The 13th Day

My Dad was released from the Hospital yesterday the plasma treatment is working. He was able to go home last night but had to be back this morning for his Thymo treatment and another plasma exchange. While he was laying there he felt a trickle down his back. He took his hand and placed it on his back looked and it and it was covered with blood. He called the nurses down and they all rushed in and saw that he was bleeding from his neck where all the lines and ports are to do all his treatments. Since he he is on a blood thinner medication if he starts to bleed it is harder to get it stopped because the blood won't clot. He his in the process of getting a blood transfusion and some platelets put back in. They have readmitted him again because they can't get the bleeding to stop. My mom says its a blessing they did so they can care for him every minute. If something were to happen she would have to get him back down to IMC because the other hospitals wouldn't know what to do. I talked to my dad and he said the only thing he wants right now are some rice crispy treats. My mom really wants a Mu mu to wear. Barbara if you are reading this maybe you could lend her yours! I will be sure to post something as soon as something changes. If any of you have any suggestions on what I could put in a hospital care package let me know. Love you!

Another Positive Update

First of all for those of you who have praying your hearts out for our family I just want to say THANK YOU!! We literally feel all of you and feel like our family is surrounded by a great big hug. We are so grateful for every one of you. We couldn't do this alone. I was able to go see my Dad tonight and he looked great. He has gotten his taste back that he lost I don't know how long ago, he can smell regular things which is awesome. Before all he could smell was a disgusting fermented smell all the time which would make him loose his appetite. He had a huge smile on his face tonight and said it looked promising. We are not getting our hopes up but we are sure staying positive. He will be there through tomorrow getting the blood and plasma treatment then he will continue with that for the next 8days. I will continue to post updates as I receive them. My amazing mom will be transporting him back and forth everyday to and from IMC in Murray. It has almost been 2 weeks since we received this amazing gift and it has really has brought us closer as a family. My brother has spent many hours sitting with my dad late into the night making sure that every need has been taking care of. Cody has also been the strength for us all making sure we don't have a nervous break down. I just want you to know Cody that I Love you and appreciate everything you are doing for Dad and for me and mom. Rodrigo and Liz have been wonderful in taking care of the Kids and everything else at our homes so we can be with our Mom and Dad. I was thinking of making a little book for my Dad that has letters or thoughts from people so I could give them to him so he knows just how many people are praying for him and thinking about him. Let me know if you would be interested in contributing and I will let you know where to send them. Until the next post I hope every one is well.

Back in the hospital!

Since my Dad came home on Friday he has had to go back to the hospital every day for a IV treatment because his #s were not coming down yet. The Dr ordered a kidney biopsy for today because by the 6th day the #s should have dropped quite a bit to where my Dad shouldn't need the IV anymore but this has not been the case since we are on day 8. After a long day at LDS Hospital getting the new kidney biopsied my mom and dad headed over to IMC for the IV treatment when they got there the Drs wanted to talk to my parents. The antibodies in my dads body are attacking the new kidney which is making the kidney reject. This is something that you don't want to happen and hope that it won't when you get a transplant. They have admitted my Dad back to the hospital at IMC, put in a port in his neck and will be taking all of the plasma out of his body and replacing it with artificial plasma to see if that will help. We are all really shocked because we thought things were going well. I have been sick with a cold so I haven't been able to be around my Dad and I couldn't go up to the hospital to see him today. It is literally killing me. I am so worried and scared and want to be there so bad. My mom and brother are there with him making sure that everything is getting taken care of. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to go up there and see him. I have been praying with all my heart tonight that we will be able to stay strong and have the faith that we need to get through this. It has been such a emotional roller coaster for me. I never imagined being able to feel so many emotions at the same time. It is so overwhelming.

Home Sweet Home

My Dad was released from the hospital today. He is home and sleeping soundly as we speak and so happy to be in his own bed. He has to go back the next 3 days to do a IV treatment for fours each day. After he is done with that he will be going back to the hospital 3 times a week to do blood work and get lab tests done. He will be going back for several weeks until the kidney is up and running 100%. As I sit here thinking about this whole situation it just seems so surreal that it has even happened. We have waited almost 2 years for this to happen. Now we are 5 days past the transplant. Who would even imagined it would happen so fast. I am typing this thinking how grateful I am to the donor family. I have so much love and respect for them and I don't even know who they are. It has really opened my eyes up about being a donor and made me realize how important it is. I hope some day we will be able to meet the donor family so they can see how this has impacted my family. I will continue to keep you posted as the days go on. Thank you everyone for your support, we will never be able to thank you enough.

Good News

The Dr. came into and told my Dad that there is a good chance that he will get to go home tomorrow. We were expecting him to be in the hospital for at least 7 days if not longer because he is a high risk patient. He is doing so good, all of his stats look great. Once he gets home he will be out of work for probably 3 months and the hardest part that I am trying to take in is that my kids won't get to see him for at least 3 months. We can't take the risk of getting him sick. He has no immune system and if he were even to get the slightest cold it would be really bad news. I know it will be worth it in the end.

The Recovery

I am sitting here with my dad and we are on recovery day # 2. It feels like we have been here forever and that he got the surgery forever ago. He is doing well he got to eat a little bit today and he has been up and walking. He says that he is really tired but feeling o.k. He is such a trooper and the care that he is getting at the hospital is amazing. The staff has been more than wonderful in caring for my dad. The kidney is working more today that it was yesterday which we are happy about. My dad spirits are so great he never has one bad thing to say. We are so proud of him for being so brave and staying strong. We know that Heavenly Father has had a hand in this whole miracle. We love our Savior so much and we are so thankful for everything that has happened in the past couple of days. Our love and prayers also go out to the family who's loved one passed away and has made it possible for my Dad to be with us longer. It has simply been a miracle.

Glorious Day!

Well our prayers have been answered. We are sitting at the hospital as we speak as my dad has started his new journey. He is in surgery right now recieving a new kidney. My parents got a call last night about midnight and they were put on alert. The hospital called them back about 6:30 this morning and said get ready and get in here as soon as you can. So we have been here since about 8:30 this morning awaiting the long surgery. They came wheeled him down to surgery about 5:15. He is in good spirits but very nervous. We feel that a miracle has happend for us today. We are so grateful for all of you who are supporting us and keeping us in your prayers. It has touched our family so much especially my dad. I will be sure to post again once he is out of surgery and we know more. Waiting has been killing me. I have never felt so anxious or scared in my whole life. I love you all and want to thank all of you for everything. I wanted to wish Josie a Happy Birthday as well and Brandi a Happy Anniversary.