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A Day of Progress with a Small Setback

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Posted on: June 28, 2025 at 9 PM
By: James Long, Jr.

Today brought a mix of encouragement and a reminder to keep praying.

Amy began the day strong. The team was able to remove six of her lines, including some of the major monitoring lines placed during surgery. She still has several IVs in place, but this kind of progress so early in recovery is a very good sign.

We’re grateful to share that the new liver is functioning well, doing exactly what the doctors hoped it would. Because of this, Amy was moved out of the ICU and transitioned to the transplant floor. That’s a significant step forward in her recovery.

Amy also stood up with a walker today and spent several hours sitting in a recliner—a major milestone only 24 hours after transplant. The staff has been pleased with her progress, and so have we.

However, later in the day, Amy experienced a setback. She went into atrial fibrillation (Afib)—an irregular heart rhythm. Her heart rate and blood pressure spiked, which understandably caused some concern. The team has worked quickly and carefully, bringing her blood pressure down, and they are now trying various medications to help restore her heart to a normal rhythm.

This development may be related to several factors:

  • Amy had to discontinue her regular heart medication in preparation for surgery.
  • She’s now on multiple new medications, including strong pain medications, which can affect heart rhythm.
  • Her body is under immense physical stress, which is not unusual after a surgery of this magnitude.

Despite this, her care team has assured us that she is still right where they would expect her to be in terms of recovery. The transplant team remains encouraged and confident.

We are too.

Please continue to pray:

  • That Amy’s heart rhythm would stabilize without complications
  • For wisdom as the medical team manages her medication adjustments
  • For strength and comfort for Amy as her body continues to heal
  • For ongoing protection from infection or rejection
  • For peace for our hearts as we navigate both the victories and the unknowns

We remain grateful to God, to Amy’s donor, and to all of you walking this road with us.

With hope and humility,
James

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

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