I know it has been awhile that we have updated everyone on here, so I wanted to take a moment and do that.   I recently posted something about all of this on Mom's kidney facebook page, but I know some of you do not have facebook, so I wanted to take a moment to update you as well!  Mom's new kidney is still doing really well, she is getting stronger each and every day.  I was just talking to Mom yesterday and she told me about how the other day she was at the hospital for a doctors appointment and she was really surprised at how far she could walk without any assistance! She brings a wheelchair with her so she has a backup for when she gets tired, but even surprised herself at how far she went on her own! She is even happy to state that although her shortness of breath is still there, it is at least improving!  Mom and Dad are staying home for the holidays, as they are trying to protect themselves, and the new kidney from covid-19, but we are still finding ways that they can connect with us and still be with us on those days.

Donor update:  The hospital told us from the beginning that we could reach out to our donor 45 days after transplant.  We were limited to the information we could give out, but we would hope that they would also want to connect with us.  About a month or so ago Mom received a package from her donor, a t-shirt and book.  The donor did not give much information at that time. I then helped Mom put a letter together to send to her donor, we then had to send it to The Christ Hospital, who then sent it to the hospital where the donors transplant took place, for them to send the letter to the donor...wow!  It took awhile for the donor to reach out to us, and at one point I told Mom that maybe the donor wants to stay anonymous and we will have to be okay with that decision.  Well about a week ago we finally heard from her!  Her name is Kristi and she lives in North Dakota.  She told us that she did not know anyone that was in need of a kidney, (to put their name into the exchange program like Mom's donor did) but she just always had this calling to do something like this.  She traveled 10 hours to the closet hospital in South Dakota that did transplants, and generously did so for Mom.  Kristi and my Mom have now exchanged cell phone numbers and are taking the time to get to know each other!  We look forward to getting rid of covid-19 and possibly be able to meet her in person one day! We hope that everyone has a safe, healthy, and happy holidays, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2021!