Update on Cleo

Today we saw the nephrologist for Cleos' follow up appt. Everything went pretty well, with no real surprises. His GFR is now at 24 (up from 20!) so that has actually improved ever so slightly but he is still in stage 4 of kidney disease. Once that GFR drops to 15 he will be in full blown kidney failure so basically we need to try to preserve the remaining function for as long as possible and the only way we can do that now is with the proper diet. We are scheduled to see a nutritionist on Sept. 19 so they can help us with all those issues. He has already cut out salt and we're working on the protein (mostly red meat). That's really hard for a boy from Idaho who loves his meat and potatoes, but we'll get there!! Dr. Khan will be filling out the paperwork to get us in with the transplant team in Atlanta but she said that can take up to 2 months. At that appt. it will basically be 2 full days of testing and then he will be put on the "inactive" transplant list. He will not go on the "active" transplant list until his GFR is around 18 and that is when they will start doing the testing for any potential living donors. They will only test one donor at a time and at this time we're unsure who they decide to test first. It is a very lengthy process and quite expensive so that is why only 1 at a time. Since he could potentially not need a kidney for 6-12 months or even longer, it would be premature to test someone now and then have something change with their health and then find out they couldn't donate and have to start the process over with another donor. We will also be seeing someone with the dialysis team soon so they can go over the 2 different types of dialysis with us so when that time comes, we can make an informed decision of which would be better suited for Cleos' lifestyle. There's a good chance that when his GFR reaches 18 and we start the donor testing process that one will be found quickly and he will never actually reach 15 and need the dialysis, but rather get the transplant right away.

We continue to be very positive and are feeling totally comfortable with the dr. he's seeing. She is a "straight shooter" and tells it like it is without coming off as uncaring or rude. Her bedside manner is great and she has not once made us feel like we are taking up her precious time. Her staff seem to be very nice and helpful and the office doesn't feel depressing when you walk in which is something I'm very grateful for. Right now, I think the family seems to be more frustrated and feeling helpless than Cleo and I feel. Our kids are wonderful and just want their Dad to be healthy again, but he'll get there and he's still feeling really good right now so that' s just one more thing to be grateful for.

We are very thankful for all our family and friends and so appreciate all your prayers, calls and emails these past couple of weeks. We both feel the power of prayer works miracles and we hope that you will all continue to do that on Cleos' behalf. We sure do love each and every one of you and we will continue to keep you updated as things progress.

Family Time

It's Thursday morning and I just dropped Grandpa and Grandma Cheney at the Atlanta airport. We had a good time with everyone and was really glad they were able to come out and see our new home and also to see that Cleo is doing fine and feeling good. Tom and Cindy left on Monday morning and we were sad to see them go, but had fun with them. We went to Calloway Gardens on Saturday and spent the day there and in Pine Mountain just walking around and browsing the antique shops, eating lunch at a cute little restaurant and then had a "BIG" ice cream before heading home. Jarod and Lindsey came out on Sunday afternoon and Jarod cooked his famous ribs for us. It was a pretty laid back afternoon and the food was, of course, yummy! On Monday, Tom and Cindy had to head back to Houston and Cleo had to work so I took Grandpa and Grandma out to see his job and then we did a little shopping. When we got home, Grandma was trying to help by getting some things out of the trunk of the car while I got the mail and Grandpa was getting things out of the car. Anyhow, she backed up and tripped on the small incline in the garage. I could see her falling---the mail flew from my hands---but by the time I could run up the driveway it was all over with and she had fallen on the concrete. She twisted her knee, landing on her "bum" and hurting her right wrist. She "toughed" it out that night and the next day, but by Wednesday she was hurting pretty good so while Cleo and his Dad were off to see Jarods' job I took Grandma to the urgent care. To our surprise, they wouldn't accept Medicare so we had to go to the emergency room. Two hours later and many xrays later, they put a soft/semi hard splint on her wrist and said they couldn't tell because of the swelling if there was a break or not. She is to follow up with an orthopedic dr in 5-7 days and have it re-xrayed after the swelling goes down. Nice way to end their trip, huh???

Calloway Gardens

The Gang at Calloway Gardens

What's wrong with this picture? Leave it to Tommy to find the easy way around...

Sunday afternoon in the backyard

We couldn't get all 8 of us in the picture at once, so had to do 2 takes. Tom and Cindy agreed to be the official photographers and give up their spots one at a time

The big cast.

I sure appreciate all you did for us while you were here Grandpa. He was so gracious and hung my windchimes for me on the back patio, cut a few weeds in the woods for Cleo and hung a picture for me in the breakfast room. He's pretty handy and I could put him to work...which is why I'm sure he was glad to leave!!!! Cleo and I are both glad you were all able to come spend a little time with us. We love you all and hope you get home safely. It's now time to "get back to normal" and quit eating so much. Why is it that when we're with family all we do is eat??? I'm off to Florida next week for my dr. appt and to spend a few days with my friend Tammy. Before you know it, summer will be over so we will take full advantage of what's left of it. Hope all is good with the rest of ya.....

What a Wonderful World...

And I think to myself, What a Wonderful World. This is a line from my favorite song of all time by Louis Armstrong. As I awoke this morning these words came to me and I was reminded that indeed we do live in a wonderful world---surrounded by a very loving and supportive family and network of friends. We are blessed in ways too many to mention.

This week has been challenging, to say the least. On Tuesday Cleo and I went to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) to establish her as Cleos' physician in the event something ever came up with his kidneys. We were shocked (to say the least) to find out that he already required her attention. Bloodwork that was drawn in early June for another medical problem indicated that Cleo is in stage 4 of kindey disease. He is not very far from stage 5 with that being kidney failure!! In the next several weeks, he will be undergoing a battery of tests to determine what the next step will be but the dr. has prepared us for the very real possibility that when we go back on Aug. 25th to get the results of these tests that she will be putting him on a transplant list. Once he reaches kidney failure, he will be put on dialysis until a transplant can be done. The overwhelming support we've already had from family and friends leads us to the conclusion that a suitable kidney will be found in no time and his life will go on as planned.

We both have a "calm" about us and know in our hearts that everything will be fine. He is feeling great and has no symptoms at this time. He refuses to feel sorry for himself and would not want any of you to either. We will continue to live our lives normal and plan to do all the things we've always wanted and in our way. We love each of you and are so grateful for your presence in our lives. As the weeks and months go on, I will post updates. We won't be having any "pity parties" so don't look for any of that!!!