Monday, September 21, 2009

On the News

Well today we got interviewed for a piece on the news to raise awareness for organ donation. News 4 came to the imagine place where Sean had a CT scan today. Then with us to visit the dialysis center since we were there getting information.

While switching the microphone from Sean to me a gentleman came and said we are in his prayers. He told us of a relative's success story. She was in the parking garage of Vandi after a routine exam when she got a call telling her to come back up they found a donor for her. They did emergency surgery to transplant her. It was very touching. I did good at "being strong" until this point. It is nice that people share encouraging news. As I've said before the kindness of strangers has been the most wonderful part of this process. We are truely bless!

Keep my brother in law in your prayers. We hope we find a donor for him soon! His baby will be four tomorrow and he'll miss this one in the hospital! We don't want him to miss any more birthdays.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Bruce Jr

Well yesterday Bruce, Sean's brother, had to be taken from work by ambulance to the hospital. He was having seizures and they couldn't stop them, so they had to medicate him into a coma. He is in ICU and has had many tests run. Luckily-I guess-the tests so far are coming up negative. However, they still don't know what is causing this and thus far has been unsuccessful at pulling him out of the coma. Each time they try, he begins shaking or seizing again. We are told that they don't believe it is due to imbalances in body or a result of kidney issues.

Our sister-in-law and in-laws are doing well handling it. The kids (as of 7pm) are unaware. Amy and her parents were able to get the boys to their sports and such without question. Hopefully they find out something today, so Amy can figure out how to handle breaking any news to the kids. We ask your prayers for the whole family. Those babies can't possibly understand all that is going on. How can they when as adults we don't.

I will update and or clarify this as I learn more. I know Amy won't be able to update hers during this time.

Update 9/19:
Things are moving slowly getting the tubes removed. Beck is asking why dad hasn't called which I'm sure is heartbreaking. All are in good spirits-well as good as can be expected which is amazing since he's been in the hospital since Monday.

The local news station did a story last June, so Sean contacted them to see if they could do an update. They did last night on the 5pm news. They also got a contact for us in Nashville to try and do a story here to help find a donor for him. We are due to speak to them on Monday. Here is the link to the update they aired:
http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=11157419

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Metal Taste

I am curious to see if there is any solution to metal taste. I can find that it is a result of kidney failure (that seems like a "dah" moment), but is there anything that can be done about it?

We are seeing the doctor doing the removal on the 21st and will ask then, but thought I'd throw it out there. Amy seems to have a nurse following her, so maybe I can get some answers.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

New Date for Nephrologist Appt.

We will be going to the doctor on Sept. 21st instead of the 28th. They will schedule the removal on this date. From what we've learned, the removal will happen in October. We were thinking of putting it off as long as possible, but we know that pushing it to the Oct. 26th is too close to transplant.

So the grandparents, I guess, will be in charge of Halloween with the kids ;-) They have a bowling party, Boy Scout party and of course trick or treating.

NFT Donation Site

http://www.transplants.org/Patients2.php?search_type=lastname&search_value=Hoefling

Here is the link to the NFT which shows both Bruce and Sean's story along with information on donation. Although the financial issue is difficult to comprehend, I am told this is a necessary evil. I more post this because our friends and family are asking about Sean's brother. He has no potential donor, but feels better after the removal of both of his kidneys.

Thanks to all who pray and lift us up. It seems that we get what we need when we need it. Sean has met some wonderful people in his job that may not be aware, but their words have come at just the right time! Not only that, but they reinforce what I say that he "might" be too stubborn to hear. LOL

My work has been more than supportive too and the same goes here-people seem to give you what you need when you need it!

We are both so very grateful to all the wonderful "little angels" that have found us! You are all inspirational and I hope to be an angel to someone someday.