One Year Check-Up

Hey guys! I haven't posted on here in a LONG time. But that is mainly because there hasn't really been much to post. Well, that has all changed.

Both Mr Bruce and my Dad have gone back up to Pittsburgh for their one year check-up. They went at separate times, and are both home now. Let me give you an update.

Mr Bruce went up to Pittsburgh about a month or so ago (sorry, can't remember when exactly). They found out he had a hernia in his incision site, and had to go back up a second time for surgery to remove the hernia. When he went back up they removed it successfully, and he is doing much better.

My Dad went up this past weekend. All his appointments went amazingly well, and all is perfect. Since my parents' 17th anniversary is May 29th, they made this trip a getaway weekend. They left early Sunday morning, and got back Tuesday evening. They were able to go to festivals, eat outside while sipping wine, go to a New York Mets vs Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game, and just have time enjoying each other. They had an amazing time, and are overjoyed to hear my Dad is doing awesome one year after transplant.

Thank you everyone for your prayers! We love you all!

Thrush and Passing Out

Hi all! It's been a while since I've last written, but here I am again as my Dad has come down with thrush in his mouth.

After his transplant, the doctors gave him medicine to prevent this infection as it was common for a transplant patient. Well, he only had to take that medicine for a couple months, and now, 10 months later, he has come down with thrush. He went to the VA Hospital yesterday, and he got the medicine for it. Hopefully, it will be gone soon.

Also, Friday early morning, my Dad felt dizzy and passed out. On the way down, he hit his eye, and it is all swollen, black and blue. Here is a picture from yesterday. The bruise has spread more under his eye since then though. It's really nasty.

While at the VA Hospital, he also had tests to see what caused the dizziness and passing out. They're pretty sure that it was because his blood pressure was too low (which he takes medicine to lower), so they lowered his dosage of blood pressure meds. Hopefully this will fix it, and he won't pass out anymore. It was very scary for us all, especially for my Mom who was the one who heard him fall, and found him on the floor.

Thank you everyone for the prayers. We really appreciate them. Love you guys!

Sarah

Quick Update

A lot of you have been asking how my Dad is since the last post I wrote was about his rash, and I never really updated you all. Well, the rash is no more, and the doctors weren't concerned about it. God is so good! Thank you all for your prayers! 

~1 Kings 17:22~

The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived!

Our God can do ALL things!

Rash

On Thursday, my Dad left work early because he had a rash on his wrist/hand. It is very faint, but still a rash. He got blood work done that day. As far as I know, he does not know the results yet. It has somewhat started to go away on his wrist/hand, but he has noticed it is now on his legs. Please pray this is nothing serious, and the doctors will be able to fix whatever is wrong. Thanks so much!

Back To Work

My Dad has been doing really good lately. He is getting a lot of Mr. Bruce's energy! Instead of crashing on the couch at the end of a long day, he is not tired at all! He breaks out singing a song (or an impromptu song that he made up) all the time! :P One thing to point out is that he is down to 1-2 mugs of coffee (he was drinking about 5-6 every day!!) a day AND it is decaf, not caffeinated! He has all this energy even without caffeine! He walks faster than normal (Mr. Bruce does too), and it is hard to keep up with him most of the time.

Today, he went back to work. I will let you all know how that goes after he gets home tonight. Please be in prayer for him at work.

Also, I read on my friend, Talia's blog, that this girl, Josie (a friend of Talia's), needs a liver transplant. It really hit my heart as my Dad has gone through the whole process of needing a transplant - but Josie is only 11, and she has had this disease since she was 6 months old!

On the radio this morning, I heard someone call in asking for prayer for their friend. He has had a heart transplant, and because of the medications he is on because of the heart transplant, his kidneys are failing. So, now he needs a kidney transplant too.

Please be in prayer about these two people. I am sure they would really appreciate it!

Ups And Downs

My Dad went in for lab work again this morning. The results are that his creatinine is down to 1.9, and they lowered his anti-rejection drugs!!!! This is a big praise item, so I thank you all for your prayers. Although we would like his creatinine down a little lower, this is a lot better than what it was. Thank you Jesus!

Lab Work

Yesterday my Dad got his first lab work done at home in New Orleans. They called him today to give him the results - his creatinine is at 2.3, and they want him to go in tomorrow morning for an ultrasound. Normal creatinine for a male is between 0.6 and 1.2. Although it does not seem like a lot, even a couple points make a difference. After he gets the results of the ultrasound, I will let you all know.