When she heard she wanted, not one, however a number of organs transplanted, Sarah Granados started researching the very best hospitals. She ended up in Indianapolis at IU Well being College Hospital.
By IU Well being Senior Journalist, T.J. Banes, tfender1@iuhealth.org
Fifty-eight days after a multi-organ transplant Sarah Granados is freshly showered, wearing a pink t-shirt and denims. She’s pulled up her darkish hair into two pigtails and sits cross-legged on her hospital mattress. Getting dressed is the primary milestone of many.
The largest element, noticeable to her husband, Gabriel, and each different customer to Granados’ room is her smile. Who might even think about that this 36-year-old lady had undergone a serious surgical procedure to interchange her abdomen, pancreas, small and huge intestines?
For Granados, it’s a narrative that’s measured in numbers. For 11 years she has been sick – affected by, gastroparesis, a illness of the abdomen muscle groups. Primarily, her abdomen was unable to grind up meals, and empty the meals into her intestines. The consequence was extreme vomiting.
A resident of Gastonia, N.C., a suburb of Charlotte, Granados and her husband started researching hospitals that carried out multi-organ transplants. That’s when she ended up at IU Well being College Hospital. Her first go to was on Oct. 8, 2021.
“I used to be listed for 444 days and was transplanted on Nov. 14, 2021 at 4:44 p.m.,” mentioned Granados, who was within the care of Dr. Richard Mangus. She was transported to Indianapolis in a purple, white, and blue single-engine airplane. Photos present her bundled up, surrounded by her three youngsters – a daughter, 18, a son, 16, and one other daughter, 14.
That quantity – “three” – is likely one of the fundamental causes she smiles. It’s additionally one of many causes her coronary heart aches.
“There’s been a lot ache by means of this entire course of, and leaving my youngsters behind for thus lengthy is likely one of the hardest issues I’ve ever executed,” mentioned Granados. “When my situation went from ‘you’ll by no means stay to be 40’ to ‘transplant provides you with an opportunity to go to weddings and develop into a grandma,’ there was no different alternative.”
Days after her 10-hour surgical procedure have been measured by milestones. Every week after surgical procedure, she posted an image consuming a Popsicle and wrote: “10 years. One angel. My first Popsicle. No phrases. Thanks to my hero.” Every week later she posted a video, taking her first steps with the assistance of an IU Well being bodily therapist. The primary week in December she posted a photograph sitting within the chair of her hospital room searching the window for the primary time. She spent Halloween in a hospital again residence. She spent Thanksgiving, Christmas and New 12 months’s at IU Well being College Hospital. She and her husband will have a good time their 18th wedding ceremony anniversary within the hospital on January 24.
The couple depends on their household to look after the kids again residence. There may be numerous Face Time, and updates are supplied on a Fb web page, “Saving Sarah G.” The web page is stuffed with supportive posts from family and friends members.
All three youngsters have been capable of go to their dad and mom at Christmas – one other milestone.
“We opened presents, performed Clue and laughed,” mentioned Granados. There have been additionally tears. “I mentioned I wasn’t going to cry after I noticed them however it had been over a month and a half and I couldn’t maintain it again. I’m a stay-at-home mother. My entire life has been going to sporting occasions, and chasing children. Subsequent to transplant, that is the toughest factor I’ve executed being away from them for thus lengthy.”
One other milestone was marked on Christmas Day. As they shared dinner collectively and Granados nibbled at her meals, her youngsters seen her potential to get pleasure from her meal.
“My oldest daughter was so excited. She mentioned, ‘that is the fist time we’ve eaten dinner collectively and also you haven’t gotten sick,’” mentioned Granados. With the surgical procedure behind her, Granados is aware of she nonetheless has a protracted option to go.
“I belief Dr. Mangus. If he desires one thing executed, he’ll get it executed. If he has issues he’ll tackle them effectively,” mentioned Granados. And as they wait, Gabriel Granados is making his home-away-from-home at an house offered by Truthful Haven. This system, based by most cancers survivor, Amanda Milner, affords free housing to sufferers and their households who’re removed from residence.
As she counts down the times and minutes to return to her residence 600 miles away, Granados additionally checks off the moments that present how far she’s come.
“This isn’t simply essentially the most ache I’ve been in, that is miracle ache,” she says.
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