Here We Go #4

Kim just got a call from UC Davis.  She is in yet another chain.  If this chain goes to completion Kim will be the only one undergoing surgery at this time.  Her surgery is conditional that Frank will still surrender a kidney when he is called upon at a later date.  Per the UC Davis representative Kim's surgery could be as early as the first week in November.

Prayers:
1) Praise that the LORD has orchestrated a bridge match where Kim and Frank undergo surgery at different times.
2) Prayer that this match be the completion of the 'kidney roller coaster" for Kim. 
3) Prayer that all organs are received and not rejected by each recipient.
4) Prayer for all organs that must be transported by plane/car.
5) Prayer for all donors and recipients as they recover.
6) Prayer for each family involved.
7) Prayer for all medical teams involved at the various hospitals.
8) Praise God for the awesomeness and the excellence of His mighty plan.

    ¹O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
    ²You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
         You understand my thought from afar.
    ³You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
         And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
    ⁴Even before there is a word on my tongue,
         Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
    ⁵You have enclosed me behind and before,
         And laid Your hand upon me.
    ⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
         It is too high, I cannot attain to it. (Psalm 139)

Joy in Christ,
Melissa Culver

Fistula Update

Just an update on why Kim's fistula clogged so suddenly.

Epogen is used to treat a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells (anemia) caused by chronic kidney failure in patients on dialysis.  A recent batch of Epogen was recalled due to the number of unnecessary particles in said medicine.  Kim had used several vials from this tainted batch--unknowingly.

It is delightfully refreshing to know that they weren't erring on their part and that the problem has been remedied.  The tainted Epogen has been returned for cataloging and destruction.

Kim's arm has recovered nicely and dialysis is coming along great.

Thankfully,
Melissa Culver

Email Updates

To the right you can see "Subscribe Via Email."  Feel free to load your email address into that box.  You'll then receive email updates in your inbox whenever I post something new here.  I don't know how timely the updates are.  They could be several hours later.  But, it is an update nonetheless.

Smiles,
Melissa Culver

Medical Hold

Wednesday's Davis meeting went well.  Kim and Frank were able to go to a general session meeting hosting several recent donor/recipient pairs.  Many of the donor/recipient pairs were just six months post-surgery.  It was nice for them to see some face-to-face success stories and hear their personal accounts.  They were delighted and encouraged.  They got word that Frank will be out of the hospital 24-48 hours after his surgery.  And they received word that Kim will be out of the hospital about 5 days post-surgery.  This meeting was great for them.

Medical hold.  The kidney recipient that Frank would be donating to is currently on a medical hold.  Due to HIPPA laws we have no specifics as to why.  It could be as simple as a common hold or a small infection needing antibiotics.  We may never know.  Because of this their surgery has been postponed.  Here are two potential scenarios in light of this: a)they keep the same donor/recipient pair, but just wait for the recipient to heal, or b)the computer system will find another match for them while they wait.

Thank you for journeying with us.

Hugs,
Melissa Culver

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Kim and Frank are off to Davis today.  They will meet with a few people from the transplant team to discuss the logistics.  Many of their questions will be answered today.

PAIRS: As it stands we now only have four people in the organ transplant swap.  The other couple is currently in Pennsylvania.  My dad's kidney will travel in a cooler all the way to Pennsylvania to the recipient there.  Likewise the organ being donated to my mom will fly over in a cooler.  Sounds odd, I know.  It's a blessing that there are only four people involved.  It's fewer people to keep healthy.  Fewer hospitals involved.  Overall a better idea.

TIME LINE: This question should get answered today.  Who gets cut into first?  Who receives said kidney at this time, etc.  My parents will get those questions answered today, hopefully.

DATE: At this point we don't have a solid date yet.  It does, however, look like it will be the latter part of October in lieu of the earlier part of October.  When we get word of a specific date we'll be sure to post it here.

Thank you for your prayers, friends.  They are truly a sweet, sweet treasure and a blessing.  Thank you.

Humbly,
Melissa Culver

Fistula Is Clogged

Friends,
Kim's AV fistula is clogged.  This is the only way she can receive dialysis treatment.  There are a few options.    She may need a chest catheter in order to continue with dialysis until her fistula is no longer clogged.  This is a minor surgical procedure.  She initially started dialysis with a catheter.  She's been down this road before.  (I can't remember the other option--sorry.)

This--having the catheter placed--will need to happen ASAP.  Pray that these details are covered quickly and that she can return to regular dialysis soon.  Please pray for the doctors as they assess the situation and evaluate the details of her care.  Kim certainly hopes that her fistula can get unclogged soon.  Dialysis through the fistula is far more effective at cleaning the blood and it requires less work to keep it clean (minimizing the potential for infection).

As Kim will go into surgery to get this catheter placed, please pray that she have a heart attitude of peace.  Pray that she mends quickly.  Pray for the doctors and the nursing staff.  Pray that she can return to home dialysis soon.

Humbly,
Melissa Culver

UPDATE: Kim went to Modesto today.  They decided to clean out her fistula.  The procedure took about 2.5 hours.  They will let the opening heal a bit and then Frank will do her dialysis at home tomorrow.  Thank you for your prayers, friends!  Thank you.

Prayer Request

As we look at the logistics of this upcoming scenario here are a few things to pray about:

1) Chris (Kim's son) may be in Hawaii while the surgery happens.  Pray for any concerns that he may have.  May the LORD grant peace to his heart as his work schedule demands his time there.

2) Jason is having a small surgery on Tuesday, October 12.  He will need a few weeks of limited activity.  This surgery has already been moved once.  We aren't going to move the date again.

3) When the surgery takes place Kim will be in the hospital for one full week.  Frank will get out soon after his surgery is complete (2-3 days).  He will then stay at a local hotel because he needs to be close to the medical team if something should happen.

4) My prayer (Melissa) is that I can be with my parents for the whole week while they recover in Davis, CA.  I want to stay in the room with my dad.  He will need three meals each day and companionship.  Additionally, it's great to have someone take care of his miscellaneous needs.  Lastly, if something comes up I will need to care for those details.

5) In the event these three operations (Jason, Kim and Frank) overlap the children will need to be cared for.  Pray that the Culvers have discernment on this detail as well.  We trust the LORD's excellent provision and know that He is at work here.

Please keep us and all of these details in your prayers.  Thank you.

Much Love,
Melissa Culver

Another Call

From Kim's heart:
I just received a call from the Davis Transplant Team.  Frank and I are virtual matches for two people (yet again).  This chain is 6 people long (3 sets of partners).  When the word comes back that everyone is in good health, at this present time, blood testing will begin to validate that the virtual match is indeed a REAL match.

According to Davis their operating room is being moved right now.  So, the official date for potential transplant will be no earlier than October 1, 2010.  I say 'potential transplant' because we have ridden this roller coaster four times already.  And we won't ever be sure that it's the official one until the actual surgeries take place.

If at any point we get new or updated information, please check back here for that.  Keep all six of us in your prayers.

Joy in Christ,
Kim

What is Dialysis?

There are actually a few different types of dialysis.  There's nocturnal dialysis.  There's peritoneal dialysis.  There's hemodialysis.  And in recent years the medical profession has made home hemodialysis a reality.

Here are just a few pictures of Kim's home hemodialysis journey:
The machine.

The team.

Working together.

Some supplies.

Grateful,
Melissa Culver

Update - September 2010

In Kim's words:

We received a call from our coordinator at UCD.  Our transplants have been canceled at this time.  We are not the least bit upset.  Frank's partner was pulled from the program due to medical problems on the part of the recipient.  It turned out that this was a "swap" between a total of 18 people.  We are on hold at this time while they search yet again for another match. It should not be too long as they keep reminding us that Frank is the "perfect" donor and will be the easiest to match.  It took less than 24 hours this time.  So we are encouraged it won't be another 3 1/2 years.

The positive outcome of this is that we now have more information.  There were 18 people total involved and six different transplant centers - what a logistical nightmare to say the least (for them anyway).  This was a real learning experience for us.  We now know what this process entails and it just reminds us just how awesome our God really is.  He is in control and we know that this opportunity will come again.  When it does, if there are this many variables, it will take at least three weeks to pull it together.  This relieves some of the anxiety next time.

We are fine, not disappointed/frustrated, but encouraged.  We ask that you continue to pray for us and that the Lord be glorified in the final result.  We will continue to keep you informed as to the progress and covet your faithful prayers.  Thank you so much.