It’s amazing to see the effect of a few hours of sleep after getting your body sawed in half and lying awake, in pain for 58 hours.
A lot has happened since my last post. Yesterday evening, we had been kicked out of her room for a few hours to see if that might help her rest. When I returned, her bags were packed and she was about to be wheeled out of the ICU. I asked, “What’s going on?” The nurse informed me they were transferring Nikki up to the 6th floor. Her stay in the ICU was over. Nikki was frightened. She had just woken up from her first nap in days. Her pain was not under control. She still had the blood clot. She did not feel her body knew how to breathe with her new, healthy lungs. And she knew the other wards wouldn’t have the same nurse to patient ratios that were offered in the ICU.
I was told to leave again and check in on the 6th floor in 1/2 an hour when they had had a chance to get her set up and hooked up in her new room. We still needed to transfer our gear from the 4th floor VIP Room up to the more spacious 6th floor Family Lounge. Please note our new VIP Lounge is now in Room 6-106 right outside the elevators. Our cooler is still filled with ice and we’ve got plenty of Annie Saukko’s rigatoni. These new digs also have full size couches! Since the bellhop crew must not be working on the weekend, I moved our belongings. Nikki’s mom, Elaine, went to sit with her.
The nap must have re-energized her, because things seemed to change once she was relocated to her new accommodations. Apparently, the 2 hours of sleep helped the nausea to subside enough to try something other than ice chips for dinner. She was ready to try some broth! After polishing off the styrofoam cup of yellow liquid, she asked to sit in a chair again. Remember, she had only been out of bed once in the last 4 days. The thrill of sitting upright must have given her the audacity to take down a popsicle for desert!
An hour and a half sitting up in the chair wore her out enough to crash once again at 4 AM. She felt confident enough to let me catch a few z’s too. Her nurses were able to locate one of those “comfy” hospital recliners for my snoozing pleasure. My sister, Dana, arrived for an early morning shift at 7 AM and I went up to the lounge to change up my sleeping arrangements.
Upon returning, I had just missed the tail end of Nikki’s 6 minute stand. After watching her wobble from her chair to her bed on shaky knees earlier in the night, I never would have believed she could stand for 6 minutes.
Elaine and I attended a post-transplant caregivers class until 1 PM and then she sent me on my way home. My mom, sister and niece joined me on the patio at Urban Eatery for lunch and some much needed Vitamin D. We then went to my niece’s favorite restaurant, Yogurt Lab, for a nice cool treat. Home was the next stop on my itinerary for some much needed Rosie time. Rosie is our Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier who was very excited to go for a walk and chase squirrels. More napping was followed by a quick shower and a return to the 6th floor at the U.
While I was taking some well advised down time, Nikki took down a peanut butter sandwich for lunch and even had a pudding. As you can see, we like our sweets. We are so happy she is eating and getting some long overdue rest.
Today’s developments were positive, but she still won’t have the energy to accept visitors for a while. Many of you have been kind enough to offer to stop down and even drop some comfort items for our care team in the VIP Lounge. The best way to reach me is via text at (612) 309-3700 or email at travis_malnar@yahoo.com If I haven’t returned a message, please reach out to my sister at danawhiteman@gmail.com or Ben at bsaukko@gmail.com
Nikki is still in pain, but she’s coping with it. The clot is still there, but there’s a plan to address it. She’s finally been able to sleep and recharge her batteries. Her electric attitude was briefly dimmed by a short power outage, but it’s back.
Nikki's New Lungs 
Uncle Al & Aunt Bonnie here. We read yesterdays post and didn’t know what to say. Today’s post is wonderful and splendid.Just wanted to thank you for your delightful entries on Nikki’s website. Knowing how she is doing and actually seeing the pictures gives it reality for us. Please, give Nikki a message from the Valentines
There never was any doubt that you were a strong, determined child with a stunning personality and an iron will. Now you have become a graceful, beautiful and accomplished young lady, who has proven once again her guts and determination to defeat every obstacle. That is real courage! To take the risk, gamble, and win that is your way! We are following on the blog and had a phone call from your mum. We are with you in spirit cheering you on. It is so wonderful to know that so far at least all has gone well. Every day we think about you and you are always in our prayers. I think somebody up there must have the same wonderful love and appreciation for you that your aunt Bonnie and I have. So take time to enjoy, grow stronger, don’t overdo it, and soon we will be able to visit once again.
Come to think of it Travis, I have a pretty good opinion of you too.
Wishing the both of you the BEST!
Uncle Al & Aunt Bonnie
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Such heartwarming news!! Amazing.Praying for you Nikki!!Love you,Thank’s Trav!!
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Such amazing news and accomplishments….. You are both strong people who deserve nothing but the best. I continue to keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
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What a fantastic post sharing such wonderful news.
You are pretty funny to Travis. Have you ever thought of writing?
Nicole (sorry just can’t call her Nikki, to me she as been Nicole since she was born. Lol!) is a fighter and one determined woman, I think the competitive skating taught her that. Soon she will be doing things she hasn’t done in years and it will be so awesome. I can’t wait til we can come visit! Tell her we are praying for her and thinking about you guys.
Love- Karen and Jame Lamb
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This is so awesome, I am thinking about you guys a lot and I’m so glad y’all are getting some rest finally! Take care I will be watching the updates
Lindsey
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Travis am so very happy to hear Nikki is doing so much better !!! With all the love and good care she will be fine..Day by day ,this really touches home for me cause of my brother!!! Every movement she make s is such a huge success!!!! The little things we take for granted bring tears to our eyes!!! Big hugs to you both and your in my prayers !!! Thanks for all the posts, take care of yourself also Nikki needs you more then ever now,,Prayers to the donor family also!!!! God has big plans for you two!!!!!! Enjoy life Hunny~~~~ Love ya Mary Jo
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The “Power Of Prayer”!! I am just beyond happy and extremely relieved, we speak with many people daily of Nikki and her surgery…everyone that enters our store asks about her progress and reassures us that she remains in their prayers, such a wonderful and caring community we live in and we are extremely thankful for that. We love you both and prayers are still being forwarded;) Thank you once again for the best update ever!!!! Huge hugs are on the way;)
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The power of prayer and the positive thinking go hand and hand. Thanks for the update.
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We continue to send prayers for her continued strength and total recovery!
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