9:15 PM Update

We're now the last ones in the surgery waiting room.  Clifford just stopped by to provide the latest update.  John's old heart was successfully removed, and they're stitching the new one in now.  The LVAD will be returned to the manufacturer, Thoratec, tomorrow so they can insure everything worked properly and no clots developed.  We also asked several questions: we asked why it took so long from last night's call until the surgery started.  This was because all of the donor's other organs were evaluated for harvesting, and the heart is then harvested last.  We also asked if another recipient is on call, and he said often they are, in case the primary happens to have a cough or cold, although he doesn't believe one was on call behind John.  We still have a couple hours to go - it's a long night!

Jen and Co