Friends,
Just had to share our good news with you all!!!
The huge milestone we heard so much about in the days before and immediately following the transplant almost slipped right past me! The 14th was our three month anniversary with Joe's new liver! We had been so busy fighting rejection the whole month of May, and trying to get down (and keep down) the potassium, that I totally forgot the significance of that date.
On the 15th the girls and I had to keep a previously scheduled "date" to have their yearly academic testing, while a friend from church took Joe to have his last big meeting with his transplant surgeon, and the rest of the team. Joe said it was a tearful "good-bye" with our transplant coordinator. We had already gone through the same thing with our transplant nurse, who had left the team two months ago to stay home with her new baby. They each shared how, from the time they had met our whole family, they had felt a very strong bond with us, and had "rooted" for us, and prayed for us, and hoped we'd get an organ soon. They shared just how deeply our experiences had touched and affected them. From the very beginning, we so wanted for God to get all the glory in our lives. I really hope they have seen Jesus in us-- that He was the strength in our weakness.
From here on, we take medical issues to our hepatologist instead of the team. Because of the recent rejection, we still have to have labs done each week. And we still aren't getting the potassium thing under control. In spite of our best efforts to avoid foods high in the element, Joe's body just will not get rid of the stuff. He has taken two treatments already this week, in an attempt to get it out lf his system, and has had blood drawn every morning to check on those levels. Hopefully, we'll hear positive news on that front today. We can, however, have labs done at hospitals closer to home!
We are looking forward to a great summer, and hope you all will have one too!!!
Love, the Shore family