Mark Meade Is Home Again

"My husband is home." Simple, everyday words for millions of women, but for Terry Meade (eBay seller tootsiegirls) they go well beyond the ordinary. They mean that she and Mark, her husband, can begin the long, slow journey to a normal life again. Because, five weeks ago, Mark received the ultimate gift of life -- a heart transplant.

Those of you who have been following Terry and Mark's story will be happy and heartened to know that Mark is back home from the hospital and making -- in Terry's words -- "remarkable progress." In an email to one of my colleagues on July 10th, Terry wrote:

"We are making remarkable progress! It is totally unbelievable that we are where we are only 5 weeks after a heart transplant. We even went out for our first dinner and a movie last night...we are starting to feel almost normal again!"

Besides continuing to be a caregiver for Mark, Terry has one other priority on her mind these days -- raising awareness of the need for organ donation and the Gift of Life donor program. She's working with the Gift of Life Foundation to raise funds for a new Transplant Family House in Philadelphia. A "family house" is a place on the grounds of a hospital where family members of patients can stay free of charge and be close to their loved ones during their stay in hospital. Back in 2005, when Mark underwent surgery after having a heart attack in California, 3000 miles away from their home in New Jersey, it was a great relief for Terry to be able to stay at a family house and be at his side.

Terry's story has already caught the imagination of some of her eBay seller friends. They're contributing items, mainly collectibles and eBay memorabilia from events such as eBay Live! for a charity auction, with proceeds going to the Gift of Life foundation. Watch the Chatter Blog for more updates about this. (While you wait for the auction to go up in a few days, you can also contribute directly to the Gift of Life Family House project.)

Welcome home, Mark! And best wishes for your continued progress.