A note from Rose

I'm sitting here in an ice tundra writing to you because Sadie loves to keep the room as cold as possible post transplant- her team says that the transplant meds can make her feel like she's running hot and be sensitive to the heat- so I'm in a bulky sweater in late July and I can't help but smile.

Sadie is across the room taking a nap- her first real actual natural nap since the operation. When Sadie got out of surgery she had to small needle size probes inserted into her heart externally to help pace her heart. Today they stopped pacing her heart and let it go off on it's own- her heart is beating all by itself- no supporting drugs, to IV medications, no electrical pacing signal- just the beats that it wants to do- and its a beautiful thing. As she's napping her rate does drop lower than most- but I still can't help but smile because two weeks ago when she slept her heart would dip even lower than it is now- her team is happy with the slower rate, they say "She's got a big heart" and I smile every time because this isn't news to me- its just that the physical size matches the love she's always had. 

I sit here and watch her breathing- and I take my own deep breaths and realize that I can breathe too. For the first time in a long time I feel this sense of peace and joy. I felt the need to reach out to all of you and say thank you- I have been in the deep end with Sadie during this and very rarely come up for air, but you all have sent me bubbles of air to breathe in the dark, giving me support line after support line to be able to hold onto- and I am so incredibly grateful for all of you. 

Sadie is yours too. We have felt your love and prayers and kind words and encouragement and cheering. I have felt you holding my hand in the dark moments, holding me during feelings of uncertainty, and celebrating with me during the good moments and cheering our girl on. 

Our family has grown- you have answered our call for help and prayer and love- thank you. Thank you all so incredibly much.