It’s for real.

It’s happening. In 17 days. I got a call today that all of Amy’s testing went well and we can move forward with the transplant! They have yet to decide which kidney to take out, but we are set to go for surgery on the 29th. This means only 17 more days of dialysis, 17 more restless nights (for me and Chase), and only about 200 more Tums* during meals. I have to say that I think I’m most looking forward to a full night of sleep and something delicious and chocolate (not followed by Tums!)

I’m so thankful to finally know for sure, to finally have an answer. And I’m so thankful to everyone who has helped us get to this point. There are people who have stored our things in Nicaragua, people who have let us stay in their home in the States, let us use their cars, provided phones for us to use, helped raise funds for our medical costs, taken care of me after surgery, taken me to dialysis appointments, treated us to meals, and hundreds, maybe even thousands of people who have prayed for us over the last 2+ years. It humbles us every time we think about how greatly people have loved and cared for us and how little we have done to deserve it all. And if all those things weren’t more than enough, now God has provided someone to step forward and give me one of their organs!! What an incredible picture of what Christ has done for us through his death and resurrection – mercy and grace for the undeserved.

So in a little over two weeks, I will be getting a third kidney! That’s right, neither of mine will be removed since there is no need to remove them and it would add additional risk, but the surgeons will add a third one in, probably near my right hip. Both the transplanted kidney and Amy’s remaining kidney will grow a little bit larger to do the work both kidneys had done previously. Since I am not the one having a kidney removed, the surgery is easier on my body than it is on the donor’s, so I would love it if you all would be especially praying for Amy and her recovery post-surgery!

In Amy’s last e-mail to me, she wrote, “I am reminded of the verse by David, "For it is You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb." God knows my body and thinking about Him knitting my kidney to bless you, gives me chills. God is a God of detail and He is in control!” What an incredible thought – God formed a kidney inside Amy’s body, preparing it not just for her, but also for me. That is a chilling thought. What a creative and sovereign God we serve!

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*Tums act as a phosphorus binder, allowing it to pass through my system since my kidneys cannot handle phosphorus properly.