July 7, 2008------------"T" Day

Major at 1 week of age......... and now Major at 2 years of age


Well it is official.....finally. Major will have his kidney transplant on Monday July 7, 2008 at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. KK is very excited and in awe that he will be able to save our son's life and give him a fresh new start by donating his left kidney. Thank you all for your love and support and we ask for continued prayers as our family embarks on another adventure. The plan will be that either KK or I will stay with Major in California for 100 days post transplant so there are still details that we will have to work out but it is all good!!!!!!God provides for all our needs in His time and place.

Slam Dunk........ to transplant!

Major and KK are playing basketball at the neighbor's house. This is one of Major's absolute favorite activities.

KK went to California last week and met with the social worker(to evaluate his sanity as a father of three), adult nephrologist(to check him from head to toe and clear him for surgery), and to have a 3D CT of his abdomen to look at his kidneys. Apparently it went well, the nephrologist only wants two more simple blood tests on KK. Major also need a few more things or as I say we need to jump through a few more hoops for the medical community. Remember this is written(spoken) from a medical person too! Tomorrow, Major goes to the dentist to check off he has no cavities, then off to do an ultrasound of his neck and chest, then off to the dialysis clinic for his monthly visit and a few more blood test, and finally to the pediatrician's office for a PPD(tuberculosis test). It is my day off tomorrow so we might can rest by dusk!!!! I spoke with the transplant coordinator today and she thinks we will be able to schedule a date within the week. The first week of July is looking very promising. I do not think I can pull it all together and make all the needed arrangements in the next 10 days but I can do it all in the next 4 weeks. We would just like to have a date set for the BIG day! Karroll's mom and Paula, one of his lovely sisters and her husband have volunteered to go to California with us for the initial transplant celebration. I am so thankful to have their help with Karroll and Major. The girls will spend some time with their cousins in Oklahoma and then with my parents in Lubbock. I think the girls might get a little spoiled this summer but they deserve the extra attention. They have been such little troopers having a brother who is chronically ill who needs more help than the average two year old. He is so lucky to have those sweet sisters. I will update more when I have a date set in stone not on floating lily pads!!!! This is a beautiful garden center a few miles from our house. I would love to have the time and energy to create a pond like this in our backyard.

Karroll is a Match!!!! Praise God!!!

We received the call today from the transplant coordinator from Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital. Karroll is a match and will donate one of his kidneys to Major. It will take place this summer as soon as we can get everything organized. Karroll is having a complete physical tomorrow with his doctor and a few more blood tests to make sure he is currently healthy and Major has blood work scheduled for next week. Then Karroll will fly out to California to have a 3D scan of his body to look at his kidneys and structure of his body for the transplant surgeon and he will meet with the team that will take out his kidney. So that is why I do not anticipate this to happen before mid June at the earliest.

We will need some help with the girls this summer. If anyone can help take care of the girls , I would like to organize dates among all of our dear relatives and friends. The girls are expecting to have a fun filled vacation type summer. Remember anything away from home is a vacation to them. So let me know if you have some extra time or energy during the summer. I also need a volunteer, maybe Mother Myrna or one of KK's sisters to go with us during the initial transplant time to help me care for both of them after surgery. Major and Karroll will be in separate hospitals that are connected, but I can't be in two places at once. I'll continue to keep you posted with more exciting drama as it unfolds before our eyes!!