1-11-11

After 6 calls to Duke for a transplant we have a go and January 11, 2011 will always be a memorable and blessed day for us. We thank God and all those who have prayed so much and been such a support system for us. On Monday the snow fell faster and deeper and we knew it was getting worse with every hour so of course I was praying that we didn't get a Duke call until after the winter storm but we did. Does that go with the scripture "O Ye of little faith". Who was I to think the Lord couldn't bring us through the storm safely. We were first put on standby at 10:30am. There was a person in need of a liver/kidney transplant who would come before Aaron if there was a match (and that was ok with us as the need was obviously great). We went through the day convincing ourselves that it was going to be that way but no, it wasn't to work that way. About 4:30pm, the coordinator called again to say that the liver transplant did not match but Aaron matched all crossmatches that they do. Still the surgeon did not want us on the road as he had to fly to get the organs. Within 10 minutes she called again to tell Aaron to eat & get on the road. We hurriedly changed to our 4wheel drive as we now had about 8 inches & we knew we were headed with the weather going eastward. If driving in that weather doesn't increase your prayer life, nothing will. Yet, there was a peace about us both as we drove 40/hr on I40 for 5 hours to get to Durham. It normally takes us 2 1/2 hours and Greensboro had icy roads along with freezing rain falling. The coordinator had still not called again as we pulled into the hotel parking to get settled so Aaron talked with her after unloading all our things and again she said wait, the surgeon has not called back yet.

The "little faith group" began to doubt that the organs could be procured & get back through the weather to Duke but alas, again this was not to be the case. Ten minutes after that phone call (and me getting ready for some much needed rest) the coordinator wanted us at the hospital and by 4am Aaron was going into the operating room. By 11:30am, he was being moved into ICU & the new day began with kidney functioning well & sugar levels normal (and no insulin). You can imagine how that is to Aaron after 24 years of insulin shots (over 25,000 shots) and 10 years of kidney failure. We still cannot believe that this has happened, realization hasn't set in yet.

As most post-surgical patients, he is encountering pain and nausea but the doctors & nurses at Duke are wonderful & keep telling him how well he is doing. He is presently being moved to a step down room (2311) from ICU after having walked a lap around the 2nd floor at noon today. Yes, that is 24 hours after surgery. Of course, he had a walker dragging all his attachments and 2 women (the nurse & his wonderful wife) helping him as he walked.

Please keep praying for his recovery that all those little things that are stumbling blocks will just be removed. And also pray for the family of the donor who is now a part of Aaron.

Until later.....

Barbara