The conference in North Carolina was excellent! I got home at midnight on Thursday with a notebook and flash drive full of information to review and process. I had 16 hours between getting off one plane and getting back on another. Those hours in between were busy!
Samuel started dialysis at 6:45 a.m. on Friday and Esther had labs and a check-up (she's doing great!). Later in the morning, the dialysis team surprised us with a wonderful send-off including cake, cowboy hats, and lariats. Some of these folks came in on their day off to say good-bye to Samuel.
Our hearts are full of gratitude and appreciation for all that this terrific team of nurses and support staff has done for us. They are skilled professionals, compassionate caregivers, and generous friends! They have cared for Samuel and they have cared about Samuel. They have encouraged and cheered him through some dark times. They have been his nurses and his friends. They have our highest respect and our deepest gratitude.
Thank you to Ann Marie, Bette, Bill, Fran, Helen, Jackie, Kim, Marley, Michael, Nancy, Pat, Renate, and Susie. Special thanks to Betty and Jane – there at the beginning, the end, and the worst of it in between! And every great team needs a great leader. That would be Dr. Guillot! We love you all!
Here are a few of the folks at our rootin’, tootin' Texas send-off...
Ann Marie sewed a pair of comfy fleece pants for both Samuel and Hannah. Nicholas came to help celebrate.
Nancy H. gave Samuel a heart-shaped rock that had been special to her. He has been carrying it around in his pocket ever since. Samuel and Nancy would share a special greeting each time they saw each other. Nancy always made us smile.
Samuel always enjoyed working with Bill, one of the boys.
Samuel says good-bye to his dialysis buddy, Josh.
This is one of the sad things about getting a transplant - Samuel will miss spending time with Josh. How we have enjoyed him and his mom, Kelly! This month marks Josh's one year anniversary of beginning dialysis. That is long enough! I am committed to promoting education and awareness about organ donation, both living and deceased, so that other young people like Josh and Molly and Chelsea can also get a transplant.
Anyone have an extra kidney to spare?
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2 comments:
if josh (or you for him) posts his info at some point, we'll definitely pass it around! :D
Anna Thorburn
How can one donate? I am from Vermont and am so moved by your family and others alike, if I can help, I will.
My thoughts are with all of you! I will pray for Hannah, Samuel, and all other pairs of the exchange.
Savannah
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