11.19.2009

Lifelink called and said it's "official"

Bruce's donor is approved and he will get a new kidney! Even typing the words seems like a fantasy. I have not had any time to process this yet. We are both so busy then we stop for a moment and think about what is going to happen and still can't believe it's real. I wanted to have an official date before I posted but Lifelink hasn't scheduled it yet. The donor is calling them with the date of January 14th. He already tried for the 7th and they were booked. I haven't mentioned his name or how we know him yet because I didn't want to pressure him in any way. His name is Ken and he is the best friend of Bruce's cousin Tony. We were friends with him when we lived in Tampa. Ken and Tony lived in Orlando and they would visit us, but we have not seen him in about 8 years. So for anyone reading this looking for donors, this is proof you never know who might decide to be tested and turn out to be the one saving your life. I just want everyone to know that this is the most amazing gift and he is an angel to us.

Also this week- Our thoughts are with Bruce's brother Sean. He is having a Nephrectomy tomorrow at Vanderbilt. He got his port put in today for the hemo-dialysis just like Bruce has in his collar bone area. He will recover and be on the dialysis with no kidneys (unless they decide to leave one in) for one month and then hopefully he will be ready to have the transplant from his donor at the end of December. It seems a bit quick because I know what 4 weeks post Nephrectomy is like. It could possibly be put off a bit longer maybe into January. Which would be such a STRANGE occurrence to have both brothers getting a transplant from a live donor right about the same time! PKD is so unpredictable. One could live their whole life without needing dialysis or transplant but Bruce and Sean both started going downhill within months of each other. Sean and Mary have 2 children who are old enough to know what is happening and it is going to be hard on them to see their dad in this condition for the next few months. It breaks my heart because I know the look of worry and concern on their sweet faces.

I had a conversation with Beck about Sean tonight and he was upset that his cousins would have a bad holiday with their dad going through this. I told him to be thankful we will have a good holiday and something hopeful to look forward to for the new year. Daddy will be like a normal person again. He said, "I don't know that Dad". As if he can't remember a dad that wasn't really sick. I reminded him of times a few years ago that I know he remembers but I am now realizing that to him this must seem to go on forever. I am so happy there seems to be an end to this horrible chapter. And it's all thanks to Ken!

10 comments:

  1. That's just wonderful. I am so glad that Sean is getting one too, it makes it so that no one has to feel guilty that he's getting one and his brother isn't. It's truly amazing that it's turning out this way. We're both so happy for you and hope you have a firm date soon. XOXOXO Eden & Dan

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  2. We are thrilled for you!!! Love to all.

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  3. Praise God for your news! I am so on your coat-tails right now!!!! Our donor (who I also won't name yet) is going for her all day appointment on Monday with OSU. She'll get more blood taken, a chest xray, a CT scan of her kidney's and will talk with the nurse and surgeon about the surgery.. I am sooooo hopeful she 'passes' this portion.. then we wait to see if the transplant committee will approve her.. gosh.. I'm so nervous. They've also told us it could be after the first of the year for Neil's transplant if she makes it through! Can you imagine all of us having hubby's with a transplant in the same month? WOW! I'm glad I have you and Mary to go thru this with even though I don't even know you guys! The power of the Internet! I am so happy I saw this today.. you really made my day. Today is our "Thanksgiving Feast" at my school so I will say extra prayers of thanksgiving for your donor!!!!!
    xoxoxo

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  4. Hi there!
    I am so happy to hear the news. Please update or e-mail when you can about the surgery. I would love to do another story with you guys!
    All my best,
    Nancy Alvarez
    NBC-2

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  5. Thanks to all of you! So glad to post something positive for a change.

    Mary and Jennifer- hang in there! Thinking of you always.

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  6. My hope is that by this time next year your boys may not remember so well what it is like to have Dad who is "not well and healthy". It is surprising how quickly kids can forget bad things and enjoy the "now". It will take time to get through surgery and recovery, but I can only think that it will be so much better than what Bruce has already been through. That said, your boys have been living through a genuinely traumatic experience during very impressionable ages. Do they go for any counseling/therapy as an outlet for all these feelings? Teen-ager-hood is around the corner and it is tough enough without carrying old baggage along.

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  7. Amy, that's just amazing news. What a way to start a new year, with a new lease on life! Much love to your whole family.

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  8. awesome news!! hope you all have a great christmas and the new year sounds like it will be great. much love, rube and the gang

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  9. That's absolutely wonderful!!! I'm so happy for you. Hope Sean is doing well after his surgery. love, jenny

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  10. Have you gotten news or approval for that Jan. 14th date? I hope that works out for you!

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