Once again, I will begin by apologizing for not updating our blog! Unlike the past, we have a good excuse for not updating the blog. In the Spring, I was offered a faculty position teaching grads/undergrads pursuing careers in Speech-Language Pathology. After a great deal of prayer, we decided to move! Over the past several months, we have sold our home, bought a home, found a new school for Mark Thomas, and all of the other things that come with relocating. While we are enjoying our new home and I love my new job, Harlan will always be "home" and we miss our family and friends!
With respect to the status of Mark's transplant, my Mom was selected as the candidate for being a donor. While my Mom does not "match" Mark, she can donate in a paired exchange. In other words, Mom will donate to a stranger so that the stranger's donor will give to Mark. Last month, Mom and I traveled to Hopkins to complete the donor evaluation process. We learned last week that she was cleared to donate. Thus, at this point, Mom and Mark's names have been entered into a database. Hopkins will begin looking for matches. When they have identified a potential match, Mark and Mom will begin sending tissue samples to Hopkins. Once matching has occurred for the paired exchange, the transplants will be scheduled. However, there is really no way of predicting how long it will take to identify a match. We could remain in the database for 2 months, 2 years, or 2 days! Please continue to pray for our family! To be honest, we are trying NOT to think about the transplant and trying to just give it to God. Not knowing when the transplant will happen is difficult to say the least. We find comfort in the fact that God is in control of every detail of the situation! Thanks for your continued prayers!
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2 comments:
So glad to see an update.....had been wondering. Will now begin praying for a paired donation match.....so glad that Mark and his mom have signed up for this.
You don't know me, but I have been touched by your blog and check for updates periodically. My brother and I were on a paired donation listing but, sadly, additional physical complications emerged and by the time a potential match was identified, we had to back out.......so, I guess that is why I am so interested in Mark's journey. I continue to submit your names and situation for prayer at our church. You are doing the right thing.........that is what my brother and his wife did........lived each day, one day at a time, and squeezed the joy out of each day while turning it all over to God who intimately knows our needs. Will watch for future postings........you may want to check out www.LKDN.org. You may want to post your need for a possible donor/recipient pair and for info and just connecting with others going through similar circumstances.
To our Anonymous Follower,
I am thankful for your steadfast prayers for my family. It is touching to know that people I don't know pray for Mark. I am sorry to hear about your brother's story. Your willingness to help him in a time of need speaks to your Christ-like love. May God continue to bless you and your entire family!
Kellie
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