UPDATE: October 14

Kim and Frank have received a few calls from the UC Medical Coordinator over the last few weeks.  I won't update with every minor detail along the way.  It's simply my plan to update when something of importance pops up.

Frank and Kim are still slated for November.  They are still a 'go'.  It is now "late November."  There are 24 people involved in this most current chain.  Twelve people are in need of a new kidney and twelve people are donating.

Keep praying that the LORD would work out all of the details for His glory.

Lovingly,
Melissa Culver

Addendum

Frank just received word that he will be added to this chain.  So, it looks like Frank and Kim may be undergoing surgery at the same time.  Frank's current recipient is in New Jersey (random non-important factoid).  As of now we have no exact date.  We simply have a ballpark figure of "early November".

Thank you, precious friends, for your willingness to serve us in this season and for your faithful prayers.  We love you all.

Humbly submitting to His plans,
Melissa Culver

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