplant. To have him home so soon, and without experiencing any major complications, "is a dream come true. It's just a miracle," Lynnette Cardall said.
Before leaving the hospital, the couple was shown Cardall's old heart, "a football-sized" organ he said he had been lucky to live so long with, considering it was only about half-functional. He said that as he held a portion of it in his hands, turning it over and over and examining the stitches from past surgeries, that was the moment when he "truly understood that somebody else is clearly in charge of our lives."
Future medical students at the University of Utah will hold his old heart in their hands also as a learning tool to help understand congenital heart disease, even as Cardall continues on a series of anti-rejection drugs to keep his body from rejecting the new organ.
READ THE ARTICLE
We are so happy you are home and well. I have been hoping you would go home quick! Miracles do happen every single day. I'm so happy you received yours. Enjoy your family, i hope to stay in touch through the winter and one day maybe we will meet. Thanks for all your inspiration, you have really helped us through our journey more than you will ever know. Thank you. Libbi goes in at 8 in the morning for her first surgery, which will be the Glenn. Needless to say, we are very nervous, but after seeing and experiencing miracles, we know she will be fine. She is an amazing fighter! Take care,
ReplyDeleteLove,
Libbi's mom and dad
Kurt and Mindi Dixon
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure if you had considered writing down this journey into a book. I think it would be a great seller. Best of all that Heavenly Father has in store for your next journeys in life. I know you will embrace the joyous moments to come.
Stephanie
Beautiful!!! So glad your at at home with your amazing wife and beautiful daughter...you keep amazing, inspiring, and buoying up those who hear your story!!! I am also truly thrilled that your heart will serve to (in the future) help those in the medical field better understand congenital heart disease. Rest easy, heal, and enjoy your home and family!
ReplyDeleteI think a book is a wonderful idea. God has inspired me already through your story. I'd love to learn more.
ReplyDelete