Meals for Kim and Frank

Janie Melin from the Encouragers class (First Baptist Church) is coordinating meals for Frank and Kim.  Please contact Janie for that calendar/schedule.

If you are providing meals, please note the following restrictions: CLICK HERE.

Humbly,
Melissa Culver

Less Than a Week to Go!

It's hard to believe we have come this far.  And yet, it is so beautiful at the same time.  The LORD's provision is beautiful and excellent and perfect.  Praise His Name.

Only two more dialysis sessions left.  Kim will receive dialysis on Thursday and Sunday.  And that's it!  It's Kidney Time.  Whooo!

INH.  The medical team has determined that they will try an alternative approach and they'll cross that bridge at a later date.

Infection.  Everything is moving forward and clearing up beautifully.  Thank You, LORD!

So, on Sunday we're off to Sacramento to the UC Davis Transplant Center.

Pray that...

• God would equip the medical staff to perform excellent and careful work--for all 26 patients.
• God would author victory for all 26 surgeries.
• God would author a speedy and complication-free recovery for all 26 patients.
• God would equip Melissa to be the servant He has called her to be in this season.
• God would equip Jason to function as a single parent while Melissa is caring for her parents.
• God would quiet the uncertainly in the hearts of the grandkids.
• His Name would be exalted again and again for His great work here.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-7

By His grace,

For His Name,

Melissa Culver

Timeline

Here are a few more details that help us plan for the "big day."

PRE-OP CONSULTATION
Frank and Kim are scheduled for pre-op consultations on Wednesday, December 1.  They will be visiting several different doctors that day.  They are scheduled to meet with a dietitian, post-op coordinator, lab, transplant surgeons, anesthesiologist, and the like--a total of 10 different people.  Pray that God gives them wisdom and discernment along the way.  Please also pray that they don't get overwhelmed by this very busy day.  No time for lunch has been placed on their pre-arranged schedule for this busy day.  They have been encouraged to bring "plenty of snacks."

SURGERY

• Frank is scheduled to check into the hospital the evening of Sunday, December 5.  His surgery is slated for 5:00am on Monday, December 6.
• Kim is scheduled to check into the hospital on Monday, December 6, at 5:00am.  Her surgery does not occur until two o'clock in the afternoon.

Both surgeries should last approximately four to five hours.  Post-op recovery will last about two hours.  Frank will stay in the hospital 2-3 days.  Kim will stay in the hospital 5-7 days.

Kim will have follow-up appointments each week for several weeks.  They will need to evaluate her progress and adjust medications as needed.

We trust the excellent and wonderful plans the LORD has authored for His glory.

Because of Him,
Melissa Culver

INH

The Davis team said that Kim is a go in spite of the infection.  The antibiotic will have fully run its course by then and she will be fine.

At this time the UC Davis team is evaluating if Kim's intolerance of INH is a problem.  INH is a medication used to prevent tuberculosis.  At the age of 18 months and 5 1/2 she underwent two different surgeries to remove tuberculosis from her neck.  The medical team is asking this question: "Could tuberculosis reoccur in her system while she is on immune-suppressing drugs post-transplant?"  Typically, INH is the right course of action to take in situations like this.  However, Kim had a NEGATIVE response to this medication last week.  The Davis team is uncertain if they should proceed in light of Kim's inability to take this medication.  The kidney lasting and providing long life is the team's objective.

Beloved, continue to pray that the LORD authors His great work for His grand design.

For His Name,
Melissa Culver

Angiogram Day

Kim's angiogram went well.  The stint is in good working order (previously put in place years ago).  While she was there at the medical facility they discovered that she has some type of infection.  She is now on IV antibiotics and will be on follow-up meds when she leaves.  She must stay at the facility for five hours before she is released.  They do this as a precautionary step to ensure that all is still well.

Frank and Kim plan to depart Fresno around 6:00p to head back here to Merced.

Frank told me: "The infection could be a mission-stopper."  So, let's pray that the LORD would work quickly to heal Kim of this infection (un-related to the procedure).  Let's also pray that the meds are fully out of her system before surgery: December 6.

For the King,
Melissa Culver

Large Crowds

Kim is avoiding large crowds prior to surgery.  She doesn't want to run the risk of getting something mild or major (illness) that would put a wrench in the surgery.  She is erring on the side of caution and I don't blame her.  Twenty-six people are involved, plus several medical teams.  This isn't something we want to string out longer than necessary.

So, send her a note.  Or, give her a call.  Pray with her in lieu of for her from time to time.  Your word of encouragement will perk her spirits for sure.

Joyfully,
Melissa Culver

Providence

I was nearly in tears yesterday when Kim called to tell me that a woman we knew from years ago has been processing her blood at the blood bank in Sacramento over the last four years.  God hand selected Mrs. Nelson (then Muto) to process Kim's blood.  Through a few phone conversations Kim was asked, "Does the name Kathy Muto sound familiar to you?"  Sure enough, we had lived a few doors down from her when we lived in Sacramento.

What?  I was just delighted that the providential hand of God's amazing plan authored that someone we knew was praying for Kim--the person selected to cover Kim's blood.  Someone in Sacramento was taking care of the blood details quickly, expeditiously, prayerfully, and thoughtfully--someone we knew.  What a great God!

Joyfully,
Melissa Culver

Angiogram

Kim is slated for an angiogram on Tuesday, November 23.  If you are unfamiliar with what an angiogram is, click on that link back there.  Basically, it's a small procedure that will take an image of Kim's heart and vascular system around the heart.  The doctors want to make sure, sure that her heart is in good working order before they proceed.

Joyfully,
Melissa Culver

A Surgery Date!

Yes, it's true we have a date for surgery.  I was hesitant to post the news last week.  I was uncertain about the how solid this date was.  And we haven't heard any news about it changing so far.  So here it is:

Monday, December 6, 2010

Thanks for your prayers!  We'll be sure to keep you updated.

UPDATE: And this date is a solid 'go' now.  Pre-op consultation is December 1.  A multi-page document is on its way to Kim and Frank so that they can prepare for each of the details along the way.  This one is good.

Joyfully,

Melissa Culver

UPDATE: November 1

Two people were added to the chain since the last post.  We are now up to 26 people in the chain.

Kim just called to say that all 26 people are a perfect match!!!  Praise the LORD.  On Wednesday, November 3, UC Davis will be calling all of the donors/recipients to set up dates for surgeries.  A conference call is coming up as well.  The various medical teams will coordinate details and prepare things on their ends.  We are still looking at 'late November' for Kim's surgery and Frank's surgery.

Friends, please keep praying.  Each of the patients need to remain healthy in this season in order for the surgeries to move forward.  Additionally, pray that Kim's nerves can rest.  This roller coaster has been hard on her mind and body.

"So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’   These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  (Matthew 6:31-33) NLT

Joyfully and Humbly,
Melissa Culver