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