Now that I am back I am so anxious to see friends and family around again but there is something I have to ask of you if you are planning a visit:

Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick and have not been symptom-free for at least 5 days, if you live with someone who is sick, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick.

After transplant in order to keep my body from attacking Paco i have been put on lots of immunosuppresent drugs. These drugs kill your body's immune system therefore making it very easy to catch illnesses and very hard to fight them off. Getting sick could lead to hospitalization or other serious complications.

We are so blessed to have so many friends and family members be so supportive and thoughtful, please understand that this post isn't meant to offend anyone or imply in any way that we don't completely appreciate all of the love, good wishes and acts of kindness that have been done on our behalf. Thanks for your understanding!

Yesterdays testing included some blood work, a renal clearance test and an ultrasound. The blood work turned out pretty good other than my creatinine level has gone up to 1.5 hence the reasoning for the other two tests. The renal clearance test results come back with a score anywhere from 1-60+. Anything under 20 means you need dialysis(ugh i hate that word) 20-40 is ok. 40-60 is the range they want me in and 60+ is great. Mine came back at 55, no problem there. The last test was the ultrasound to look for lots of different things that could be contributing to my increased creatinine level, blood flow, blocked ureter, etc. That came back showing a small pocket of fluid right on top of Paco that is probably compressing the kidney and causing it to not filter as well as it did. They think it is a result from the surgeries and should clear up on its own. So I was given the go ahead to come home as long as i keep resting. I have blood work again tomorrow. We wont get the results back as quickly as we did at Mayo but i will be sure to keep you posted. Have I mentioned how good it is to be home?

We're home!! Our house has never felt so big!! It feels so good.
I am exhausted, but just wanted to give an update!
Good night!

Woot Woot! Our flight leaves tonight at 8:30 and we should be back to Michigan around 10:30! I cant wait!!

We are very anxious to get home, it seems like we have been here forever. Hopefully we will be leaving wednesday night. They want me to do a few more tests before I leave b/c my creatinine level has been kinda wacky again so if those turn out ok, we get dismissed. If not i will have to stay even longer for them to figure out what is wrong :( Please keep that in your prayers.
I cant wait to be back home, sleep in my own bed and see familiar faces again.

I had such a sense of peace over me during those hours of waiting before surgery, I felt all of your prayers and could feel God's presence with us right in that pre-op room that day. While listening to my i-pod alone in the room after Mindy had been wheeled out God sent me a sign that everything was going to be ok. The first song that played lyrics said, "there will be a day with no more tears, no more pain and no more fears," Now I know that "day" is referring to the day we get to Heaven but for me right at that moment it was a promise that this was going to be the start of a new beginning. This transplant was going to be the end of so much heartache and the beginning of so much joy. He was there.

On that friday after surgery when I first heard the news that something was horribly wrong, and i needed to be rushed into surgery I panicked and thought, "are you kidding me God, why? why are you doing this?" I prayed and prayed that Paco would be ok and they would fix whatever was wrong. Again, while laying on the gurney waiting to be wheeled into surgery, I felt that same peace. My thoughts turned to this video that a friend had emailed me several days prior. I hadn't given it much thought until then but wow, what another great reminder. God wanted me there for some reason, I don't know what but that's ok, I just had to trust. So that's what I did, I trusted in Him that this was His plan for me, this is where I am supposed to be right here, right now. He was there.

"You were there, You were there during historys darkest hour
You were there, You were there always
You were the Victor and the King
You were the power in David's swing
You were the calm in Abraham
You are the God who understands
You are the strength when we have none
You are the living, Holy one
You were, You are and You will always be the Risen Lamb of God" ~You Were There, Avalon

"With every breath I take in I'll tell you I'm grateful again. And the storm may swell even then it is well and You are good. So how can I thank You? And what can I bring? What can a poor man lay at the feet of a King?
So I'll sing you a love song. It's all that I have to tell You I'm grateful for holding my life in Your hands." ~ You are Good, Point of Grace

I cannot thank you all enough for being on your knees in prayer for me during this time. I am so glad that you all got to be a part of this story and I appreciate your continued prayers through the rest of it.

It's all about kidney transplants, which we thought was quiet a coincidence, but you know what is even weirder? Meridith dropped the kidney on the floor!! Remember this?



Anyways, it has been very interesting (and a little inaccurate) to watch. I wonder if the surgical team clapped when my kidney "pinked up" too?

Anybody watch it??

Have I won?
This has been a long road of suffering, I have been through a lot, the devastating loss of a child, life-threatening health issues, bad news after bad news. A familiar story of a faithful servant Job comes to mind, and reminds me that my struggles werent so bad and my journey through it not near as graceful as Job.
I have been reading a devotional book on Job and though i wish i read it earlier, it is still helpful to me and may be to some of you of there too.

"Job was a man who lived in Uz. He was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion. He had seven sons and three daughters. He was also very wealthy—seven thousand head of sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred teams of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a huge staff of servants—the most influential man in all the East!" Job 1:1-3 The Message
"Sometime later, while Job's children were having one of their parties at the home of the oldest son, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing in the field next to us when Sabeans attacked. They stole the animals and killed the field hands. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened."
While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Bolts of lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and fried them—burned them to a crisp. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened." While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Chaldeans coming from three directions raided the camels and massacred the camel drivers. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened."
While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Your children were having a party at the home of the oldest brother when a tornado swept in off the desert and struck the house. It collapsed on the young people and they died. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened." Job 1:15-19 The Message

I cant possibly imagine, in one day every single nightmare exploded into reality and hit him like a ton of bricks. All at once, Job's family and fortune was swept away. His job, his employees, his property, his income, his retirement and everything he worked so hard for...gone.
I know the pain of losing a child but can not fathom the agony of losing ten, all at once.
I often question God and why he would allow this to happen to one of His most faithful servants? Why didn't He protect Job? What was He thinking?
What I learned was that God had this whole journey of sorrow planned out for Job (and me) birthed out of an intriguing conversation He had with God.

"God said to Satan, "Have you noticed my friend Job? There's no one quite like him—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil."
Satan retorted, "So do you think Job does all that out of the sheer goodness of his heart? Why, no one ever had it so good! You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can't lose!
"But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away everything that is his? He'd curse you right to your face, that's what."
God replied, "We'll see. Go ahead—do what you want with all that is his. Just don't hurt him." Then Satan left the presence of God. " Job 1:8-12 The Message

The part that encourages me is how Job responded to all of this
" Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshiped: Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked I'll return to the womb of the earth.God gives, God takes. God's name be ever blessed.
Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God." Job 1-20-22

Yeah Job!! Well done! Crushed, broken and aching, Job STILL worshiped God.

Yeah God! Satan lost, God won!

So he just won the battle, he responded by worshiping God even through all his losses. Then Satan gears up for round two... health issues...sounding familiar? (although my response far less graceful)

"Then God said to Satan, "Have you noticed my friend Job? There's no one quite like him, is there—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil? He still has a firm grip on his integrity! You tried to trick me into destroying him, but it didn't work."
Satan answered, "A human would do anything to save his life. But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away his health? He'd curse you to your face, that's what."
God said, "All right. Go ahead—you can do what you like with him. But mind you, don't kill him." Job 2- 3-6 The Message

Job's response to part 2:

His wife said, "Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you? Curse God and be done with it!"
He told her, "You're talking like an empty-headed fool. We take the good days from God—why not also the bad days?"
Not once through all this did Job sin. He said nothing against God." Job 2:9-10 The Message

Job STILL worshiped God! Job lost everything but refused to give up. God was worth it!

Yeah Job again, Satan lost again. God won again, and Satan was shut up!

There are forty more chapters in the book of Job and do you know how many times Satan was mentioned after the first to chapters?? NONE!!! ZIP!!! ZERO!!

Satan was defeated, I love it!!
Being reminded of this makes me think, have I won? Am I finally victorious? Did I beat Satan? Will he leave me alone now?

I hope and pray that this is it, but if not it will be my goal to praise him in the storm, to fight the good fight and keep the faith!! Just like Job.

Thank you all so much for the cards, flowers and gift packages. I dont think this hotel has ever seen so much mail for one girl!! One day i got 18 cards!! It is definitely helping with the homesickness to hear from friends and family.

We appreciate your thoughtfulness so much, you sure know how to make a girl feel loved!!

Miss you all!!

I am still here, thanks for being concerned. I have a new post brewing in my mind for the past few days, but i want to make sure it is just right so i am still thinking and praying for the right words and for the Lord's message to shine thru!
So keep checking in!

Just a quick update cuz i feel bad i left you hanging: Robb's parents arrived here on wednesday night and have been keeping us company and making sure we have everything we need. i have been going in bright and early every morning for blood work and then have an appointment with the doctor everyday. they sure are keeping an eye on me! Everything is going great, paco is still kicking toxin butt, my creatnine level is 1.2 down from 12? the day of surgery! Woot! They are very pleased with that, on the high side of normal range but the low side of transplanted range!!
Still working on getting the right dosing for all my meds figured out and dealing with some less than pleasant side effects. My pain is manageable, the incision is healing up nicely.

hmm...anything i am forgetting? any questions? just ask!!

Today has been a very bittersweet day for us for obvious reasons. Despite the fact that i was in the hospital most of the day our hearts would have be heavy none the less. Last year on today's date was the first day little brenham came to be. What a miracle he is! We miss you baby love!

Today is our three year anniversary, and what a great three years that has been!!! I am so lucky to be married to such a great man! God has truly blessed our marriage and we look forward to many more blessing He has yet to bring!!
However, this is not the most romantic way to spend our anniversary but there is no where else i would rather be. I know for sure that if it wasnt for robb i would not be sitting here in this hospital bed with Paco right now. He has done so much to get this transplant for me and i would be nowhere in the process without him! Thanks love!

yesterday is gone!

Feeling pretty good, i cut back on some pain pills that made me feel groggy so my pain level has been creeping up but its tolerable. i got up for another long walk with mindy (she is doing great!)

and even put a face on today that alone can make a girl feel better!




Please be praying for my blood pressure to be where it should be, its been going crazy lately.

(this is a pic from one of my appts on tues but i just wanted to add a "good" pic of me in here and it kinda relates so there!



Good news is... my creatnine level is all the way down to 1.4, Paco kicks butt!! and still a peeing machine!! BTW, for all of you non-facebookers, you are probably wondering who Paco is! Paco is what me and Mindy named my/her kidney while we were in the pre-op room , trying to pass the time before surgery started. Something written on the wall made me think of "Paco" and i just kinda liked it and it stuck. We wanted a boy name cuz kidneys aren't very cutsie like girls are!!!!

I'm ready to go "home" aka the hotel, hospitals are no fun. i am so bored!

I've been very tired and blah feeling most of the day today. I only ended up getting 1 unit of blood which did help my fatigue for awhile but then my pain pills make me groggy again.
I got to take a shower today, which took forever with all these tubes hooked up so i think i over exerted myself and got really dizzy and was so close to passing out the nurse had to practically slap me around to keep me awake. Then i got sick and have been sleeping ever since.
And i still have to get a little walk in today sometime. Hopefully tomorrow is a better day.

My doctor just left my room after telling me my hemoglobin dropped even more to a 6.7. So he is insisting that i get a blood transfusion, but he assured me that it will do no harm to me or the kidney. I just have it etched in my brain that blood transfusions equals antibodies, but it should be okay. I agreed that i should get one, my vision is getting blurry, i am a little shaky, and have a fast heartbeat that i can hear pounding during the night!
i now have 7 pints of other people's blood in me and someone elses kidney in me, weird, But thank the Lord people have extras to give to me!
Have a happy Sunday!

Today was a good day, i got up for a walk and sat up in a chair for awhile.
Things are still looking good, made lots of urine today! Yeah for pee-pee!!
My hemoglobin is down to a seven and they would like it to be between a 12-15 so they mentioned a blood transfusion but i kinda said lets wait and see what happens since i have been all the way down to a five before.So please be praying for that. No side effects as of yet from all the new medications, that is a great blessing. I really appreciate all of your prayers for me, you all are so great, i feel so loved and cared about!

First of all thank you so so much for your prayers for me, God certainly has me in the palm of His hands, things could have gotten very bad but luckily turned out ok. Thank you so much!!

Let me tell you a little bit about my little sister. Let's see since we got the transplant on 10/8 i will tell you 18 things about her(10+8=18)
1. She is 21 years old
2. She does all the office work for my dads business
3. She loves her job and always makes sure it's being done correctly
4. She is silly and sarcastic
5. She is loving and caring
6. Mindy loves Taco Bell and Crazy Horse Restaurant
7. She is married to Kyle
8. They got married on December 14, 2007
9. She only has 1 kidney :)
10. Mindy and Kyle have a new doggie, Dawson
11. She loves her family more than anyone i know :)
12. When she was in 3rd grade she got hit by a truck when we were getting off the school bus (I saw it all happen and took good care of her)
13. she broke a bone in her butt.
14. She got me addicted to One Tree Hill, her favorite show.
15. She laughs when she cries and cries when she laughs
16. She loves Jesus.
17. She saved some one's life.
18. She is a great sister!

I'm glad to report that Katie is doing great. She is back from recovery and has been in her normal room for most of the afternoon. She still does have pain and is tired which is to be expected. She seems to be in great spirits and has her sense of humor back. The doctors are not exactly sure what happened. The only thing they think is that she was not getting enough fluid. This may be a result of her being on PD dialysis which can absorb some of the fluid before it can get to wherever it is suppose to go. (I am definitely not a doctor) Since the surgery she is back to being a urine making machine. I have never in my life been so glad to look at pee:)

Needless to say it has been a roller coaster of a day. I decided to sleep at the hotel last night b/c I didn't sleep well in the chair the night before. I was woke up at 6:00 with a phone call. I didn't get it in time and it went to voice mail. I quickly answered and it was Katie saying that she hoped that I was on my way because she was going to the OR soon. (Wost phone call that I have ever received) I couldn't call back to the number so I got dressed and ran to the hospital. And the rest is history.

Mindy is recovering nicely and is expected to get out of the hospital sometime tomorrow.

God definitely is at work in some mysterious ways, but his presence has definitely been felt through this whole ordeal. Please continue to be prayer warriors. I know that the devil has tried his best to break us but we will not be moved!!!! GLORY BE TO GOD!!!!!

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9-10)

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7-8)

Katie went into surgery this morning 7:17 to figure out why her kidney and bladder were not putting out urine. She finished surgery at 10:10. The Dr. is not sure what happened but told us that everything looks good and that the kidney is still functioning properly. She was just brought back to her room and I am waiting to be able to see her again. Thanks for all of the prayers and I will update later today with a follow up after I see her.

**update**
please pray, urine has stopped and i am very uncomfortable and scared that something is wrong. drs are tring to figure it out but not as quickly as i'd like.
~going in for surgery asap. please pray.

Hey Everyone, Katie here! Its good to be back. Its hard to type with all these tubes coming out of my hands so this will be quick, but i just wanted to let everybody know that things are going really well. i got out of bed earlier today and sat up in the chair for a bit, that felt so nice~My pain is mostly in my lower back and incision area(which i hear is small!) Mindy is quite sore as well, please pray for my brave little sister as she tries to recover so she can go home hopefully tomorrow! I saw her briefly this afternoon, she came for a wheelchair ride so i was glad to see her! Thanks so lot for all of your comments and emails, i love to read them. they are so encouraging! Send Mindy your messages at kyleandmindy@hotmail.com!

Katie and Mindy are doing great!!!
The Doctor came in and told us that the surgery went wonderfully. Katie's new kidney is working great and producing urine like crazy. The doctor and nurses seem to be very pleased. Katie is still pretty sedated but I have talked with her and she is doing well. They gave her a hand held sort of push button remote that she can push for additional pain medication. (Drugs on Demand:) They have told us that it may be a rough night trying to sleep with the pain and monitoring. Please pray that she can sleep well. She is doing a great job at that right now as I'm watching her sleep while I type. Anyway I thought that you would like to know a funny story about Katie. Seeing that she is sleeping I have some time. If you know Katie you know that she has to be the most like able person alive. Always happy and smiling even when she isn't feeling that way inside. Also she is got to be one of the toughest people I know physically and mentally. For example yesterday at one of our many appointments we were meeting with the surgeon. This would to most people be a scary and serious conversation. When the surgeon was done explaining what was going to happen he asked if we had any questions. Katie said "yea I was wondering what happens if you drop the kidney when you are carrying it from Mindy to me?" What a great question to lighten the mood. By the way if you are wondering the kidney would be ok they just have to clean it and sterilize it if this would happen. So that is about it for now. Tomorrow they are planning on having Katie get up and walk two to three times throughout the day. Maybe she will be back in blogging form sometime tomorrow. (she is a little better at doing this than I am)

Mindy and Katie are both out of surgery!!!!!
We just saw Mindy in the recovery room and she is doing good. I won't be able to see Katie for 2 more hours because they have to monitor her in the recovery room. The surgeon talked to us and said that everything went great. The kidney started functioning right away. I can't wait to see her. Thank you God for all that you have brought both Mindy and Katie through today. I will post later after I get to see Katie.

Though I would post a very fitting song at the current time from the movie "Fireproof"

Artist John Waller
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painfulBut patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waitingI will serve You
While I'm waitingI will worship
While I'm waitingI will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait
I'm waitingI'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will waitYes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Link to the video from the movie at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3b2jw1rjBc

Mindy's surgeon just came to see us and said that Mindy's surgery went very well. She will be in recovery for a few hours and then we will be able to see her. Praise God!!! Now the kidney will be prepped, and Katie's surgeon will begin to put it into Katie.

The nurse communicator has told us that Mindy 's surgery started 8:26am. Katie's surgery started at 8:45am. This is central time. Please keep praying for them especially right now. Mindy's surgery will take about 3hrs and Katie's about 4 hrs. I think that this will be the longest hours of my life. I will post again when I hear an update from the communicator.

that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!!

Here we go, thank you all for you prayers over the next few hours, days and weeks!! And also for the past hours, days, weeks and months!
I cant wait to update with good news!

Love you all, wish us luck, or better yet...PRAY!!

We had a busy day full of appointments and meetings today, but everything went well. We are ready to go. We are both starting to get a little anxious but overall we are both doing well.
Surgery is at 8:00 am but we have to be at the hospital at 5:30.
Please be praying for a good nights rest, our nerves and for everything to go smoothly!
Robb will be posting the updates for the next couple days.
Thanks in advance for your emails and comments we look forward to reading them when we wake up from surgery!

~Katie and Mindy

Pacey wanted to come in my suitcase!

Is something I hate, especially when it has to be for so long. I just got back from the cemetery trying to fit 3 weeks worth of visits into one. So now i am sad and fighting back the tears.
It was also time to wash the brenhams hospital blanket that i sleep with every night. I havent washed it until today (i know, i know thats gross, but it has "him" on it, he was wrapped up in it the whole time at the hospital). I begged robb to let me leave it the way it was but he insisted it be washed before we leave for mayo. Deep down i know i had to do it, for my own health but it is so hard. now everyone thinks i am crazy huh?
Three weeks is a long time to be gone from home. i am trying to savor every last minute of being in my home and playing with my puppy.
I am going to miss it all. Please pray that this time goes fast!

We were planning on flying out early tomorrow morning but b/c of some predicted rain in the forecast for tomorrow we are leaving tonight at 7:00 instead. We are being flown my a very generous man robb does some work with which is so great. After transplant i have to be extremely careful not to get sick so a commercial flight made me nervous about that, all the germs and everything, and plus we can get there in 1.5 hours and no layovers or anything. I am nervous though, i am not big on flying, good thing its a short flight.
Please be praying that all the last minute details fall into place and for safe travel. I will post when we get to our hotel!

Last night Robb and I went out to celebrate our anniversary (its not until the 14th) early since we will be at Mayo during the real day. We are so glad we took a few hours out of our busy weekend to do that.
We had dinner and went to see the movie "Fireproof" it was so good and we both left with a promise to each other to be a better spouse. It was life changing. You must go see it!

I cant wait to get my transplant
I cant wait to get my ports taken out
I cant wait to burn everything that has to do with kidneys and dialysis
I cant wait to get rid of everythihg that remids me of this awful time
I cant wait to talk to people about something other than kidneys
I cant wait for this blog to turn back to brenham stuff, the way i intended it.
I cant wait to have my energy back
I cant wait to be free
I cant wait to move on with my life!

Let's Go!!

I am getting my transplant in 7 days!!!

I am so excited!

A few prayer requests:

Obviously that the surgery goes well and the kidney takes well right away
For a quick and painless (i know i am dreaming) recovery
For Mindy's surgery to go well and for a quick and painless recovery for her too
Mindy has come down with a little cold, please pray that she feels better SOON!
That I dont come down with anything.
For our families
For our nerves
For safe travel
For everything to come together quickly in terms of travel and lodging accommodations.
That i will get everything done that needs to be before we leave, my list is long and keeps growing!
And most importantly prayers of praise and thanksgiving to our wonderful Maker for this amazing blessing of a new life for me!

~Thank you all SO MUCH for all of your prayers and support during this crazy journey. I wouldnt be where i am at today if it wasnt for all of you, i feel very blessed!

She's APPROVED!!!

I am getting my new kidney on the 8th!!! Whoo-hoo!!

Can you believe it??

God is so good!

The woman who made my new blog design is offering a contest for a free blog design. If you would like to enter leave a comment on her blog about what you like about my blog makeover and you will be entered to win! You have until the 3rd to enter and the winner will be drawn on the 4th. Good Luck!!
Also if you dont win she is offering a great deal on makeovers for the month of October. $40 plus the cost of the digital kit (usually between $3-$8)!
Cant wait to see all of your new layouts!!