Happy Birthday Aaron

I'm slightly late writing this due to busy days getting Aaron from the hospital to the hotel. Although they discharged him on his birthday (Jan. 18) our wonderful doctors continue to hold on to Aaron. His lab levels have to be checked & meds adjusted to be exactly what he needs at the time and this early post surgery time is sensitive. He saw the doctor in clinic yesterday which totally wiped him out. I don't think he even realized how weak he would be since all went so smoothly in the hospital. Today he returns to the clinic for more labs & they will let us know later today about returning home. We are quite ready to be back in Catawba County but also want things to be right being that far from Duke. Labs will be done at home & results sent to Duke immediately but we also return to Duke weekly during the first month as adjustments are made. The first year after a transplant is critical so they will monitor Aaron closely during that time reducing the visits after that. We talked to several people at clinic that had transplants in the fall & the excitement in each one was a tremendous boost for us. All had such great stories to tell with the gift they had received. It truely is a gift for all that are blessed with it. Many have asked us if we know anything about the donor. No, not at this time but may have the chance in the future. We will be able to write to them but as each family grieves in different ways it will be their choice to share information with us. We pray for that family during this difficult time and continue to thank God that they so unselfishly shared with other families. We ask that you also keep Marie Mull and family in your prayers at the loss of her son Corey who passed away this week in China. They truly need all our prayers and love.

Until later.....

Barbara