Learning to cope

MrGee is feeling a lot better since his haemoglobin levels have returned to normal. However, he does tend to be a little grumpy or irritated after a dialysis session. This is something we have all had to accommodate. I have learnt not to bombard MrGee with too much talk, the kids have realized they can't be so demanding and MrGee knows that when he feels this way the best place to be is .......... relaxing in a warm bath.

We heard from the Kidney Facilitator that the transplant could take place within the next two months. Good news! ............ Now MrGee has to get his head around this!!!!

Latest pics of MrGee

Foolin' around in his 'cowboy boots' !

And so we wait .......

...... all tests are done and the paper work has been lodged with the government. Mrgee's kidney facilitator told us it takes about 2 months for approval ...... but today I heard from a friend (who is donating his kidney), that it can take as long as 6 months for approval!

At the bottle?

Mrgee has always had a very fair skin tone .... apparently it's due to Norwegian blood on his father's side. This past summer we were outdoors(boating,surfing,beaching) a lot more than usual, so WizzKid, MrGee and myself hit the bottle of fake tan. Yes it's true .... brown fat looks a whole lot better than white fat!

A couple of months later cooler temperatures snapped us out of the bronzing frenzy and we quickly returned to our milky white hues. Then a couple of weeks ago I asked MrGee if he had secretly been at the bottle again??? He assured me he was 'clean' but I remained suspicious as he looked so much browner!
Then a couple of days later he returned home from the hospital with news that the level of haemoglobin(iron) in his blood had increased dramatically. This was wonderful news!! The iron injections MrGee had been getting every second day had worked .... this would mean that he would not need the blood tranfusion that doctors had warned us about! .... *light bulb moment* .... I googled and yip it was true .... the extra heamoglobin in MrGee's blood was not only saving him from having a blood transfusion, but it was also giving him a radiant tan!

Candice is a match!!

MrGee and I are overwhelmed! All that needs to happen now is for the government to okay the procedure. This should take between 4 weeks and 2 months. Once it has been okayed, MrGee can book his date for the transplant. It all seems so surreal! Thank you Lord!

The donor has a name.....

....... and it is Candace. This brave lady came forward believing she must be obedient to God and offer her kidney to Mrgee. We are so grateful for her courage.
As I write this Candace is in hospital having the set of extensive tests required to determine whether she is a match/compatible for donating her kidney. So far the results have pointed towards her being a suitable match. I can sense MrGee is trying not to get too excited till he hears the final result tomorrow arvi!

He met the donor

MrGee met with his prospective donor a couple of days ago. He flew up to Bloemfontein a little skeptical, but after meeting her and her husband he felt so much happier about the situation. He told me 'she seemed pretty normal.' ...... I mean what did MrGee expect her to be like?(that's funny). So far they are compatible but we've got a long road ahead of us. Our level of excitement has definitely moved up a small notch!