We thought the plan was to be treated with antibiotics for the new infection they discovered from the fluid they pulled from Josh’s stomach, but the doctor got one look at Josh and asked if he wanted to be admitted to the hospital, to which we said, yes. What we didn’t expect was that Dr Eaton’s nurse, who is our point person along this transplant journey, gently, but strongly urged us to consider relocating to Rochester until after transplant. She explained that Josh’s condition is simply too unstable to go back and forth. They keep telling us how complicated his case is - and it is - with the treatment of infections, doing the routine appointments and now dealing with the abdominal pain that, sadly, is just one of the symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma. That was hard to hear - as Josh was actively in pain as she spoke to us - that this might be his daily existence for the next two months until transplant. All the more reason that we need to be nearby to be closely monitored and treated as needed. 

As surprising as it was to hear we needed to relocate, it also wasn’t. As we were driving to the hospital today with Josh in misery, we were praying for His mercy, for relief from the pain and for wisdom to know what to do.  So when she strongly encouraged us to relocate, we immediately received it as wisdom and the next right step on this very windy journey. Certainly it is not an easy next step, but we have utter confidence that this was God’s swift answer to our prayer, and that it is the best and safest plan for Josh to remain in Rochester. 

The unexpected nature of this decision has brought a lot of logistical questions for living life in two different places for the next three months. I honestly don’t know what it will look like, but I trust God completely to provide what we need, when we need it… and He already has in big and small ways. I was able to tell Ellen and Camille, but I have not been able to tell JC. I need to tell him in person, so I bought a ticket to fly home tomorrow and Trevor will come here to be with Josh while he remains in the hospital. Not only do I need to be with the kids under the circumstances, but I need to pack more than five days worth of clothes to become temporary residents of Rochester, Minnesota! Our goal is to have all the doctors and nurses saying “y’all” by the time Josh leaves with a new liver!

I know this will have it’s challenges, but as I told Ellen and Camille, three months of being separated will be a blip on the map when we look back over Josh’s long life post-transplant. It will be part of the incredible story he will tell of how God provided in the most unusual and extraordinary ways. And as Josh went to bed tonight, there could not have been more hope, more gratitude, more confidence in his belief that this is exactly where God wants him to be. And that He is good and He is faithful, and I couldn’t agree more.