First Week Over

We have just returned to our cozy little room on the second floor of "The BIG HOUSE."

It is nice to be "home" from the clinic, though the throngs of patients were more like a dribble, today. I don't believe many from this house were out shopping, because transplantees don't go out into the crowds and masses. At least, not at first.

Everything continues to look good at Loren's checkups. Monday will be his first biopsy, taking place at the hospital, instead of the clinic. This biopsy will take a few samplings of heart muscle to check for rejection. No one expects rejection in the first one, since Loren is still fairly immunosuppressed with drugs.

We talked to Dr. E. again today. He is the chair of the department and a real down to earth kinda guy. He told us some of the things to expect in the coming months. For instance, almost everyone experiences some degree of rejection. Usually a little later, as the drugs are being tapered downward. It is not a cause for alarm, it simply means an adjustment to meds.

Also, it is not out of the ordinary for a transplantee to end up back in the hospital for a brief stay, due to a serious infection. The 90 days post transplant are all about balance. Finding the right state where one is not so immunosuppressed that they acquire an infection, and conversely, not making the immune system so strong as to allow rejection of the organ. It makes me very thankful that doctors are managing this, and not me!

If you want a brief overview (one page) of what is involved with the transplant process, you can click on this.
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The mission to get the snow tires on the van was successfully accomplished. I must say, I am so very proud of how the family is taking care of things.

Jason has to keep tabs on the vehicles, oil, air pressure, etc. He is making sure the van tires are all set for Ardith and Sharon to come visit us tomorrow. I can hardly wait!

All of the children have had to pitch in and do their share (and mine) of running the home. Kendra completed her first ever shopping trip for all the Thanksgiving goodies. She had Jason to drive, and Grandpa to oversee, but she made up the lists and did the actual shopping.

And, speaking of my mother and father, we could not be up here, away from the children, unless we knew there was a stabilizing force back home to keep an eye on things. Enter, Grandma and Grandpa Baker. They are in their 80's and still fairly spry. Nolan had Grandpa reading him books within 10 minutes of their arrival :-) Mom is the calm person who can answer questions in the kitchen, help out with the chores, and check on someone's schoolwork. Dad taught junior high science for "several" years, so I know the kids are in good hands.

THANKS to my MOM and DAD.

We have had lots of help from our family, with little gifts, large gifts of money, and of course, fervent prayer support.

Our church family and neighbors have been wonderful to us, also. They have watched the children, picked up college students and been very generous with gifts, both monetary and food. (lots and lots of great meals :-)

Thanks to EVERYONE. We will never be able to properly thank you.

God has blessed us through all of you.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

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