Always there

Dearest friends and family,

We had our visit with the specialist today (Tuesday) and as we both thought, we would be meeting with a team at the new Christiana Hospital Transplant Center. Jim's specialist, Dr. Slater, is proactive in his kidney disease and for this we are SO thankful. We are not sure when we will meet with the team, this is all set up through the Nephrology Associates. The possibility of "things beginning" toward the transplant are (at this point) a few years away, but getting "in" and "on the list" for donors is crucial and proactive. When we meet with the team we will then begin testing (a simple blood test) for living donors. There are 6 criteria for possible donors (bloodwork) and that can be discussed when living donors offer to be tested.

As I mentioned, we are VERY thankful for the wisdom of Dr. Slater and Dr. Mawn for referring us to the Nephrology Associates as well as the benefit of a Transplant Center in our area, which is proactive in the fight against kidney disease. Jim has consistently been losing kidney function over the last few years, he is at a "level 3" (there are 5 levels--last total dyalsis/transplant) and even with the change in diet and blood pressure under control, the kidney is wearing down.

What a wonderful GOD, who gives human beings gifts of medical advances. Thank you for your prayers and keep them coming. We love and appreciate you!

Tina


The above note I sent on Wednesday to friends and family. We are entering into a stage of our lives as a husband and wife, that we knew would eventually come (after discovering there were some medical problems), but when the "time arrives" it is a test on many levels. We are blessed to have a very solid, loving relationship and know that with God and each other, we will come out of any circumstance stronger and more blessed.

We did find out today (Thursday) that the Nephrology Associates sent the request for the Transplant center team to begin the process and we should hear from them in about 2 weeks. After that the process will be alot of paperwork or personal progness notes on Jim's condition from our primary and specialist doctors, Dr. Mawn and Dr. Slater. We will then meet with the team (possibly in 6-8 weeks), at that point, we believe, that testing can be started for possible live donors. Our understanding is that Jim will be on the donor list at the beginning of all the process so that is a very good and proactive move.

As mentioned above, we are very blessed with the care in our area in regards to our situation personally. Jim is very healthy and is very compliant with all requests that the doctors have made throughout several years of finding out that his kidney is not functioning properly. This is all in "our favor" so to speak.We ultimately know that God is the Great Physician and He is working through these specialists and teams here in Delaware. He is also working in our family and us as individuals as we accept what we will be experiencing in the next few years.

I personally request your prayers for strength to continue to be the encourager for our family as well as prayers for inner peace and discernment with events that come our way in every day living as well as decisions for what is best at this "stage" of this event. Also for prayers to continue to see the daily blessings that God so richly gives us and not lose sight of those precious moments because of an ongoing event.

This uncertainity in our lives is only a stepping stone to what God has in store for us as a couple to serve Him with more vigor and strength in years to come. Jim is blessed because when he experiences the transplant, he will be "brand new" so to speak. we know what a gift life is and frankly, that is why I entitled my blog as Living R Lives Together and realizing that every day we live is a day to give God the glory. I know that we will have "down"days and I ask that you pray for us for those days as well as days of being afraid of the unknown. But, I can truly say that God's peace is with us and His presence is always there and when we are feeling down, He is caring for us when we can't care for each other. He is the Great Physician. What a wonderful Savior we have.

Have a blessed weekend.