September 19-21st.
This whole thing has been weighing on me for a while. I didn’t want to tell anyone how I was feeling because if for some reason I was rejected I’d have even more emotions and conversations to deal with. That was a fear of failure, or even the fear of giving others false hope maybe? I did eventually crack and I called Chad’s brother-in law-and sister. I was at the point during the testing where I’d been given the proverbial head nod that I was good to go, but with some other additional testing being finalized there was still a chance the team could evaluate a result and pull me out of the game. I called to ask an unfair question really. Do they think I should tell Chad now, or wait a few more weeks until there is better clarity? I chose to wait, which was quite difficult. Here is my account of the day that both Chad and I had very different, but very real and heavy burdens lifted off.
I’m excited to finally give Chad the news that his wait and uncertainty is over. I was stressed over when to let him know. I didn’t want the doctors to make the final call that I was no longer a donor candidate. At this point- yes- anything can still happen. I’ll let him know of that potential as I’m sure he’s already aware of what his team has told him (they hadn’t told him anything at this point). Nothing is ever 100% certain. This is like the real poo or get the pot moment – sounds like all the approvals are a go- especially if Amy said they’d schedule it in a month.
Schedule the surgery in a month?! This extra wrinkle was not something I was expecting. Perhaps this is what God had planned? We will see what Chad thinks.
I’ll have to come up with some additional questions to ask- maybe there are specifics I can’t know about all this: Who is this other donor / recipient duo? Male, female? Older, younger. Will we meet them?
I’m exhausted now. After getting back from the campout (not much high quality tent sleeping happening for this guy), meeting for Trail Life leadership training, helping to lead a portion of Kirk’s Freedom Rangemen final board of review- which I thought I’d just be an observer, but was able to help at the last minute. I then drove down to give Chad the good kidney news. I really want to pass out right now- but I just need to record the first of several memories from our talk.
#1- the picture of the recreated book title didn’t quite work as expected. But still funny!
#2- Apparently Chad had sent a prayer request to his church a few hours before I arrived. When I’m talking about how and when did I see God show up, THIS was one of those times. I pondered long and hard how for the past 6 months my donation journey had been progressing all the while to have Chad’s Sunday prayer request answered within a few hours. Amazing. I wept safely a few times on the drive home thinking about God’s awesome timing. Ya, I may have cried more about that revelation than I maybe I’d like to admit.
As Chad and I talked through things, we had some tears, but kept it together pretty well. I came prepared for anything, but my car witnessed most of my emotions.
Read Chad’s Version: Living Donor Match – Answered Prayers