I have always believed God new exactly what He was doing when He created each of my children. Especially our son, Joe. Joey was born with a "birth defect" which has led to this road we are now on. Today we received confirmation of Psalms when it say, "You know my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb."
Not only did our creator design my son with an extra flap of tissue, "post-urethral valves", but He did it with this day in mind. Today, November 21, 2012 we learned that Joey and Jeremy have, not the usual 3 shared strands of DNA, but 4. Sounds small to you maybe? Not to me. That extra "bonus" strand will help Joey in the future when he is needing another transplant. That extra strand reminds me that God is divine. He is right here with us on this road and will not leave us nor forsake us now or in the future.
Our coordinator, Rachel told Jeremy that they believe Joey will make a great patient. They want him to continue working on taking his medicine faithfully, on time and without exception. Jeremy will be contacted this next week about beginning his work up for donation.
Today has been a hard day. I am home sick and my husband and kids are celebrating Thanksgiving with out me. However, in the middle of my sadness, my Lord reminded me He loves me and will not forget us. I am glad I am home alone to focus on this news and celebrate our Creator without interruptions!
I pray you enjoy a fun Thanksgiving with your loved ones. Remember, God has a plan for you. It is a good and perfect plan.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Transplant Evaluation
Sorry for the boring title, it's been a long week. We returned from our evaluation in Kansas City. We left after 15 appointments in 3 days! So you can understand our fatigue!
As my boys like to start the story, day 1 I passed out getting my blood drawn. Which at Mercy hospital is a CODE BLUE! Yikes! No less than 20 people responded to me fainting! In my defense, it was a student drawing the blood and they needed 8 vials (she got 2 before I went to "La La" land). Anyway the next day, Joe was a champ, he had 9 vials drawn! Turns out Jeremy is a really good match. We found out today, step two in the process that their blood mixes together without fighting. (Now they have NO excuses!)
We learned a whole lot, more than I care to share on here, but I do ask that you pray for step 3. Step 3 is that Jeremy's DNA and Joey's DNA share at least 3 common strands. I am praying for five. Don't ask me the details, I know not. However, I do understand that the more strands he matches now, the easier it is to get the next transplant. This I can explain if you ever want to know.
Dr. Warady anticipates that surgery will be early summer. It takes months to get both Jeremy and Joey worked up for surgery. Jeremy will need to got to St. Luke's in KC soon for his full evaluation.
We were told to treat this like a treatment, not a cure. Joey has a rough road ahead. The next 18 months will not be easy. However, I know our God goes before us in all of this. Anti-rejection meds are "no walk in the park". We are happy to learn his very restrictive diet will be gone after he gets a new kidney. We were told that some things we hoped for with transplant likely may not happen, but forward we will go.
Thanks for your continued support. We would be lost without your prayers.
As my boys like to start the story, day 1 I passed out getting my blood drawn. Which at Mercy hospital is a CODE BLUE! Yikes! No less than 20 people responded to me fainting! In my defense, it was a student drawing the blood and they needed 8 vials (she got 2 before I went to "La La" land). Anyway the next day, Joe was a champ, he had 9 vials drawn! Turns out Jeremy is a really good match. We found out today, step two in the process that their blood mixes together without fighting. (Now they have NO excuses!)
We learned a whole lot, more than I care to share on here, but I do ask that you pray for step 3. Step 3 is that Jeremy's DNA and Joey's DNA share at least 3 common strands. I am praying for five. Don't ask me the details, I know not. However, I do understand that the more strands he matches now, the easier it is to get the next transplant. This I can explain if you ever want to know.
Dr. Warady anticipates that surgery will be early summer. It takes months to get both Jeremy and Joey worked up for surgery. Jeremy will need to got to St. Luke's in KC soon for his full evaluation.
We were told to treat this like a treatment, not a cure. Joey has a rough road ahead. The next 18 months will not be easy. However, I know our God goes before us in all of this. Anti-rejection meds are "no walk in the park". We are happy to learn his very restrictive diet will be gone after he gets a new kidney. We were told that some things we hoped for with transplant likely may not happen, but forward we will go.
Thanks for your continued support. We would be lost without your prayers.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Kansas City, here we come!
Well, we have been redirected to Kansas City Mercy Hospital for Joe's transplant. We will go to Kansas City soon to get Joe tested and test Jeremy and myself for donation. It will be an intensive three days with 13 appointments! I am thankful, the tests are pretty non-invasive for Joe. The hardest is blood work and he is a pro at that now!
Please be praying for us, as the appointments draw near, we are all getting more nervous and stressed. We ask that you pray that we can take in all the education information that we will need and can ask wise, clear questions of our doctors. Please also pray that we get the best doctors, both in skill and "bed-side manner". I know the transplant will happen in God's perfect timing. He never shows up too early and is NEVER late!
I feel more peace right now than I have in a while and I know that is directly because of the many prayers offered on our behalf. Many prayers are coming from people we have never met. Let me say thank you! The comments on here have been very uplifting and we all appreciate them. Please also pray for our daughters, especially Emma, as she is very aware of the stress and is needing some extra affirmation.
I'll let you know how our trip goes just as soon as I am able! God bless!
Please be praying for us, as the appointments draw near, we are all getting more nervous and stressed. We ask that you pray that we can take in all the education information that we will need and can ask wise, clear questions of our doctors. Please also pray that we get the best doctors, both in skill and "bed-side manner". I know the transplant will happen in God's perfect timing. He never shows up too early and is NEVER late!
I feel more peace right now than I have in a while and I know that is directly because of the many prayers offered on our behalf. Many prayers are coming from people we have never met. Let me say thank you! The comments on here have been very uplifting and we all appreciate them. Please also pray for our daughters, especially Emma, as she is very aware of the stress and is needing some extra affirmation.
I'll let you know how our trip goes just as soon as I am able! God bless!
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