In just two days we'll mark one year since I was released from the hospital. During that time, a lot has happened, but nothing like I'm about to share. 

We have been off of dialysis since the middle of April. OFF DIALYSIS! COMPLETELY!

The story is long and rather complex, so I'll stay away from the particulars. In short, I was put on dialysis while I was still semi-comatose in March 2019. We went into training for home dialysis and began around February 2020.

In the middle of April, we ran into a problem that turned into a blessing, which forced us to actually stop dialysis for awhile. The longer we stopped, the better I felt. My nurses believed in me, followed my progress, kept me off dialysis, and now, my peritoneal catheter has been out for nearly three weeks. (My chest cath has been out about six weeks).

They say they have seen turnarounds and had hoped it would happen to me, but I didn't really expect it. No one thing contributed to this, but my body has been fighting back, my kidneys have been functioning more and more, and my body chemistry has been improving by small steps. 

I have no one to thank but God, and everyone who prayed to Him on my behalf. I prayed every night, but I can tell you, without hesitation, that it was YOU, the people who kept my name on their breath and my well being in their heart who made this happen. For whatever reason, God used me to perform what I consider to be a miracle. I never expected to be free from dialysis again, and I pray that I never will have to go back.

Let me add that Kerri and I wouldn't be at this stage without the care and training from the staff at Fresenius health care, These men and women are some of the finest, most caring individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting. They are the best.

Again,  I praise God for the miracle he has performed. He gets the credit here, and I am his grateful, undeserving child who continues to speak to Him every night. My world would be a much lesser place otherwise.

I love you all. I miss those I know and can't wait to meet those I don't.

Thank you.

A final thought:

I have to mention some names. I don't think we would have made it through all of this without these folks. My brother-in-law and his lovely wife-Jim and Judy Rhoades. They came from Michigan the day I was released from the hospital to help Kerri get me settled. I love these two people more than they know. They are brother and sister to me. Forget the "in-law."

And I love Patti and Ellie for watching me while Kerri was at the airport. Now THERE is a story to be told (but I pray it won't be :>).

My son, Ben, and his family gave Kerri comfort and support, and were ready to hop in the van and drive here from Omaha at a moment's notice if Kerri needed them. Ben is like me-he married above his pay scale and has reaped the rewards ever since. I am so proud of this man, his wife and the grandchildren they've given us. We love them beyond description.

My sister, Mary Jo, is an accomplished nurse practitioner who helped Kerri understand what was going on with me, while at the same time gave Kerri the spiritual support she needed. Mary Jo was ready to order airplane tickets a number of times. That is my sister, and we love her deeply.

Kerri's good friend Sandi Allen came down from Michigan in the thick of the storm. While I remember her, those memories are sketchy. I DO know that Sandi is kind and warm, and she came at a time when Kerri truly needed a friend with her. Thank you, Sandi. Thank you, thank you.

And to our neighbors and friends who are too many to name. These are the people who watched the house, got the mail, took Murphy for walks, fed him and just stayed with him when Kerri spent those long days and nights at the hospital, watching over me. Then they were ready to cook, clean and give any kind of support they could, whenever it was needed. They instinctively knew when Kerri needed them by her side, and miraculously showed up, just at the right time.

Pastor Matt: I wasn't even aware of your visits until long after they occurred. We've never met, but we will. I need your guidance, though. What words of thanks will speak how I feel about a man who loves my wife through her church activities enough, that he drives hours to comfort her husband as well? You don't know how your presence helped Kerri through all of this. Your visits helped us both, and I am humbled.

I can't believe how many cards you sent-many of you sent MANY cards (grin). You have no idea the huge role those played in my recovery and Kerri's sanity. Displaying them in my rooms kept me from feeling so abandoned and alone. 

If you feel that you've been forgotten, I apologize. Please know what we love you and hold you close in our hearts. 

You are all the people who make our lives richer and fuller, and we love you.