Sweet Sherman Faces: November 2012

Sunday, November 25, 2012

What's for breakfast? Because it's going to be a great day!

Morning meds, blood pressure and temperature monitoring

What's for breakfast? Eggo waffles, hand sanitizer, medicine, and sweet family time. Since we are homebound we have fallen into habits, both bad and good. Keith walks three or four times per day and usually takes Marilouise with him. The doctor told him exercise was the key to a quick recovery.We're still spinning plates so Eggo waffles seem to be the easiest and most popular choice in our house lately (no judging).
Anyway, we are doing remarkably well. Keith and I are both tired but we are amazed at how smooth this portion of our journey has been. We credit God's grace, prayers of our family and friends (and strangers, for that matter), and all the support people continue to show us. Evelyn is bouncing around playing with her sisters. Her meds still have unpleasant side affects but they are fairly minor and we are working on solutions. Keith is doing well unless he tries to pick up one of our children. It is a constant temptation to be the helpful husband and father he always has been when he should be taking it easy. We have one more week of 3x a week labs (Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday) and 2x a week clinic (Monday and Friday). The week after we have labs 2x per week and only one clinic appointment! And we haven't had signs of an infection or rejection! Her blood pressure was 166/110 when we started dialysis. Her blood pressure is now regularly 95/58. It is incredible! Daddy's creatinine is .9 and Evelyn's is .4! She isn't eating and drinking significantly more yet but we see small signs of gradual improvement. We used to have to coax and cajole her to drink more fluid (she has a daily goal of 2.5 liters). Yesterday, she drank an entire milk box and a juice box on her own! She's often saying, "No more tubies!" by which she means no IVs or HD catheters or Foleys. We have stopped giving her growth hormone shots for a year (we'll reevaluate her growth but may not have to restart). Her scar is long (10-12 inches) but thin. She won't be able to hide it from her husband but the only thing holding her back from a bikini is her parents. Long and the short? Keep praying but give thanks. He has been faithful and we are already seeing signs of a new normal. Love to all.

Birthday and homecoming celebration

Dr Dick and the thriving patient.

Sisterly love over a puzzle

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Home at last

I'm so thankful for Rebecca, Tarah, Annette, and all of our other friends and family who have kept everyone informed during our surprisingly smooth transplant week. The doctors are delighted by her recovery and how well Keith's kidney is functioning. They took one of her kidneys out and said it was terribly scarred from her kidney reflux. So thank you daddy for a fresh start!!! Keith gets really tired but feels better every day.
We are so relieved to be home today and can't wait for Marilouise and Ada to join us tomorrow. We are tremendously grateful that Keith's kidney seems so happy in its new home and that Evelyn is getting closer every day to her old self. Evelyn just asked to take a nap, which she did not take once in the hospital. She knows it's her birthday today and has asked for a banana cake and balloons when her sisters arrive tomorrow.
Love to all of you!
Julianne

P.S. - my young, especially at heart, father was in a serious bicycle accident two days before transplant. Broken nose, broken teeth, broken heart at missing Ev's big day. Nevertheless, he came to visit Evelyn almost a week after his accident and she was thrilled. Thanks for all of you who heard and prayed for Grandpa Kvernmo's recovery!