Signs

So, I have written a lot about signs -- especially in my first post.  I truly believe that God puts things in front of us to reassure us, tell us we are doing the right thing, keep us on the right path, help us know which way to go, etc.  I have always felt that way and have seen it happen many times throughout my life.  But sometimes you see, hear, or read things that you aren't sure is a sign -- maybe it is just something cool.  So I wondered how you know the difference?  Is it the timing that matters?  Or is it what you learn from the information that makes the difference?  And is there really such a thing as a coincidence? 

Yesterday my oldest son Josh got his book order at school.  He ordered the Guiness Book of World Records.  He loves that book and orders the updated version every year.  Tonight he was in the other room paging through the book when he came out and said, "Mom, you have to see this!"  On the bottom of every page is listed something that has happened throughout history on each day of the year.  June 17th is Josh's birthday so I imagine he naturally turned to his date to see what it said.  Here is what it said:  "The first successful human kidney transplant was performed by R.H. Lawler(U.S.A.) at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. on June 17, 1950."  (Josh was born just outside of Chicago in Naperville, IL by the way)

Was this a sign?  Is it just a coincidence?  Is it just something cool?  I don't know.  But I know it was cool enough to make Josh excited -- and that's good enough for me!

No News is Good News

The last couple of days have been relatively quiet on the information front.  On Wednesday our nephrologist was able to repeat the test I needed done.  The results are still "abnormally normal".  What I mean by that is this -- if I was just having a routine physical they would tell me the results are fine, but since I am donating a kidney they like results to be perfect, as opposed to just "fine".  So, the nephrologist at Froedtert needs to review the results and see if he feels we need to do any more testing.  I was hoping to hear about that yet this week, but that did not happen.  I guess I need to just be patient!  I just cannot wait to have this thing scheduled.  But these things take time...and good things come to those who wait...and patience is a virtue...and all that other junk they say to make people like me more patient!

I did receive a phone call today from my donor advocate.  She is a chaplain at Froedtert Hospital.  Her name is Sue.  Sue is there to be my guide, answer my questions, and make me feel at ease throughout the entire process from now until well after the donation is complete.  Today she just wanted to introduce herself, get some background information on me, and probably make sure I am not crazy.  They seem to spend a lot of time making sure I am not crazy.  I guess that is good....right?? 

I never thought I would be so happy to be starting a long weekend and be so ready to be ending my long weekend at the same time.  Next week I will maybe have more answers!  Until then, please take a minute to say a prayer for Lonnie as he will start dialysis next week.  I am praying his dialysis days will be very short-lived!

Bump in the Road

Today I was hoping to get the call telling me that the transplant team had approved our case.  Instead I got a phone call saying that I have one more hurdle to get over.  I have one slightly abnormal lab test that we need to be normal before we can proceed.  Fortunately because I work at Marshfield Clinic we have a nephrologist that should be able to perform the test.  So, hopefully we can get over that hurdle relatively soon and move on!  The nephrologist at Froedtert just wants everything to be perfect -- and I certainly understand that!  Our coordinator Elise says there is a chance that our case can then be presented next week.  The team normally meets on Mondays, but with Memorial Day this coming Monday they will be looking to reschedule their meeting for later in the week.  That might give us a little wiggle room to get this test done.  I am still very convinced that this transplant WILL happen! 

Up until this point I have not referred to my friends by name.  I did this to protect their privacy.  With their blessing I am going to refer to them by name from now on.  Lonnie is my very kidney-deserving friend and Ginger is his beautiful wife who keeps him in line.  He can't even get mad at me for saying that -- because after all, he needs my kidney :-)  And yes, they are a lot of fun -- and even seem to appreciate my jokes occasionally!

Prayers for normality are appreciated!  (For the lab test of course!)