Hi Everyone! As most of you know James Murphy finally had a heart transplant on January 27th after 4 years of a lvad pumping his heart. Unfortunately there was a complication during surgery that threw quite a curveball that nobody was expecting. A screen was dislodged into his arterial vein that blocked blood flow to his right leg. The transplant team was aware of this happening but they had to focus on the heart transplant. As soon as the heart transplant was complete a different surgeon had to remove the dislodged screen and repair the damage in his leg in hopes that they could save the right leg/foot. It was a waiting game for a couple of days to see how the foot was doing. It was decided that they had to amputate the right foot above the ankle on Saturday, February 1st because they had lost the pulse to the foot. At this time he was still on the ventulator but they did bring him out of sedation enough so we could tell him what was going to take place and if he was agreeable to it. He gave us his famous "thumbs up" to go ahead with the amputation. He came off the ventulator on Sunday morning and was ready to talk to all of us when we arrived. What a difference a day make! During one of our conversations he seemed to be looking at his right leg and I said to him that we thought he would choose the heart over the foot and he got teary eyed and said "I just can't believe I'm alive." And by the way, during all of this time his heart is doing amazing! Just when we think things are on the mend it is discovered during a dressing change of the amputation that he needs some more of his right leg amputated. He had been running a fever for days and they felt it was coming from the right leg. Back to surgery he goes on February 5th. They amputate below the knee. Anyone can just imagine the emotional stressful rollercoaster it has been. Today, February 6th, James has sat in chair, had some tubing removed, was wheeled down the hall to see it snowing and had his first drink of water. I can tell you that James Murphy is the strongest person I have ever known. Never does he complain, he is so grateful for this new heart of his, and he just keeps on moving forward.

Aside from all of this is the financial aspect of it all. The first few nights Lynn and Nancy had to stay in the hotel next to the hospital that is almost $300 a night. Lynn was able to reserve an apartment that the Heart Brothers Foundation offer to patients and their family that are having a heart transplant. The apartment is very spacious, only $100 a night, and can accommodate quite a few of us. As of right now, Lynn only has the apartment until February 12th, unless they have a cancellation. Not exactly sure where Lynn and family will be staying after the 12th. Several people have been reaching out wondering how they can help Lynn and James out with some of these expenses. So I decided to set this page up to provide a place for people to donate or simply just share. Lynn is always the first to lend a helping hand when needed. Now is our chance to help my sister and James in this time of need. Thank you everyone for all of the support, cards, messages, and prayers for James Murphy! Thank you to Nancy, James sister, who has kept everyone updated and has been with Lynn and James for most of the time, along with James brother Rowdy! I am going to reach out to Machias Savings Bank if anyone wants to go to the bank and just have funds deposited into their checking account. James is expected to be in the hospital for a month and then he will have to go to a rehabilation center in Boston upon discharge. Thank you all!