Team reports slight improvement as Baby Kate arrives!!!

This morning we learned that Mark's creatinine has decreased! Although this is considered to be a slight improvevement, we are happy to hear some good news. We are trying to not get too excited about this news as the transplant team has warned us to stay "cautiously hopeful." Creatinine is a chemical found in the blood that is used to predict kidney function. Mark's creatinine was around 5.0 when we arrived for surgery last week. It dropped to around 4.9 and 4.7 this weekend. Typically, successful transplants cause creatinine levels to drop significantly (several points). So, the decrease of .1 to .3 was not a good sign. This morning, we found out that Mark's creatinine is now at 3.9. Although this isn't as much of a decrease as the Transplant Team would like, it is at least a step in the right direction. This means that the treatments and medications may be helping to combat the rejection. The transplant team is planning on having Mark complete at least 5 more plasmapheresis treatments. They are anticipating that he will be hospitalized until at least Saturday. However, they are completing a new scan of the transplanted kidney in the morning. We are praying that the scan will continue to show good blood flow. If there is good blood flow, we still have hope for saving the kidney.

In the midst of all of this, Courtney and Greg's baby girl decided to bless us with her arrival! Kate Mallory Drury was born at 3:13 this morning. She weighed 8 lbs and 5 oz and is 20.5 inches in length. Kate is absolutely beautiful! She has a head full of black hair and has Courtney's full lips! Sorry Greg-Baby Kate looks like her Mommy!!! I was so happy to be there for Kate's delivery. Courtney and Greg were on their way home from Lexington when Courtney started having some contractions. Although Courtney objected, Greg made her go to the hospital in Corbin since they were driving through. It is a good thing he did, because she was in labor! Mom, Dad, Josh, Aunt Sheila, and I headed down to Corbin soon after. Courtney ended up having a cesarean section due to fluctuations in Kate's heart rate. When I left Corbin this morning, Courtney was very fatigued and in some discomfort. So, please add her to your prayers as well.