Today's Update

Mark's visit with the Transplant Follow Up Team went well today. His creatinine was 1.3. It has been fluctuating a bit...was 1.0, 1.2, 1.1, and now 1.3. All of the numbers are within normal limits. The Team says this fluctuation is common. Mark is scheduled to have the stent that was placed in the ureter of the new transplanted kidney removed on Monday. He will have a final visit with the Transplant Team on Wednesday and then we are heading home! We have enjoyed Baltimore and are beyond blessed with the outcome of the transplant, but are eager to return to Kentucky! Thanks for the continued prayers and support!

Home away from home

At last, here are some pictures of the town home we are renting in Baltimore. The town home is in a wonderful location in Baltimore...we would recommend it to anyone coming to the area. We have enjoyed staying in Baltimore, but are eager to return to Kentucky next week! We are keeping our fingers crossed that we can leave Baltimore next Tuesday! Mark is doing great. We will post information from our next appointment with the Transplant Team on Wednesday.

Transplant Clinic Appointment

Mark had a clinic appointment today with the Transplant Team. His blood work continues to show that everything is in normal limits. We are thrilled that the transplanted kidney appears to continue to be functioning well! Thanks for the continued prayers!

Out of the hospital!

Mark was discharged on Thursday afternoon! We are thrilled to be out of the hospital! Mark has been resting at the town home we are renting and is happy to be eating home cooked food! We go the the hospital 3 times a week to allow the transplant Team to continue monitoring the function of the kidney and the consistency of his blood as he is on a blood thinner. This morning, Mark's blood work indicated his creatinine has dropped back to 1.0! The adjustments in the medication appear to have resolved the rejection he was demonstrating last week. We will continue to post updates as we receive results of his blood work. We will remain in Baltimore until at least March 6th!

Signs of Improvement!!

Thank you all for your prayers! Mark is showing signs of improvement...his creatinine has dropped back down to 1.5. The Transplant Team seems to think that he does have mild cellular rejection, but that the rejection can be managed medically through additional steroids and additional immunosuppressant medications. The fact that Mark has responded so quickly and so favorably to the steroids is a good indication. Mark will not be discharged until around Thursday to allow them to administer the medications and continue to monitor him. Again, thanks for your prayers and keep them coming!

Prayer Request

Mark's creatinine has increased from 1.2 to 1.7 from this morning to this evening. In addition, his potassium has been higher than it was last week. These could be signs of several things including: dehydration, obstruction in blood flow, or rejection. We just spoke with the attending physician who has ordered a few adjustments in Mark's medicine. In addition, the Team is planning on doing an ultrasound of the transplanted kidney sometime soon to try to learn more about the function of the kidney. Please keep Mark in your prayers!!!

A Chain of Love

Mom met her recipient today! It was an incredibly moving moment for us all! They spent some time getting to know one another and exchanged contact information. Mom and her recipient have a lot in common. They are very close in age. A second commonality was their love for their family. Mom's recipient has 13 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and another great grandchild on the way! It is a wonderful thought to think that Mom not only helped to restore her recipient's health, but also positively impacted so many people!

Mom was discharged on Monday and had her follow up appointment with her surgeon on Wednesday. Mark's creatinine is now 1.0! He is now on an oral blood thinner instead of heparin via IV. Thus, he will remain in the hospital through the weekend to allow for continuous monitoring of his blood consistency. We are hopeful he will be discharged on Monday.

Thanks for your continued prayers!