Forever Thankful

I am unsure how to start this blog, because words could never explain my true emotions. Today, our neighbor Sam is showing the most unselfish act anyone could do for us, and is getting tested to see if he is a match for Mark. Mark and I are so thankful of how Sam along with Miranda could be so generous. It is one thing to say you would get tested (we have heard many people who said they would), but to actually do this is simply a blessing. Regardless of the outcome, Mark and I are so thankful. We will never be able to say it enough. 

(Sorry Sam...this is the best picture I have of you two!)

Hope

As I stated earlier in my blog, I will attempt to stay positive in all that I write. I lied! I have to admit I hate having to be positive all the time, but I do because that is what I have learned to do all my life. It really takes a lot of energy to put on the front that everything is wonderful. It is simply exhausting really. I think this week, I reached my breaking point. All the stresses in my life just seem to be piling up for me right now, and I can not seem to catch a break.

In the end, all I can do is hope for a break, a better day, a kidney!

May 10th, 2011 - Day 1

This is day one of waiting for a kidney. Mark was officially ok'd to be placed on the transplant list.

Rabbit anyone?

We finished meeting with the last two doctors and evaluation meetings for Mark's transplant. The last two meetings were educational as well. From the viewpoint of Dr. Hamawi and the surgeon so far everything from the tests look well. We will officially know if Mark is on the transplant list next Tuesday. The whole transplant will meet then, review the tests, and then give us a call to let us know. As we were in our last meeting of the day, the doctor was asking the normal doctor questions, when out of the blue he asked Mark if he ate or eats rabbit on a regular basis. How random, but I guess the immunosuppresents he will be on is made partly with rabbit blood and eating rabbit will interfere with the effectiveness of the drug.

Only a few more days of waiting. Then a little more waiting until Mark will finally have a new kidney.

We met another person who has FSGS at the Mayo clinic. He said he received his transplant back in the end of December. He has had a rough couple of months, with a case of pancreatitis. He was doing much better, and it was nice to meet someone who was diagnosed with FSGS.