What a journey.

February has FINALLY given us the stability we’ve been looking for since Parker’s transplant in October.  After her last hospitalization, we decided to keep her on a low dose of the water retention medication used to treat diabetes insipidus, even though she was not diagnosed with this condition.  This allowed us to ease up on the amount of water she needs to take in each day.  She’s now needing to consume 40oz of water, which is still just about her body weight in oz each day, but manageable.  We also have started her on a blood pressure medication.  Essentially, we’re now trying to give our 6-year-old hypertension.

Yes, you read that correctly. 

We’re trying to elevate her blood pressure, which was the opposite of what we were trying to do right after her transplant.  The thought process is straightforward.  She is a 6-year-old child but has the kidney of an adult male.  Kim, the kidney, is used to pumping a lot more blood, so by increasing her blood pressure, we’re increasing her blood flow through her kidney.  As a result of these combined medications, Kim appears to be happy!  Over the last month, we’ve seen a slight decline in creatinine (the amount of waste in blood) and her hemoglobin is back within normal range as well as most of her electrolytes.

We continue to keep a very close eye on her labs, with blood draws two times a week and monthly nephrology visits with her transplant team, but we’re finally to a point where we and her transplant team believe she can return to some of her “normal” activities, such as school and dance!

This Monday, February 26th will be Parker’s first day back in person at school since September!  To say that she’s excited is an understatement. 

It has been a VERY long time coming, but we are SO thankful to be slowly returning to a normal state.  Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers for continued healing and health.  The first year tends to run the highest risk for rejection and she is still very much immunocompromised.  While we’re not “out of the woods”, we absolutely see and feel the sun shining down on us!

All of our love,

Seth, Elizabeth, Addison N’ Parker