#organdonationawarenessweek

[couragebravelion]

Getting there...

It has been a very rough few days...but we are getting there. Charlie is doing amazing! A few bumps in the road, but he is pushing through and is, as always, our inspiration. I have had some pain and nausea so it has been hard for me to update everyone, but it seems to have subsided so I will try to keep everyone in the loop now. Charlie’s creatinine level was 349 last week (before surgery) and today it is 33! So amazing! We are so excited for him! The doctors are saying that I may be able to go home tomorrow or Saturday, so that is great news. Charlie will be at SickKids for a while longer. Daddy and Auntie Vanessa have been AMAZING...so have all of the Grandparents and Aunties and Uncles who have helped. Seeing friends and family have really boosted our spirits. XO

[couragebravelion]

Surgery

The first thing Charlie said when he woke up was ‘I did it!’ He sure did! His creatinine, which is a level that they often check to measure how he is doing, was over 323 prior to surgery...we just received word that his is at 49. I don’t know if was ever at 49...even when he was a baby! I am extremely nauseous and falling asleep constantly, but wanted to let everyone know that we are doing well. According to the surgeon, as soon as the kidney was transplanted, it ‘came alive’! So amazing. So proud of our boy. I am also proud of Matty for being so strong. Yesterday was a hard day for everyone but we got through it. More later...

[couragebravelion]

Grandparents

Our children have 8 (yes, 8) amazing Grandparents. They are very lucky kids to have so many people who love them in their lives. We are very lucky parents to have them around to help guide us. It truly is amazing how supported we feel. It would be a very difficult journey without them, so this post is a shout-out to Grandma, Grandpa, Omee, Opa, Nana and Papa G, Nana and Papa Frank. We love you and thank you for all you have done and will be doing.

[couragebravelion]

Pre-op

Today, Charlie and I both had some pre-operative appointments. He was, as always, incredibly brave. Bloodwork: ‘I got this’, various tests, x-rays: ‘easy’. Unfortunately, his hemoglobin was low and so he needed a little help to produce more prior to the surgery next week. He had to get another injection, but it stung and he was pretty upset. He knows that just because he cries, it doesn’t make him any less brave or strong. He did so well today. One week from today, he will have a new kidney and life will change for the better. Night. 💕