May 8, 2009

We are delighted to report that on Monday last, May 4^th, the Molini family received a call from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital to say that a suitable donor had been found for the five organs that Kristin needed. Because of the immense generosity of a Mississippi family, prepared to consider her need in the face of their own loss, the organs were flown to New York on Monday evening.

Surgery began at 9:30 PM on Monday and continued until mid-day on Tuesday. At 6 AM, however, the head of the transplant team emerged from the operating room to declare, “The organs are in and they look great!”

Friday, May 15, 2009

Kristin was removed from ICU during the week and now has her own room. Each day she walks around and sits in a chair for a period of time. Yesterday, she began to receive some medication by mouth, along with a little water. The expectation is that she will gradually increase the amount of water she can drink. Over the next several weeks she will be allowed some flavored drinks.

Doctors are pleased with her progress but stress that recovery will be slow and she will probably remain in the hospital for months to come. Now that they are attempting to lower the level of her various medications, the pain often feels more intense. Kristin, however, is in good spirits. Her mom says that she will let us know when she is well enough to receive visitors.

Tuesday, May 27, 2009

Kristin continues to do well. Her doctors are pleased with progress so far. She has begun to eat very small amounts of rice and mashed potato. Each day she walks a little further and today she actually climbed some stairs. She can have visitors for short periods. The risk of infection is still very high so precautions (masks etc.) are necessary when people enter her room.

In Kristin’s view, the main benefit of having been at Columbia Presbyterian for the past three weeks has been that she’s actually met most of the current contestants on American Idol; and she has photographs to prove it!

June 2, 2009

Kristin encountered a slight setback last week for which she has been placed on strong medication. For the next five or six days she is not allowed visitors. Many of you who want to send cards and greetings have asked us for Kristin’s address at the hospital. However, because of the fact that all items entering her room have to be wiped down for germs, her mom has asked that cards be sent home first. During the month of June, while school is still in session, we will be happy to deliver any mail sent to us for Kristin.

Please keep Kristin, and her courageous family, in your prayers. They are very grateful for the many expressions of encouragement that they have received over the past weeks. We will continue to post regular updates on this website.