October 30, 2021

Hey everyone! First week out of the hospital post Heart Transplant!!! Was a busy week. Had my first Heart Biopsy. The results came back negative for any signs of rejection!!! EKG and the Echocadialgram both showed great heart function. I’m walking very well Alaina has to remind me to slow down lol. Not had any issues with the heart just dang chicken legs lol. I lost so much muscle in my legs while stuck in the ICU waiting for the heart they are soar and tired after a day of walking. And the best news……I got to see the kids! I haven’t seen my children in person since September 14th, 2021. To hold them in my arms again was the greatest feeling I have ever experienced. Lauren is amazing and the best big sister ever with how she has taking care of Grayson and Jasmine. All three of them have done such a amazing job through all this. Me and Alaina are so lucky to have the amazing support system you all have formed. Thank you everyone!

October 27, 2021

Thank you to everyone who has helped us so much in this time of need! I am so grateful to be where I am now with a new lease on life. I was released from the hospital yesterday 10-26-21!!! I’m staying in the help and healing home with Alaina for the first month out of transplant. It is still in the Mayo Clinic hospital campus. So we are but 3 minutes from our door to the hospital. It’s very comforting. Getting to take a shower and sleep in a real bed nearly brought me to tears (who am I kidding you guys know me I for sure cried) We will never be able to express the gratitude we feel for everyone’s support. But I can’t wait to get a whole new chapter of my life started. The future is bright and I’m stepping into the sun.

October 23, 2021

After a 14 year journey, Kevin "Dale" received his donor heart on October 15, 2021. Our family is so grateful to the donor family for making this hard choice. At the age of 41 he has a whole new future. He has been making wonderful progress and we expect him to move to the Help in Healing Home in a few more days. His wife and children can not wait to have him home again. Thankfully Alaina's job provides her with 12 weeks of unpaid leave to take care of Dale after his initial discharge from the Mayo Clinic. Unfortunately that means they will have no income and must pay insurance premiums totally out of pocket for those three months. Travel expenses to and from the Mayo Clinic. Copays for those visits and for anti rejection medications. Our family is very grateful for the support we have received during this joyful but stressful time. Anyone that has gone through this knows what a roller coaster it all can be. We thank you in advance for any donation you can make.

From a grateful Organ recipient, Mother, Father, Sister, Wife and 3 children along with our extended Bagnall family.