Surprise Blessings

It seems we experience more blessings than we could ever expect and this week realized just how much those blessings appear in clinic each time we are there. We met a 34 year old man who has experienced many health problems during his short life including 3 kidney transplant operations. Corey lost the first one within a few days but the 2nd lasted 17 years with him receiving the 3rd in August 2010. His mother shared with us a little about his story as he did labs and talked about the doctors which reinforced our love and admiration for this team of docs. She told us how the surgeon told Corey prior to surgery in August how he might open him up only to find there was no room for the kidney. Corey's response stunned the surgeon when he told him "The Lord didn't bring me this far to not get that kidney." After 8 hours of surgery, the doctor came out to tell the mom that they had to literally carve a place for the 3rd kidney but after what Corey said, he couldn't turn back. Corey is doing well & looks like a picture of health and has a wonderful attitude & gives God the glory. We have talked with so many people who have received organs at Duke and they all are so excited & willing to share with others the many stories. Each is different but so much is a shared story. Clinic is one of the happiest safehavens we have seen. If anyone is thinking about being a donor that would be a good place to visit. Aaron's labs were good & the trip was much better using 2 days for travel. We discovered last time that a one day trip is much too hard at this point. Aaron is still working on his appetite and sleep pattern. The soreness seems to be less each day and he is becoming more active. Please continue to pray for healing & could health.

And please pray for those needing transplants as we have a young woman in our church who needs a kidney now.

Until later.....

Barbara

Too Much, Too Soon

This week we had the bright idea of doing our Durham journey all in one day and let me say, it almost put us both down. Many times in the past 10 years we've driven this both ways and spent most of the day in the doctor's office without any problems other than being a little tired. Add to the mix a major surgery about one month out plus stress and time spent in the office and it makes for a hard day. By the time we drove in the driveway about 7pm we both were totally wiped out and Mo, our Labradoodle was pretty spent too. He was out within a short time and I wasn't far behind.

However hard that was, Aaron had a good appointment. He does have some side effects going on with one of the meds but hopefully an adjustment to that med will rectify the problem. Thankfully, we were able to pick up several of his meds that should have been in the mail prior to this but either hadn't been mailed or thye are out there somewhere in cyberspace and he can't be off them for even one day. That, in itself, can be nerve wrecking. We do thank God for a safe, sunny, warmer than usual trip and a good visit . Next time it will be an overnighter, you can count on that.

Until later.....

Barbara

Onward & Upward

This week has been a good change for Aaron as he is starting to feel better & possibly not quite as sore. His staples were removed and now just look like railroad tracks making it possible to stand more erect without the pulling. His appetite seems to be improving and his anti-rejection med level has improved. Otherwise life at the Hamrick house seems to be a little on the boring side. However, boring can be a blessing at times. Thus far, he has not had a big problem in his recovery but we have stayed home alot and been very careful with the germ control. It is a slow go and sometimes we both would like it to go much faster but to think where he has come from, things are good. It's also nice to see that there is NO snow in the forecast for our return to Durham this week. We were beginning to think we were causing the bad weather as it was running right along with the calls we were receiving prior to and including the actual transplant. Believe me, it is a much better drive without the snow!!! We hope each of you have a wonderful Sunday tomorrow and thanks again for your prayers for recovery.

Until later.....

Barbara

The Return

On Wednesday we returned to our safety net, the Duke post transplant group. Aaron is being monitored by many people but first & foremost are the nephrology group at Duke. Our main contact group however are the post transplant coordinators and they are wonderful. After 2 1/2 years of talking with Erynn (coordinator) on the phone we finally put a name & face together in clinic and she was even more caring & personable than on the phone if that is possible. To know that this group of transplant RN's is within contact 24/7 is a comforting thought. They encourage us to call about anything going on particularly since this is a new experience for both of us. We have nothing to gauge these symptoms with now having a new kidney & pancreas. Something may be totally normal and expected or it could be a life threatening problem or a risk of losing an organ.

Aaron is trying to do everything they ask him to do and even though he doesn't feel his best due to surgery he is really pushing himself some. He can't drive, can only pick up five pounds, must stay away from crowds, etc. so that limits him to home at this point. He has to like my driving & not be too grumpy about it. He's making great progress and has done well but Duke is particular about their patients & will monitor him very closely for a year or more. At that time it becomes less frequent but we still have that lifeline available.

Clinic went well this week although his Prograf levels were low (main anti-rejection med) and they have increased the amount he takes but they did reduce his prednisone (also anti-rejection) by one pill per day. His pill box absolutely looks like a small pharmacy but soooo worth it. We tease him that his two snacks per day are taking the pills morning & night.

We are also grateful for his caregivers at the VA who have been in contact this week and continue to care for him even from a distance. I think they are all excited for him to have improved health as they have seen him at the worst point of health problems. We give a special thanks to Kanni and Pam who are so reachable and never seem to think a question is too small to ask. They also try to make our lives easier. And thank you Kanni for checking on Aaron at Duke several times with your busy schedule. Also we thank our special VA doctors who have continued to follow Aaron's progress at Duke. All Aaron's doctors (Duke & VA) have been the epitome of caregivers with the emphasis on "care". A special thanks also to his surgeon, Dr. Collins, for the special "extra" care you provided. We cannot say enough about how you cared for us both. You will certainly have a special place in our hearts always. We now have labs scheduled in Hickory this week and of course wintry mix is in the forecast. Then we will return to Durham the following week so I can't wait to see the forecast for that week. Remind me next summer to not complain about the heat.

Until then....

Barbara

Ultimate Thanks

Throughout our health ventures we have tried to thank the many people who have been so kind and helped us in many ways. Today we want to thank those closest to us, those who have seen the worst and the best with us, our family. From the bottom of our hearts we thank each of the members of our family for all they have done. Many times Robert, Michael, Dana & Samantha were there to help when I could not handle the sugar lows or just needed advice on health problems. Thank God that He placed my two daughter-in-laws in health care fields. So many times Michael & Robert have come to my aid to either help with health issues or to help us with cutting wood and other things around the house. And the entire family has had to adjust our gatherings on numerous occasions and I know that was difficult at times. We also thank Christopher (Aaron's son in Kentucky) for all the calls & prayers. Even though he is far away we know he is always with us in thought and prayer. And we thank our wonderful grandchildren who have been real troopers all the way. I know they have had a real education in diabetes especially high & low sugar levels. I'm sure they were a little nervous at times but always hung in there with me. And even though Charlie didn't know it at the time, Aaron was in one hospital when he was born in another so I would travel from one to another - always showering in between. Rachel, Gracen & Emma have been so helpful to remind Aaron to check sugars (or at least ask me if he needed to do so) while Charlie, Mason and Sadie have just shown him their caring ways as they played with us. We heard from all of you almost daily during the hospital stay and loved it and you made us laugh. We love spending time with all of you and hope to get back to that soon. So to all of you from the youngest to the oldest: Mason, Sadie, Charlie, Emma, Gracen, Rachel, Christopher, Michael & Samantha, Robert & Dana - we love you all and pray for you daily. And we can't thank you enough but this is a stab at that thanks.

Love ya,

Grandma (Mom) and Aaron

A New Week

Here we are on Monday two weeks removed from that 5 hour snowy, icy trip to Durham for surgery. After a good trip home Friday and a Saturday that was not too bad, Sunday was not so good. Aaron is having more pain than he's had the entire time so he "finally" took a pain pill last night. Yes, he's quite hardheaded when it comes to taking medicine unless he just has to do it. He still has quite a bit of discomfort this morning and no, hasn't taken another pill. To be honest, with all the pills he's taking following transplant, I can't blame him. His pill regiment is like an extra snack morning and night. Hopefully he won't have too many months with this many pills but we know that some will be with him a lifetime. Thank the Lord research has discovered how the body rejects foreign organs and how to stop that rejection. We encourage all transplant patients to continue taking your medicine as prescribed after hearing that so many stop taking it & lose the organs after about ten years. You are worth the effort and have invested alot in this adventure. Thank you to all for the prayers, cards, visits & gifts. A special thanks to Kenny Mull who dropped by yesterday for a short visit and to Donna Wiles who has checked up on us so many times. We love you both. Today is filled with laundry & cleaning before returning to Durham. Pray for NO SNOW!!

Until later.....

Barbara

HOME

After receiving the ok from the transplant coordinator, we left Durham Friday morning for a long, tiring trip home. It seemed much longer than the 3 hours plus a grocery store stop that it included. We were so happy to be home & glad when Michael came by to visit as soon as we returned. We have missed everyone so much being in Durham but it was a necessary thing. We settled in with me doing laundry, cleaning, cooking (and yes, a birthday cake for Aaron finally). Aaron needed a nap and took no time in getting one while I met Emma at the bus stop. About 7pm Samantha, Emma & Mason came by for a little visit and cake. Emma & Mason looked like they had grown and we were all excited to see each other and catch up on the happenings. Thank you to everyone for the calls, texts, cards and especially for the prayers. Aaron's labs show he is doing well and his eating shows it too. He seems to be enjoying food after many years of struggling with little or no appetite due to kidney failure & diabetes.

We encourage a call before coming to visit during this first while and please delay your visit if there is any chance of passing a germ of any kind. His immune system is low due to the anti-rejection drugs & will be until they're able to get them to a lower level. They begin with massive doses & tweak them often. Also, we will be traveling back to Durham each week for awhile for a clinic appointment. We look forward to visitors whenever possible. Again, we give God the praise and glory for making this all possible and a huge thanks to the family of the donor for their gift to others in a devastating time in their lives. Please continue to pray for them and us that Aaron will have these organs a long time.

Until later.....

Barbara