Getting ready! Following doctor's orders...

Hey Folks!

Everything looks good for the transplant for now. After our close call in March, we've been cautiously optimistic about the surgery happening on the new date, May 14. But as that date gets closer, we are encouraged that Patrick's blood pressure and titer levels are stable and he is beginning a series or plasmapheresis, to strip his blood of antibodies, and immune-suppressant drugs this week. We both need to stay healthy for the next two weeks, and stay clear catching a cold or the flu, and even risk factors for injuries.

For that reason, it's been recommended by the transplant team that we both refrain from riding in the Raven Rock Ramble (RRR), the annual bicycle and skating fundraising event for the UNC Kidney Center. You might hear a story about this event in the news, it's very popular with the avid cyclists and skaters in the area. Our friends, Linda and Tim, are even coming down from Asheville to roller-blade a 30 mile section of the coarse! We are very proud of them, and a little disappointed that we won't be able to ride even the ten mile loop this year, but our surgeons say that it is an unnecessary risk, and since the surgery is only one week after the event, we should both save our energy for the transplant. But don't worry- next year we'll be putting some serious rubber down on the road!

Thank you to everyone who's made a donation to the RRR. We're still accepting donations, as a volunteer team, at the link:
http://www.active.com/donate/RRR2013/UNCkidneytransplantd

It is such a blessing to be able to carry on with the transplant, and to have the opportunity for Patrick to regain his kidney function! I don't need to tell anyone what a miraculous and precious thing it is to appreciate good health after it's something you've lost. Given that there are no guarantees that the transplant will be successful, we remain cautiously optimistic. And we thank you for your prayers, from the bottom of our hearts, and hope that you all receive the many wonderful blessings of friendship, love and health.

We will continue to share the news of our transplant here and on FB as well. Thank you for your support!

with love,
Kate