5 weeks!

March 5- that the date we've been given for the kidney transplant at UNC. Only 5 weeks away! It feels like such relief to finally have a surgery scheduled, and know that recovery and healing are possible now, with the miracle of science and the gift of life.

Patrick and I just found out today. It is still sinking in, we've been trying to stay positive but not be overly optimistic because there's no way to know what may still happen. But these feelings today are real- gratitude, excitement, nervous, hopeful, relief, joy, and a little anxious! Here's a message from Patrick that he posted today on facebook:

Dear Friends and Family,
as many of you know in August of 2010 I became ill with Kidney Disease and have been living on Dialysis since January 2011. I have been waiting for a transplant since that time and thanks to the blessing of love and technology I CAN FINALY SHARE THE GOOD NEWS THAT ONE HAS BEEN ARRANGED! My sister, Kate Dunnagan, has been approved to be my kidney donor after a long and trying process-and we have been given a date- March 5th! This is the good news I have been waiting to share for nearly two years. 

So many prayers and blessing have sustained me during this trial, and with the grace of god and love I have made it through this long night. I ask that as the date of the transplant approaches that you all will send love, positive thought and prayers for a successful operation, that my body will not reject this foreign organ, and that my sister and I will have a smooth recovery.
Thank you all for your love and care, blessing to you all and my we find each other happy and healthy soon,
Patrick Dunnagan

 We will keep you all posted as the day gets closer. The surgery could be rescheduled for a variety of reasons. So it is not set in stone for March 5, but it is as certain now as it ever is going to be. Please pray for Patrick and I to stay healthy during these five weeks, and to be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared to "swap the bean," as Patrick lovingly refers to the transplant. :)

blessings to all.
Kate

One Step Closer

Hi friends, family, and loved ones, 

We received some great news today. After five months of testing and waiting for review by a medical board, I have been approved as a kidney donor, which puts us one step closer to transplant. Now at this point, nothing is certain. It doesn't necessarily mean that the transplant will happen. We've learned the hard way over the past two years that unforeseen events could occur, and the decision could even possibly be revoked. So there are still more steps in the process toward the surgery. And right now, I don't have any details. Just a feeling of relief knowing that the review board agrees with me that Patrick should have this kidney, even though our blood types are not compatible. This is a huge breakthrough in science! We were hesitant about the procedure, but after doing some investigation, it seems like the best option for Patrick. He will need to undergo at least a couple of weeks of plasmapheresis, and like I said there's no certainty about the process or timeline yet. But we've come along way in the past couple of years since he first became sick with FSGS. Looking back on it, I just feel for Patrick with my whole heart, for what he's had to face, and for the courage of his friend Morgan, who has been in these same shoes, and with infinite gratitude for all of the prayers, love, support and friendship in our lives. We are blessed.

with gratitude,
Kate