We just got home from Kansas City tonight. We spent the last two days doing Jeremy's donor evaluation. It was exhausting, very emotional and in the end very good.
I struggled during some of our meetings with the weight of these two surgeries (Jeremy's and Joey's). Jeremy did well, but it was difficult for him too. They evaluate every aspect of him and his family. Past surgeries, medications, family deaths, illnesses, emotions, family dynamics and support.
The funny part of our time was Jeremy asked every person we saw what the religious affliation was of the hospital St. Luke's. On Wednesday, we received three different answers and they were all wrong! My sister looked it up and discovered it is Episcopalian, FYI. Today, we met the priest who is Jeremy's advocate in the donation and he was the first to confirm the denomination. Of course! I have to say, the surgeon did get it right!
Anyway, we did get good results. The surgeon is pleased with Jeremy's kidneys. They have to be sure there is only one artery leading from the aorta to the kidney, it makes it easier on Joey's surgeon. It looks like there is and they plan to take his left kidney. Dr. Moore does think he will do Jeremy surgery at St. Luke's while Joey's will be at Children's Mercy. They will transport the kidney to Mercy. The doc joked that they would FedEx it over. This mom didn't find it funny, but Jeremy appreciated the brevity! We will just have to wait and see. For my own selfish reasons, I would like my boys under the same roof, but Jeremy would receive better care at an adult hospital.
Our last appointment was with a nephrologist to review all of the reports and test results. We were scared for a time that Jeremy's hemoglobin A1C test was slightly elevated, but this doctor said not to worry. A year ago the standard was higher and he would have easily cleared. So, it will likely be an issue discussed in the determination meeting, but not likely to stop us.
So from here, we are waiting on final test results and the transplant team to meet and decide if Jeremy can donate. We are feeling a lot of relief at this point. We have a lot of logistical planning we need to do before surgery, so please pray for us to have peace and wisdom in these matters. Please pray for the transplant team to make the best decision and for us to have peace with their decision. Also, Joe has been having some daily pain. It is better, we think we know the cause, but basically it is just a reality of where he is in kidney failure. So please pray for his comfort both physically and emotionally.
Emma had a great time with her aunt and cousins. We are so thankful for that! Thanks, Missy! Joe and Hope got the week with their Nana and Poppy, so I knew they would be great. We had so much help, we so valued the messages we received this week. Prayers and love from so many people really made a difference.
