Caitlin started to feel abnormally horrible on Saturday and began to rapidly deteriorate. Her team couldn’t get her plummeting sodium or elevated CO2 under control. She knew something was seriously wrong with her body, at the same time that she was increasingly out of it.
Last night, around 8pm, they moved her to the MICU to hopefully stabilize her. At midnight, one of the transplant surgeons told us they needed to quickly put her on ECMO, which is a form of life support that circulates the blood so as to oxygenate it and remove the high CO2 levels that are putting pressure on her heart.
The procedure calls for large cannulas that are inserted into the groin and neck. Her heart went into SVT 3 times and she had to be shocked 5 times. The surgeon told us she wouldn’t remember it, but unfortunately she remembers every bit of it.
At 3am we were able to see her in the CTICU and we are still here. She’s fully conscious, is mostly immobile, but able to talk, with effort, through her oxygen mask. She is still fiercely advocating for herself and telling us we need to watch everything, question everything, for her.
She just asked me to please do a blog post, said, “Need prayers.”
She’s at the top of the list here now. Her score is now in the 90s, and that also makes her a national priority.
Fortunately, we know other people who’ve been through this and lived to tell the tale, so we remain positive. Early on during this admission, Caitlin said she needed “ferocious positivity” from everyone. There’s actually a young woman from MA here, who was on ECMO and was transplanted in early November and who is doing well. And here’s an incredible one: http://www.cfcornerman.com. Thank God for these ferociously positive stories.
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9 Lives Notes 
Hugs, prayers and positive thoughts coming your way. Followed by more of the same. It is the season of miracles. Love from, Cape Cod.
Praying, praying for Caitlin.
Know that I’m praying fiercely for Caitlin to all the saints of lost causes, the rosary, and in my own words. I’ve asked my mother to pray from beyond the grave. And Mary, herself, because she has her Son’s ear. Caitlin is a warrior. I’m in awe of her courage. Blessings to all of you.
Caitlin & MaryAnn and family
I’m praying hard and sending good vibes. Question everything. Stay positive despite the lack of interpersonal skills some staff may have. Dont let it impact your hope. Stay strong and if you have questions contact us since we just went through this.
Love you guys!
In our prayers everyday. The Kights of Columbus of St. Mary’s have been praying for Caitin since she was placed on the transplant list. Prayers for you and Nick too. God bless.
This is heather’s mom. I probably won’t get back down to hospital until the weekend but let me know if u need anything. Private message me on Facebook or thru heather. Stay strong because you have the best docs in the world and miracles do happen. Prayers are being said for Caitlin and your family
Still praying for her….she so deserves this miracle now! xo
Sending up prayers for comfort and a perfect match, and envisioning Caitlin breathing in and out–with ease she hasn’t felt in so long. Stay strong.
Thanks for keeping everyone in the loop Maryanne. Praying for you all. With much love and hugs.
Shyla
Sending up prayers and ‘ferocious positivity!’
I am pushing all my prayers and positive thoughts towards Caitlin. She is amazing, and your family love is transcendent. Go team go.
I just thought of something…A friend of mine had Stage 4 cancer, and was not expected to live. A nurse told him to get anointed by a priest. One of two things would happen: 1) he would be at peace, 2) a miracle. He was anointed and cured. That was over a decade ago. My mother was anointed and received true and deep peace. A good outcome either way. ❤️
I woke this morning and Caitlin was my first thought. Sending fierce prayers and so much love, Dede
Dearest Maryanne and Caitlin,
I have observed your courage from afar, and I remain in awe of it. I am praying for your entire beautiful family and am especially praying that you will receive your transplant during the Christmas season. Thank you, thank you for setting an example of hopefulness and perspective for the rest of us. You are all gifts to the world.
With love,
Jolina
Prayers prayers prayers ❤ ❤ ❤ She's a fighter and she can get through even this. Praying for you guys too – sending much strength to you all.
Sending every thought in the world. I made 4 cards for Cat over the weekend – sending them all now.
Sending all the prayers. Caitlin, stay strong, stay positive, keep fighting. My spirit is right there with you! ❤ ❤ ❤
❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻
Praying praying all the time xxxx thank you all for the update
I am keeping Caitlin and you guys in my heart. Boy oh boy Caitlin sounds like she is a fighter and that is so huge. I’m sending So much love and positive thoughts your way…xoTerri
Sending positivity and prayers! Xoxo
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So stressful! Glad she is getting such good care (altho so v sad/scary she remembers getting shocked). Grateful you all are available to advocate for her. She and you all are in our prayers and thoughts — I’ve lit a candle for her — and I’ll think of her every day, waiting for an update. Love to you, Maryanne, Caitlin, and your family. xoxo
There are a lot of positives in this update and with all the prayers and love awesome things happen.
Love you guys
Saying prayers and sending ferociously positive vibes!! May you all keep firm in hope and faith and know a Christmas miracle soon. xo
Thinking of you always. You are in our prayers, especially today. Love of love, The Wayman family
Adding an ample dose of ferocious positivity here. I will also be ferociously positive for you every waking moment. xoxo Delia
Caitlin, I love you and Norah and i are praying for you all the way
You are in our prayers all day, every day and will remain so. Sending fierce love, hope, strength and courage.
Holding you all in my heart.
Dear Maryanne, Just put Caitlin’s name in the prayer book in our chapel here at Emmanuel College. She will be prayed for at our daily Mass. I also send my prayers and whatever strength I have for you all. Faith is a medicine that has no end. Safety in numbers (and it seems like you have a very wide circle of people) will keep you close to God. I love women of strength and courage. You and your daughter are our role models. My best …. Lorraine
I met Caitlin a few times through Jess Danforth. I am praying and sending ferociously positive energy. I will spread the word so that she has a whole army of positive energy warriors.
Continuous prayers for Caitlin. Thinking positive thoughts & wishing God to grant all of you the strength you need!!! Hugs!! xx Kathy
sending so many prayers to you and her and your family! xoxo!
Tons of prayers and hugs to You all but especially Caitlin. Hang in there! Xoxo
In our hearts and prayers
I truly believe in the power of prayer. We are all praying for you!! Sending you love, strength and prayers! Xoxo
Praying for Caitlin and sending prayers. XO
Our entire family are praying for Caitlin, Maryanne and Nick. Positive thoughts and love come with this message.
Love from Eileen & Padriag xxx
praying for you Caitlin—and John is pulling for you too—I know it. Love to all the family.
Sue
Saying lots of prayers and sending positive vibes for Caitlin and your whole family!
Praying for you Caitlin, sending all the love in my heart – Julie Kelly
sending her everything I’ve got. xoxo
We are staying Ferociously Positive. First thought every morning is of Caitlin. Last thought at night is of Caitlin. And every moment in between. Keep fighting Caitlin. Love, love, love.
Prayers and love to you Caitlin
Caitlin although we have never met, we are already friends. We have exchanged many emails through FPG towards a common goal. You are the true definition of a fighter! Sending you all of the extra air from my lungs that I can spare. Wishing you you inner peace, light, hope, and many caring gifted hands upon you to help make you well again. Be well my friend! I would like to meet you when you are breathing easy once again. 🙂 Deana
Caitlin my dear keep strong. Praying that lungs come available very very soon x thinking if you every minute of the day xxxx
Sending positive energy, thoughts, and prayers. Will notify my prayer circle.
Caitlin will remain in my thoughts and prayers until she is healthy and strong.
Love to all.
The whole SM community sends our thoughts and prayers! We hope your wait will end soon and that you’ll have a speedy recovery! Wishing you lots of love and light and positivity!
Sending prayers and asking for prayers from friends and family. I am so sorry that the path to wellness is through darkness. Tell Caitlin that all the prayers and thoughts and good wishes are her strength at this time- lifting her up and holding her. With so much love and prayers to you all. It is as difficult and maybe more difficult to watch your beloved Caitlin going though all this. I believe her Christmas miracle will come.
Caitlin, you are in my thoughts which are full of admiration of your fighting spirit and incredible inner strength. I can’t help but believe you will live to share more of your amazing story! Positive vibes are coming your way!
Caitlin you are such a positive person yourself and an ispiration to us all. We will keep praying for you. We all love you so much. XXXXXXX