Endurance

Several weeks ago, one of Jason's dialysis nurses decided to contact his KU transplant coordinator since we still hadn't heard anything.  She was told that we would be getting a phone call soon to schedule an appointment. When this didn't happen, his nurse suggested we contact Research Hospital to begin the transplant process there.  Research is the last option available in the Kansas City area.  We steeled ourselves to start over again, and signed up to attend the initial class on October 9th.  

When my phone rang this morning, I was rather surprised to see KU's number on the display.  Jason's coordinator said she'd like to schedule him for his last appointment.  Because of the way she worded it, at first I thought she was saying they weren't moving forward.  She went on to describe more about what the appointment would entail...labs, chest x-ray, pelvic CT, as well as meeting again with the surgeon.  Exhale.  It seems she meant his last appointment before being listed.  She wants us to come next Tuesday, October 8th. They had planned to use his test results from St. Luke's, but must have decided to repeat these few since it's now been more than a year since they were done.  We will hold off on Research for now.

Jason continues to feel well on dialysis.  His latest labs were very positive. He's never particularly enjoyed reading, but lately has been engrossed in anything he can get his hands on...from grocery store ads to Ladies' Home Journal, ha.  Our library gives away older issues of magazines, so I've been picking up Sports Illustrated each time I go.  Whenever he gets a hint about the date on commercials, he reminds us that his birthday is quickly approaching.  He normally asks how old he's going to be, so Eli and I have him guess.  So far he's always guessed the low 30's, although he's finally going to be 39, and will join me in the 40's soon enough.

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy." (Colossians 1:11)

Live And Unplugged

I  woke early this morning to the sound of Jason's dialysis machine beeping. This is not an uncommon noise in our room.  The display read, "check patient line" so I asked Jason if he was lying on his line.  He ever so casually responded, "I'm not even hooked up."  I was instantly alert and possibly a bit panicked.  This is the reason I have slept so fitfully for the past five months. I've never been entirely certain what Jason might do during the night.  Until this morning, I've always woken up whenever he's tried to get up to use the bathroom. I've come to the conclusion that either (a) I was rather unconscious after a long week, or (b) Jason has secretly been developing ninja skills.
There's a procedure that needs to be followed whenever he is connected to dialysis in order to avoid contamination.  This involves hand washing, wearing a mask, hand sanitizer, scrubbing the catheter with a bleach solution for one minute, and never touching the end of his uncapped catheter.  Needless to say, Jason wasn't able to remember these steps before setting off on his journey to the bathroom.  We ended up going to the dialysis unit at the hospital so they could put a new sterile end on his catheter.  He is also taking an emergency antibiotic for two days to prevent infection.
When Jason went for routine labs last week at the dialysis center, one of the nurses suggested we contact Research Hospital about transplant since KU still hasn't followed up.  She also left a message with his KU coordinator in hopes of learning his status there.  If we decide to try Research, we would attend a class in early October.  They would then request his records from KU before deciding whether to proceed.  We are trying to be patient, and trust the answer will come at the right time.
Eli seems to have already settled in nicely at his new school.  There is a lightness in him as he strolls to the car after his day.  He is excited about playing basketball in October.  We are incredibly thankful that God once again provided exactly what was needed.
I lost a friend this week to leukemia.  Audra had been fighting valiantly for the past seven months.  Each night before I went to bed, I would read her daily journal entry on CaringBridge.  She made such a difference in my outlook on life.  She faced each new day with strength and grace, even as she endured unimaginable struggles.  She had an enormous impact on me, as well as countless others.  I am heartbroken for those who were closest to her, and pray they can find peace in the days ahead.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (Psalm 51:10-12)

Audra...such a brave warrior