The Gift of Life

April was Organ Donor appreciation month and on the last day of April our hero, Bobby Romspert was forever tied to the life of another, a generous donor who gave him life and breath!  He is truly a fighter.  He underwent over 12 hours of surgery, returned from the OR with an open chest with an ECMO machine providing oxygen and resting his heart.  He recovered nicely, went back today to the OR for 4 hours to remove the ECMO, and his heart is beating well on its own.  Per his surgeon, his new lungs are fluffy and pink and full of wonderful air!  He is a fighter and a man with a mission.  There is a fishing spot waiting for him on the Eastern Shore and many a friend to spend some time with him there, I am sure.

We have no idea who the generous family is who allowed Bobby to be given the gift of life, but we are forever thankful and honored that he or she was so generous to share their greatest gift with us. 

Bobby's favorite nieces, Colleen, Sharon, and I had the opportunity to drive to University of Pittsburgh and visit with him this past weekend.  We spent some amazing time with him, Barbara and Mary Agnes.  We laughed, we cried, and we enjoyed just having time to talk.  Little did we know that he would get those wonderful breaths of air only a day later.  He and I had a couple of quiet hours on Friday morning... as he struggled for every breath... All he could keep saying was how much he appreciated the thoughts, prayers and incredible generosity of his amazing friends and family.  He couldn't believe how much you all have done.  His love and thanks for each one of you, for all you have done to support he and Barbara was ever present on his mind.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.