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kittenupdates

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66 comments on DECEMBER 18–It’s a Go

DECEMBER 18–It’s a Go

Bottom line for all who are holding their breath:

At 8:30 am, Caitlin was taken to the OR. At 9:30, we got word that the blessed donor lungs are good and that surgery will begin as these lungs make their way to Caitlin. (It’s a carefully timed and choreographed surgical dance.)

This will be a long day, with few updates. It’s an extremely high risk surgery at this point, and we can only hold tight. This is usually a 12-hour or so surgery, but it can go for up to 20 hours, or even more.

I’ll update, during the day, with what I know and with little stories about how this all went down.

THANK YOU, ALL, for your prayers and love and light for our beloved Caitlin, and for the donor family and their holiday loss. I am holding them in my heart.summer-2012

The light in our lives.

–Maryanne, with Nick, Andrew, and Jess

 

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kittenupdates

I am the author of CASCADE and LITTLE MATCHES: A Memoir of Grief and Light

66 responses to “DECEMBER 18–It’s a Go”

  1. donna Avatar
    donna

    I was praying for Caitlin and all of you for this to happen – amazing Christmas gift – I have tears in my eyes … there is a God. God bless.

    Reply
  2. Jenny druhan Avatar
    Jenny druhan

    Amazing news..praying all goes well xxxxxx

    Reply
  3. Susan Needleman Avatar
    Susan Needleman

    Thank you God and blessings to the donor family. Continuing prayers for a successful surgery and recovery. Our thoughts are with you! Love from the Needleman Family and Stacy and her family.

    Reply
  4. Kathy and Tom Anguish Avatar
    Kathy and Tom Anguish

    In our thoughts and prayers all day today and everyday.

    Reply
  5. Cecilia Rait Avatar
    Cecilia Rait

    Wow – Maryanne. The Raits will be with you in spirit during all of today and hope for a Christmas miracle.

    Lots of love from all of us.

    Cilla

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Reply
  6. Mary Beth Wilson Avatar
    Mary Beth Wilson

    Praying for all of you as you begin to endure this long awaited day. I pray that Caitlin gets guided through this day by God. I have faith. Strength to all.

    Reply
  7. Pam Hulme Avatar
    Pam Hulme

    Thinking of you all and sending you all of our love.

    Reply
  8. Dot Spiro Avatar
    Dot Spiro

    My prayers and love to all.

    Reply
  9. Laurie Crane Avatar
    Laurie Crane

    Cascades of love and prayers to Caitlin from the crew of PRG.

    Reply
  10. Anne Gamble Avatar
    Anne Gamble

    We are praying hard….and send all our love and strength to Caitlin, and her family. Anne and Walter

    Reply
  11. katie kulik Avatar
    katie kulik

    Incredible news. Thinking of you all, those amazing Doctors, and the donor family. Go Caitlin Go!

    Reply
  12. Shelley Avatar
    Shelley

    I AM SO THANKFUL! I am crying happy tears right now. Now will be sending love and prayers for a successful surgery all day today. From what you have shared with us, her medical team sounds like the best of the best. I know it has been an impossibly hard few weeks on her body, but she is still Caitlin and she is so strong, I know she’s got this!!

    Vibes of strength and calm to her caregivers. This is one of the hardest parts. ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

    Reply
  13. Erica Antinio Avatar
    Erica Antinio

    🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽❤️💫 STAY STRONG CAITLIN! Almost to the finish line, prayers and love will continue to pour through for you all!!

    Reply
  14. Freda Avatar
    Freda

    My heart (thru God) is telling me everything is going to be OK. There will be some rough spots, but in the end, it WILL be a Christmas miracle. God is great. Stay strong and believe. Miracles do happen. Prayers going out to you all.
    Freda from Massachusetts.

    Reply
  15. Jane McCafferty Avatar
    Jane McCafferty

    THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE.! Now our prayers will not cease, our candles will keep burning, our love and faith will surround you all and especially Caitlin and her doctors all day long.

    Reply
  16. mjroseauthor Avatar
    mjroseauthor

    I am weeping sitting here reading this… hoping hoping…remembering the times I spent waiting during the 2 transplants for news from the surgeons… the first was on December 30 1999 – which happened to be my birthday – oh the indescribable agony of that waiting of simply not knowing how to breathe or wait or stay sane… Doug and I sending you everything we have to send.
    xxxx

    Reply
  17. Tiffany & Gaz Avatar
    Tiffany & Gaz

    What a Christmas miracle! We will be praying for the transplant and for the donor family with their loss.

    God bless you all!

    Reply
  18. Jennifer Blodgett Avatar
    Jennifer Blodgett

    Fantastic! Will be praying for Caitlin all day, and checking for updates. Sending hope, love, light, and strength on this long awaited day!! To Caitlin!🙏🏻🙏🏻⭐️⭐️❤️

    Reply
  19. Judy Graff Avatar
    Judy Graff

    With tears, I say Hallelujah. Thanks be to God.

    Praying for a smooth and successful surgery and for the donor’s family. ❤️️

    Reply
  20. Rita O. Avatar
    Rita O.

    Praying, praying, praying. God Bless the Donor Family.

    Reply
  21. Rosemary Prater Avatar
    Rosemary Prater

    Keeping Caitlin and the blessed donor family in my prayers.

    Reply
  22. Laura K Avatar
    Laura K

    Christmas is a time for miracles. Grateful for the miracle that a family in grief extended the gift of life to Caitlin. Praying for Caitlin and for all of you during this long day. May God guide her surgical team as they perform her surgery. Love to all.

    Reply
  23. Nanci Sullivan Avatar
    Nanci Sullivan

    This is a miracle full of grace. Thank you for the information of Caitlin and all of you throughout today and praying for all to go well. Thank you, Maryanne for your gracious time in writing to all of us and keeping us aware and informed of the intimate and poignant story and journey of your lives. I am with you in thought and prayers today. Sending hugs to all of you and in awe of the strength of Caitlin and you, Nick, Andrew and Jess. Nanci Sullivan from Pittsburgh

    Reply
  24. Victoria Cooper Avatar
    Victoria Cooper

    I didn’t sleep a wink, with all sorts of signs that these would be the lungs! How I hope that they are perfect for you and that I get to come and hug you asap!! Praying for complete success!! xoxox

    Reply
  25. ilene p liner Avatar
    ilene p liner

    we are praying for her

    Reply
  26. Eileen Murphy Avatar
    Eileen Murphy

    An absolute miracle has happened. The power of love, prayer and hope have worked. I’m crying tears of joy as I write this message, joy that the lungs were viable, joy that Caitlins life can begin again and joy that Maryanne & Nick get to share this life with their wonderful daughter. I know there is a long road ahead but we will all still be here offering love, support and prayers. With love from Eileen, Padraig, all the Murphy’s, Trumpers and too many friends to mention xxxx

    Reply
  27. All the Lawson Family Avatar
    All the Lawson Family

    Praying for Caitlin and you both all day .xxx

    Reply
  28. JoEllen McGranahan Avatar
    JoEllen McGranahan

    So very happy for this miracle. Prayers for stability, strength and all that goes with it for Caitlin, the medical team, and her family. Will be checking all day. Also thinking of the donor’s incredible gift.

    Reply
  29. Susanne Dunlap Avatar
    Susanne Dunlap

    Sending all my good wishes and love to you and your family, and blessings to the donor whose gift made this possible.

    Reply
  30. Fran Ziegler Avatar
    Fran Ziegler

    I can barely write through my tear swelled eyes. Your family will be in my thoughts all day and night. Sending prayers, hugs and all the positive thoughts possible. Blessed is the season of Miracles!

    Reply
  31. Colleen Rudisill Avatar
    Colleen Rudisill

    Continued prayers for all of you. God Bless!!

    Reply
  32. Lois Avatar
    Lois

    Caitlin and donor family will be in our prayers. May God place his healing hands on her and guide the medical team, 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

    Reply
  33. Steve and Carol Chafetz Avatar
    Steve and Carol Chafetz

    Amazing news! She will be enveloped in love in the OR. Please tell Nick that Steve’s thoughts have been with him constantly and with all of you. ❤

    Reply
  34. Melanie Harmon Avatar
    Melanie Harmon

    So much love and prayer and hope!!!

    Reply
  35. Tom & Annette O'Hara Wexford. Avatar
    Tom & Annette O’Hara Wexford.

    Thinking of u all.

    Reply
  36. Mary Reyes Avatar
    Mary Reyes

    Crying as I read this…. Will pray all day for Caitlin and her beautiful family. Saint Theresa please send a special request to Jesus for a Christmas miracle xoxo

    Reply
  37. mjroseauthor Avatar
    mjroseauthor

    I wrote to all the people I know who pray and asked for those who believe to pray for Caitlin.

    Reply
  38. Nancy Barton Avatar
    Nancy Barton

    I am thinking of you all day. I am sending you all my love and healthy wishes to you Nick, and Caitlin.

    Reply
  39. Julie Little Avatar
    Julie Little

    This is the best Christmas present EVER!!! I have been thinking of you all constantly and spreading the word about Caitlin, organ donation, direct donation, cystic fibrosis – all of it. I pray this goes beautifully, for you deserve nothing less! Godspeed!!!

    Reply
  40. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Thoughts and Prayers for Caitlin and a successful outcome!!

    Reply
  41. LEah Frain Avatar
    LEah Frain

    You all have been in my heart. Praying for Caitlin, the surgical team and you all her devoted loving family.

    Reply
  42. L. Sierra Brookes Avatar
    L. Sierra Brookes

    I don’t know you but Di is an old friend (from 4th grade) so any dear friend of hers is a friend of mine. Have been sending prayers and light to Caitlin since she shared on FB, and will continue to do so. Christmas Blessings from NH. Sierra

    Reply
  43. Anita Slater Avatar
    Anita Slater

    I met Nick a few times when I worked at The International. I haven’t met you or your daughter, but I’ve been following Caitlyn’s story, and have had her in my thoughts every day since reading about her for the first time! Your story prompted me to sign up as a donor. I’m sure today will be a very long and harrowing day, but I was so excited to read the news that you found a match for the lungs for Caitlyn! I’ll be thinking of you all today, and sending positive thoughts your way!

    Reply
  44. Eydie Silva Avatar
    Eydie Silva

    My thoughts are with Caitlin for a full recovery..and with you, her family and the medical angels

    Reply
  45. Sydney Turner Avatar
    Sydney Turner

    Love and light, prayers continuing without ceasing. My entire congregation has been praying for Caitlin nonstop and several wept with joy this morning at the news. We know it will be a long surgery but as always will remain ferociously positive for Caitlin.

    Reply
  46. Ann Marie Dionisi Avatar
    Ann Marie Dionisi

    I am so thankful and happy for you all As you move forward with this surgical Process. My prayers are with Caitlin for A successful transplant XO Ann Marie ————— 508-641-4216 Annmdionisi@gmail.com

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Reply
  47. Trina Calarese Avatar
    Trina Calarese

    Our prayers and thought are with you and Caitlin. The Calarese Family

    Reply
  48. Ann Marie Dionisi Avatar
    Ann Marie Dionisi

    Such great news. Praying for Caitlin as she moves forward with this surgical endeavor. Special thanks to the donor family. Such a life defining Christmas gift
    XO. Ann Marie

    Reply
  49. Mary Cindrich Avatar
    Mary Cindrich

    Angels are watching over us today and every day🙏🙏🙏🙏

    Reply
  50. lprof Avatar
    lprof

    Holding Caitlin and all of you, including the donor’s family and the medical staff, in my thoughts and heartfelt love, for light and life and peace.

    Reply

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