Happy Birthday??

January 24th was Ken's birthday.  Since we were doing some remodeling at our house, our daughter Stefanie invited us over to celebrate at her home.  Our granddaughters were so excited and started making decorations and cards for the celebration.  Tuesday, the 21st Ken had his fifth kidney biopsy after results from his latest bimonthly blood work indicated problems.  Ken was told the results would be back late Thursday or early Friday morning.  Thursday, the 23th I bought the devil food cake mix, vanilla icing and blue Bell ice cream for the party.  Around noon I got a call from Ken and I knew from his voice something was wrong.  The doctors wanted him to go to the hospital immediately.  They found a mild rejection of the kidney and fibrosis.  He was admitted quickly and as we walked through the doors of the kidney transplant unit the nurses, CNA's, social workers, pharmacists, food service  and cleaning ladies all welcomed Ken and me.  I know I have used this analogy in the past but remember the television show Cheers.  When Ken and I stepped through those doors we knew we were back.......

"Where everybody knows your name
  And they're always glad you came
  You wanna be where you can see
  Our troubles are all the same
  You wanna be where
  Everybody knows your name."

As hard as it is to go back to the hospital this floor truly is our home. And we were back. Ken was given three large doses of steroids for the mild rejection. His original disease was back and was given a chemo drug to put it in remission. Obviously all these medicines have side effects but we again put this all into God's Hands. We pray for good results and for no side effects. We trust in God and know this is His plan.

Best birthday party ever!

So the birthday party came to the transplant floor Friday night.  Addie, Sophie and Stefanie brought TCBY sugar free yogurt and sang Happy Birthday. They made BEAUTIFUL cards for their Pa. We played charades, visited the salt water Aquarium and did some shopping at the vending machine. They counted the bags Pa had hanging from his IV pole and met some of the wonderful nurses. It was a GREAT birthday!  We realized it is not where the party takes place but it is who comes to the party. As my mom used to say, "It's not the food but it's the company!"

Our son Greg, the real writer in this family, read a poem he wrote for Ken over the phone Friday night.  It was so funny that we literally cried. He took all the crazy things happening in our lives and made us laugh and realize what really is important. We ended the day face timing with Kelly, Alex and Gus, our grandson in South Carolina.  Life is great with a family like this, even from a hospital room.

Ken and I have been bombarded with prayers, well wishes, support and love from so many family and friends. We hope you realize what an amazing feeling it is for us knowing so many of you are praying for Ken. You all are in our prayers each and every day. We all have crosses to bear in this lifetime. You never know what journey someone may be on. We wish for all of you that your journeys will be safe, your crosses light to bear, your families and friends surround you with love and you enjoy each and every day God gives you with the ones you love.  I want to share these beautiful words sent to me from my cousin Emily - "I pray for you two to have comfort and encouragement in this hospital stay, that it be short, filled with peace and healing of miraculous magnitude, and that you remember, at all times, how much you are loved and prayed for by all of us at home." Thank you Emily, we do feel all that love.

Until the next time may The Lord carry us on our journey,
Pat