6 months & counting!

This week marks my 6-month anniversary of my transplants.  I'm doing very well physically...about 85% & much more comfortable than pre-surgery.  Praise God!! 

Let me tell you about waking from my 12-hour nap that took place 6 months ago on June 18...

I can't believe that I can remember this because I was told that it happened while I was still in the operating room.  I remember starting to wake from anesthesia & realizing that my prayer was answered--the medical team was asking me to cough because they were going to remove the tube in my throat.  It was uncomfortable but I told myself "wow this isn't too bad...why was I afraid of this?"  So, God answered my prayer before I even left the O.R.--amazing!!  Another thing I remember as I was waking were 2 comments: "Her blood sugars are in the 600's."  That alarmed me, but I knew that they had it under control.  Nobody else seemed worried because they broadcasted it with all of the other vitals & blood levels so I guessed it was a normal part of post-surgery. 

The other comment was:  "Look, she's peeing!!"  That meant that my new kidney was joining his new friends (my old kidneys). We later learned that my original kidneys weren't removed.  Once Meg was removed & the surgeons could actually see my kidneys, they decided to keep them because they weren't too large. Also, their function is decreasing but they are still working well.  So, now I have 3 kidneys!

I headed to the 1st stage of recovery in the ICU.  The next several hours were really busy.  I had 2 nurses dedicated to my care & they were constantly doing something to or for me.  After I was stable enough, Todd was able to join me in the ICU.  At first, I was hesitant to have him with me because I didn't know how he would handle seeing me in this amount of pain.  He didn't like to see me in pain before surgery.  But this time it was different--I needed to go through this pain as part of the recovery process.  He handled everything well & I was really thankful that he could be there.
 
This is me at 7am.

I had tubes coming out of almost everywhere! I remember asking for lollipops (swabs with water).  You'll see one in my hand.  I still wasn't allowed to swallow any water so they had a small tube in my throat going to my stomach.  My mouth & throat were uncomfortably dry.  I was awake & able to talk.  Looking back, I can't believe how coherent I was so soon after surgery.  The pain meds were given very frequently & kept it pretty well under control.  By the time I would start to sleep, it was time for pain med.  It reminded me of labor contractions...just as I would start to relax, another wave of pain came.   

 

 

 Around 3pm--Dr. Cameron made me happy when he removed the tube from my nose to stomach & also removed 1 of the tubes in my neck.  Ahhhh--what a relief!!  I'm not a big fan of really cold drinks with ice so I never thought I would get so excited about being advanced to tiny sips of cold water & an occasional ice chip.









 Late in the afternoon (about 24 hours after surgery had started), I was transferred to a chair.  It exhausted me to be vertical--wow, was I weak!  I quickly befriended a pillow.  The abdominal pain was really starting to kick in so every hiccup or cough or even sniff was a major ordeal.  I was encouraged to try to cough to loosen any fluid that may have settled in my chest.   

Before surgery, we had been told that I could be in the ICU for a few days & may even have to go back into the OR if there were complications.  Because of God's provision of healing & amazing caregivers (including my husband), I left the ICU within 24 hours of surgery!

As I was being transferred from ICU to the next stage, the transporter asked how I was feeling.  I said "I guess I'm as good as I can be just 24 hours after a surgery".  He said "do you realize that you just had 1 of the largest surgeries that we do here at Hopkins?"  That really struck me because I hadn't looked at it that way before.  I was grateful because I knew that I was really ahead of the recovery schedule & I could feel God watching over me.

I was about to face my worst night while in the hospital.  Talk to you on the next post.....

Belinda

The day I got the call--The rest of the Story

Final thoughts from June 17...

Throughout the afternoon, various medical staff came into our room to check me or discuss the surgery and anesthesia procedures.  I didn't have many questions this time because I had a chance to ask them in January.  As before, I shared with the anesthesiologist my only concern about the whole procedure: waking up & knowing that a tube was in my throat.  I couldn't explain this fear...it just was real to me.  He assured me that I would be sedated enough to deal with it but they would get it out as soon as they could.  In the ICU, they would need to leave the tube in my throat until I was stable, but I would need to be alert enough to communicate a little with staff.  He said that it may be in for a few days. Expressing my concern gave me peace.  

I was getting acclimated to life in a hospital...just as I would start to relax & close my eyes, someone else would come in.  We were on the 7th floor and the heli pad was above us so we could hear the choppers coming & going.  At one point, it was quiet in our room & we both noticed a helicopter leaving the hospital.  We had been wondering if my new organs had arrived yet.  A few minutes later, one of the surgeons came into the room & told us that everything was going well & the medical team just left to get my organs.  So, it was awesome to hear the specific chopper that would be carrying my precious cargo.  We found it interesting to learn that some of the surgical team travels to procure the organs & make sure they're ok. The other part of the team is responsible for getting the recipient ready.  

An estimated surgery time was mentioned--4:00.  In January, surgery was delayed several times, so I didn't really count on that being the actual time.  As 4:00 approached, there wasn't much communication from the medical staff.  I assumed that this meant surgery would be delayed or possibly cancelled.  However, a little after 4:00, my nurse opened the door & said "let's go".  I said "where are we going? is surgery really going to happen?"  She said that she would double check & quickly returned with a big smile & "yes!"      

So, I hopped in the wheelchair & down the hall we went.  As we traveled, I had to tell myself that this was actually going to happen.  I had prepared myself for a 2nd false alarm, just in case.    Now, it was feeling real!

It's difficult to describe what I was feeling from that moment until I went under anesthesia.  I wasn't afraid.  I can't remember any specific emotion.  I simply felt like this was The Plan & like time stood still as it was being carried out.  I felt this overwhelming sense that God was orchestrating every single second & every move that was made.  (He does this all of the time but I rarely stop to think about it...now I was acutely aware of it.)  I have never doubted that God could take away this disease from me.  However, I never thought it was His plan to do so.  I thought that this was part of my life story so now it was coming true.

We arrived at the surgical entrance & Todd had to leave me.  I would have preferred that we stay together because he was with me for every other step.  However, I knew that this was something that God & I had to do alone.  A few more turns & hallways & we arrived at my surgical suite.  I waited at the door & the anesthesiologists & surgeons met me there.  (There needs to be multiple of each because they need breaks due to the length of the surgery.)    

They asked me to confirm my name & what procedure I was having performed.  I said "1 liver & 1 kidney, please!"  I told them that I have been tormented by this liver for a long time & want to see what it looks like, so I requested pictures of my kidneys & liver.  They laughed & said that they usually don't get this request but were happy to do so & asked for our email address.  I thought they would send it to us days later.  They surprised Todd by sending it to him during the procedure.  

Then, they opened the 2 huge doors to the operating suite.  I wouldn't call it a room because it seemed really big & bright & shiny with lots of people in it.  On a lighter side, it felt like being on "Let's Make a Deal" tv show when they say "here's what we have for you behind door #1!"  They said, "Would you like to walk in & climb up on the table?  Most of our liver transplant patients aren't able to do this."  Of course I wanted to...1 last piece of independence...

So, I walked into the room & climbed up the 1st step of the stool & stopped.  I remember trying to hold my gown closed as I stepped up.  Then I laughed at myself...thinking how silly that was because pretty soon the gown would disappear :)

I was on the 1st step & then stopped & looked around at all that was happening all around me.  One person was focusing on me--the anesthesiologist.  Everyone else was busy preparing whatever part of the procedure they were responsible for.   I felt the nudge to speak to everyone (way out of my comfort zone).  In a fairly loud voice that stopped everyone, I let them all know that they were being covered in prayer by hundreds of people so they weren't alone in this.  I remember several smiles & several looks of amazement.  (Or maybe they were thinking "give her the anesthesia so we can proceed with this surgery".) 

By declaring that aloud, even more peace came over me by reminding myself about the prayer team that surrounded us.  I climbed onto the table & positioned myself on the narrow, cold, metal table as instructed.  I already had the IV port in place so the anesthesiologist connected me to some meds.  He said that he was going to give me a "glass of wine"...meaning that they would start by lightly sedating me.  (We had been told that I would be under light sedation for about an hour while they prep me & then the heavier anesthesia would start later when the surgery began.)  

I remember telling the anesthesiologist (who had a very, caring look in his eyes) "I like wine, but I haven't had it for a very long time...I'm a cheap date...it won't take much...   I'm sure I was mumbling by that point, because that's all that I remember until I awoke several hours later.  

I'll stop here & begin again when I woke up the next day...

Thanks for traveling with me back in time...
Belinda

   

The day I got the call--Part 2

To continue on my thoughts from June 17...

We had safe travels, but hardly said a word to each other.  We were either on the phone or silently processing all that was happening or about to happen...

As I experienced on our January false alarm, I was calm until we were in downtown Baltimore, turning off of I-83 & could see Johns Hopkins ahead of us.  For some reason, that view makes it seem more real.  So, once we rounded that corner, we couldn't park fast enough for me...I wanted to move onto the next step.  

In January, we arrived in the middle of the night & the hospital lobby & hallways were almost empty. It felt like I was the only patient there.  On that visit, we went directly to the kidney/liver transplant floor.  So, initially, it felt like more was happening upon our arrival.  This time was different in that we arrived at a very busy time of the morning. 

We walked at a pretty rapid pace, thinking that they were waiting for us.  We got to Admissions about 10AM, I checked in, and they said "have a seat".  After a short while, they completed some paperwork, and asked a ton of questions...did I want a mammogram or GYN exam while I was here?...  have I been out of the country recently?...insurance questions...living will questions...on and on...  I was compliant, but really just wanted to go upstairs because it seemed odd that in January I didn't go through this whole process--we went straight to the transplant prep process.  

Needless to say, I wasn't too thrilled when we had been sitting in Admissions for 1 hour & nothing had happened.  I called & texted people to utilize my energy.  I called my transplant coordinator to make sure that she knew I was in the Admissions office. (this really made Todd shake his head.) He had no doubt that they knew I was there...I just wanted to make sure.  I guess I was hoping they would say "come on up to the transplant floor instead of sitting in Admissions".  Yes, they were aware that I was there but they said that I should wait there for someone to get me.  Oh well...I tried :) 

As I was anxiously waiting (& not utilizing their comfy chairs), I looked around at everyone else sitting calmly.  This was one of the many times during this adventure that God reminded me that when we pass someone, we usually don't know their story.  I had walked into the hospital on 1 of the biggest days of my life & right beside me could have been someone coming for a routine check up or for something very minor.  We can never try to understand someone without knowing their story.   

Finally, around noon (yes, 2 hours later) a transport came to wheel me to the liver/kidney transplant floor.  When we reached our room, they were waiting for me.  I still felt like everything was moving slowly.  I got into a gown & they took my vital signs, did some bloodwork & EKG, and started an IV.  Then we were told that they would wait for my test results to make sure I was ready for a transplant & to make a final check for compatibility.  

So, the waiting continued...  The nurse told me to just rest & they would tell us when they knew more.  I had not slept well the night before, but I couldn't relax enough to sleep.  I was calm, but my brain was on overload.  Also, I knew that I would be taking a REALLY long nap during surgery.  In many ways, the waiting that morning felt longer than the 2 years that I had been on the transplant list.  Still, God knew the plans that He had for me...I just wanted to know some more details about that plan :)

To be continued on my next post....

With love,

Belinda  

The day I got the call--Part 1

I'm now 3 months post surgery & doing well.  I'm trying to adjust to some side effects of the medications:  lack of concentration, "foggy" brain, and some double vision problems, but my medical team says that they are normal for this part of my recovery & that I'm right on track & actually ahead of a normal recovery schedule in some ways, so I'm really thankful.  I'd like to start sharing about this whole adventure starting with the day that I got the call from Hopkins...

June 17--For those of you who don't know, Todd & I work with the same ministry--Servants. I work in the office about 3 days each week.  Todd works fulltime but is often out of the office working at clients' homes or doing assessments.  So, our schedules only overlap in the office about 2 days per week.  Well, God's plan was for them to overlap on June 17.  

Todd had gone to the office very early that morning & I arrived there around 7:30.  I had just organized my day & sat down at my desk when my cell phone rang.  I saw that it was my transplant coordinator, Katie.   Over the past 2 years, she had called me occasionally for various reasons--most of the time it was about getting tests done or to tell me where I was positioned on the waiting list.  My heart rate didn't increase when I saw her name on my phone like it did early in the process.  

I casually answered the phone. She asked me how I was feeling & I told her that I had been feeling worse than MY normal for the past several weeks (congested to the point that I doubted they would put me under anesthesia).  However, that week the congestion was gone & I had been feeling pretty well.  Katie said "great--because we have a potential donor for you."  

I was excited, but calm.  When I was placed on the transplant waiting list, we had been told that we would likely have up to 24 hours' notice before I needed to be at the hospital.  This was because many donors are on life support & the medical team has more time to process the transplant.  If you read my January post when I had a false alarm, you'll see that I had about 8 hours' notice from my 1st call until when they called & told me to head to the hospital.  

This time was different...I asked Katie when I could expect to receive the 2nd call (as I had received in January).  She said "this situation is different--the donor will soon being taken to the Operating Room so we need you to come now.  How soon can you be here?"  I told her that I wasn't at home so I needed to go there & talk to our daughters (who were still asleep) & get some things in order.  She asked if we could be at Hopkins by 10:00.  I told her that we would do our best.  Her only directions were to go to the admissions office at Hopkins & then let her know when we arrive.  Here's my processing:  "It's 7:30 now...I could put things in order on my desk & be home by 8:00...it takes about 1 hour to get to Hopkins...that leaves 1 hour to talk with Sara & Carly & get what I need at home..."  

Ok--NOW my heart rate was racing!!  I'd love to tell you that I dropped to my knees in a thankful prayer.  However, I've been truthful through this whole blog, so I need to tell you that I sat at my desk & closed my eyes & said "what do I do next?... if I could just have a little more time, God...how can I be bold enough to ask for more time when I've been waiting for this for 2 years...why do I want more time?--that's ridiculous!"  My thoughts were so jumbled.  I was thankful but really couldn't process what was happening.

If you check back to my post on June 16, you'll see that I had just been moved up the list to get transplants from a wider region.  Because of that move, I really felt that the call would come soon but I felt it would be later that week.  On my desk were many tasks in progress.  For some reason, I thought my transplant call would be coming the following week.  So, my to-do list for that day included the completion of tasks to get ready for me being out of the office for an extended period of time.  So, the thought of several loose ends on my desk didn't give me peace. It's not that my co-workers couldn't handle them, it's just that some of the things would need an explanation. 

I didn't see Todd in his office, so I assumed he was in the warehouse.  He later told me that he had been in the prayer room.  His time with God that morning is an amazing part of this adventure, but I'll let him share that with you, so ask him if you want to know.  A few minutes later, Todd came back to his office.  I said "you better pack up...it's time to go."  He said, "Where are we going?"  All I said was "Hopkins".  He looked surprised, but not alarmed (I guess he also thought we would be getting a 2nd call).  I told him that we needed to be at Hopkins immediately.  Todd prayed over us & for the donor's family & then we soon left the office.

Another God thing--as we were leaving the parking lot, our co-worker, Ryan was coming.  He had been off work for a few weeks to spend time with his family & their newborn daughter.  This was his 1st day back.  So, Todd said "Tag...I'll call you on our way to Hopkins to clue you in on what's going on--not sure when I'll be back in the office."   

My next step was to call a specific friend for 2 reasons:  I knew that with 1 call I could get the prayer chain started at church & also hear a calming voice that would not be as jumbled as my mind & speech were, but that would pray over me.  I had made the right call--Amanda calmed me & re-assured me that we would be surrounded by prayers, starting with the one that she prayed over the phone. I felt a huge sense of peace & I remember wanting to jump up & down (even though jumping was very painful for me).  I just wasn't sure what to do with my emotions--laugh in happiness, cry (tears with thankfulness & the reality that another call had come), a guarding of my heart to not be too anxious in case this was another false alarm.... It was all of those combined but then reality told me that I needed to get into action--the emotions would have to temporarily be put aside.  We each made phone calls on the way home.  I called my parents & they were available to help with our girls.  I was very thankful for that

We were home by 8:00 & woke Carly & Sara.  We gave them the option of coming with us, but they chose to stay home (which was the best choice because we didn't know how long we would be waiting at the hospital or when someone could take them home).  After talking with them, we put our to-do lists into action.  There wasn't much conversation--we were very focused.  By 9:00ish we were heading south on I-83.  It was a much more comfortable ride this time.  Daylight & dry roads.  (In January, we had a middle of the night drive with wet, snowy roads.)

I was very thankful for technology.  We called & texted people during the drive.  I didn't have much time to talk, so texting was really a blessing.  To explain how focused Todd was:  I was clipping my toenails & throwing them out of the window.  (Purely nervous energy...it needed done & I wasn't sure how soon I would be able to bend enough to do it.)  Well, he never noticed!!  I had been waiting for his comments about how strange I was :)  He had never said anything...his mind was really full!

I would go through periods of calm & then I'd feel my heart start to beat faster. I had to keep reminding myself of who was in charge and I kept reciting Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  and Phillippians 4:6-7 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  That would calm me as I reminded myself that this wasn't a surprise to God...this was in His plans...I have hope for a new body.  If my mind would start to wander again, then I had to turn it over to Him again.  

I think I'll stop there because this got really long.  Thanks for listening!  To be continued...

With love,

Belinda

Better slow than never...

Hi everyone!  

I'm baaaaack!  (AND without Meg the 10 pounder!!!)  Todd did such a great job with posting while we were at Hopkins.  Once we were home, he turned it over to me & you see how well I did at keeping up with it....  I'm a new liver now, but not a prompt blogger.  Prior to my surgery, I had never blogged "just because" & always felt the Spirit leading me.  Just haven't felt the Spirit encouraging me to blog since the surgery.  

For the first few weeks at home, I was sleeping only 2 hrs at a time, pretty uncomfortable with digestive issues & mobility, adjusting to life outside of the hospital, Todd & I focusing on taking care of me (everything took a lot longer than pre-surgery), getting rest & hanging out with Sara & Carly.  Seemed like a REALLY long time since we spent time together.  They had come to visit me at the hospital but it wasn't the same as spending time with them at home.        

So, a HUGE thank you for your patience & for many of you checking with us to say "haven't seen a blog post...how are you?"  We were REALLY blessed by the love & care that surrounded us & continues to do so.  

Here are some ways that people helped (just to name a few) meals, cards, emails, calls, visits, decorating our house for our homecoming, setting up a 1st floor bed for me, weeding, cleaning, transportation & errands, shopping with Sara & Carly, groceries, friends taking Carly & Sara to hang out with them, keeping me supplied with plenty of blueberries to support my habit (glad I didn't miss that season!), putting us on prayer lists, lawn mowing, caring for our girls while we were in the hospital, and many more.  

This is just a preliminary post to say "I'm doing well & getting stronger each day.  My medical staff is very pleased with my current medical condition & say that I'm ahead of most patients".  

I'll post again soon to start to chronicle the time during my surgery & since my hospital discharge & put my thoughts in writing.  I've been getting more sleep so that is a blessing.  My disrupted sleep patterns were effecting my mental abilities.  I can function fine; however, I am having difficulty with deeper thinking. (My new friend, Prednisone, is the cause of that.)  Also, with my A personality I think I should have it processed in my mind before trying to share with it others. That's why I haven't posted yet.  However, I know that some of you are wondering what's happening in my new world so I wanted to start somewhere.  

I'll never be able to praise God enough for this adventure--the new organs AND the waiting time.  I'm slowly re-entering the public world.  Until recently, my travels solely included blood labs & Johns Hopkins.  However, God gave me great peace during this time of seclusion & often solitude.

Here is my 1st card.  It's from my friend, Micah, and his family.  Their yellow lab, Ben, is pictured on it.  He's the dog that I kept seeing in my room while I was hallucinating shortly after surgery.  I wasn't afraid...I just kept thinking someone would step on this sweet dog.  This picture also shows the awesome view that we had from our room.  What a blessing!
 

Love & peace to you all!
Belinda (without Meg!!!!) 

                                                       At one of my Hopkins clinic visits

Info for Visitors and Well Wishers

It is so good to be home! We have been truly blessed! However, the journey continues and there are still many challenges to overcome, by God's grace we will continue to move forward.
We need your help with this as well---there are a few do's and don'ts for friends and visitors.
1) Please do not send flowers-Belinda's immune system has been intentionally confused/shut down, so it won't reject the new organs. Flowers and house plants are not allowed because of bacteria they carry. Belinda can't even water the plants that are already here.
2) Please call before visiting--if you have a cough, cold, or allergies please know we love you but we ask that you stay away.
3) No hugs or physical contact while visiting--with Belinda anyway, I'll take all I can get!! :-)
4) Please do not bring pets, and don't get offended if we don't visit you if you own pets--again her immune system is compromised. Cats and birds are a definite "no contact" animal-even to the extent that if I am working in a home with these I need to undress outside and shower before contacting Belinda.

Lastly--if you really wanted to send flowers, instead may we suggest a donation to Servants in honor of Belinda's recovery. We are truly blessed to be cared for by so many people!

Goodbye Gown

Guess What?????

Finally--Goodbye Gown!!!!

Friday Evening Update

Belinda had a good day today. We both got good rest last night. She finally got relief from her indigestion and food started tasting better today. She was able to drink her required 96 ounces of water, and we walked about 3/4 of a mile total today (not all at the same time).

Her strength and her appetite are coming back!  The medical team is talking about a potential Monday discharge. They want to monitor a few changes they made recently and if everything is stable we are on track to head back to York early next week! ;-)

God is so good!!

Wednesday Morning Update

We both had good rest last night. Pain levels regulated. We are eager for the promise of a new day.

OT started this morning. When the walker arrived she wasn't too happy--when he showed up.... She is thinking "surgery, what surgery" she did a non-stop lap around the entire unit! 

Once again we are blessed by our Amazing God! 

Tuesady night update

Today was a challenging day. The beauty of the red sky after the storm tonight reminds us that God's promises are new everyday. We trust a fresh start tomorrow and a new day. Praying for a good nights rest tonight and the nausea to remain controlled. We are truly blessed!

I think it is Monday...

Monday 6 PM--What an amazing 6 days! Belinda has had some bumps in the road but overall she continues to improve. Today the last of her abdominal drains were pulled, her last neck port was pulled and the catheter is now out. She only has 2 IV ports in her left arm anymore. Walking has been a challenge as she can't get stable on her feet, the doctors are tweaking some blood pressure meds this afternoon to see if they can get this on track. She & I went through training today to prepare us for life with a new liver and kidney. There will be changes we need to make but we are super excited for the possibilities God will open for us through this. Continue to pray--we covet them!

Sunday June 21 Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day--Today is another amazing day--I am truly blessed! Belinda continues to do great and is getting stronger every day. It is hard to believe she is only 3 days post op and was up and walking this morning! Yesterday when she was a bit frustrated her surgeon reminded her that she had just undergone one of the most invasive surgeries they do at Hopkins. She has about 100 staples in her abdomen, externally, and who knows how many internally. To help her walk this morning was truly a blessing from God! I am amazed at the strength He has given her on this journey. Prayers have truly been answered!

I am going to include a few pictures of the liver being removed, don't look if your not curious. There is one I will not include because I don't have the medical departments permission to use it; however, it really gives perspective to the size of her diseased liver. The person in the OR holding it is not a tiny person. She is holding it in front of her own belly and it stretches the entire way across her abdomen and from her rib cage to her waist. It is clear to see why Belinda was in such discomfort and had digestive challenges. There simply wasn't room for her stomach to do its work.

The picture above is removing the liver from Belinda. Her incision runs from her breastbone down about 6" and then turns left and right about 8", it makes a Mercedes symbol. She has a second incision about 8" long below that and to the right. This was for the kidney transplant.

This is the liver removed. I think Dr. C told me it weighed over 7 pounds, more than double the size it should be. The best I can figure this is about a 2 gallon bucket they have it in. You can see her liver was covered with hundreds if not thousands of cysts.

I was blessed by some scripture a good friend shared with me this morning as I drove home, it truly sums up our journey.
"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.  He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord." Ps 40:1-3

If you don't believe in miracles and the power of prayer--call me, we need to have lunch together.

Saturday June 20 Morning Update

What a difference 24 hours makes! God is so good!  We truly cheerish the prayers of everyone that has  been lifting Belinda and our family to God.  He has heard your prayers and continues to answer them.

A dear Brother texted me at 5:30 this morning reminding me of a verse on his heart-Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer". Be assured God hears our prayer and we rejoice in His hope of healing for Belinda! This morning I am rejoicing with her as she is feeling a great deal better than yesterday and we are eager to get her up and walking today.

Last night we were blessed with a restful evening where we could both sit and talk as we overlooked the beautiful night sky of Baltimore, it was our "date night" and we truly were blessed as we reflected on God's grace and provsion in our lives. Belinda was able to share with me her emotions as she stepped up onto the operating room table. I won't expand on this but will allow her to when she has the strength to post her own post. Be assured it was an amazing time as she was able to proclaim everyone's prayers over the medical team in the room, she said there was a very positive response and they were clearly grateful to have hundreds praying for them.

I need to back up a bit because, in my fatigue, I realize there are gaps in the blog. I was sending lots of texts and did Facebook posts as well, it got confusing and I missed things in various places.  Thursday night Belinda was transferred out of ICU, we rejoiced in the upgrade but it took a toll on Belinda as well. The move was exhausting and the orientation to the new staff wore her out. New meds were introduced and the chemical changes created hallucinations and stress on her body. In the early morning hours her BP elevated, breathing was labored, and her oxygen levels diminished so the team needed to restart her oxygen assistance. On top of this her pain levels, because of the stress, were requiring much more pain meds. It was a long night.

Dr. Cameron stopped in Friday morning. This was definitley God's perfect timing, Kairos Time, as he was able to encourage and affirm Belinda. He explained that the hallucinations are normal because of all of the steroids and the pain meds. He said in fact, at times, they have had to send security into rooms to help restrain patients. I am glad she was only delivering pizza, seeing dogs on the floor, sailing on a boat and other not so scary things. She was frustrated because she couldn't control the situation. He assured her she is days ahead of other double transplant patients. His calming nature and confidence was very reassuring. They adjusted some meds and changed some things around.

Shortly after these changes Belinda's parents arrived with our daughters. We had to cut their visit short because Belinda was again exhausted and not really able to communicate, she clearly needed more rest and the new pain med was going to allow that.

She fianlly slept for 3 hours! By 4 PM the nurses were able to get her out of bed and transferred her to a chair again. She began sipping water and ice chips and her kidney really kicked in and she started passing water again! 

We were able to sit up and talk into the evening and then she slept for several 3 hour periods through the night. This morning when the doctors checked in they are really excited. She will have more tubes removed today, she will be allowed to get washed up and she is encouraged to be up and walking today! We are pumped!

If today goes as anticipated we are hoping to see a few visitors tomorow and in the coming days. People have been asking about cards and flowers. We cannot accept any flowers. The potential for bacterial is too high and Hopkins will not allow them in the rooms and advise us against them in our home. Instead of flowers an email or card to the house would be fine. Thanks everyone, we treasure you joining us on this journey.