We have been updating many of you by email, phone, text and conversation since last fall. We have had a lot of activity since January and we were getting all set for a transplant on May 31st, but that is now, no longer happening. Here is the story since last fall.
November 2010
I was cleared by my Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) transplant team for another surgery. After spending months researching me and biopsying Steve’s kidney (the one that clotted) they found nothing wrong with me or with the kidney. The clot was simply a “freak of nature.” To read about how that happened and read my thoughts on that, go here.
December 2010
My brother Dave, who we knew was a match, offered his kidney. We began making plans for a March transplant. Dave and his family are seriously contemplating a move to Southern California (for work) this summer, and we wanted to get him healed and able to support his family by June. That was the purpose of the March date.
January 2011
I had lunch with Jeremy Labosier and he told me he was a match for me and wanted to give. I first met Jeremy the day of my surgery last year. He was a friend of my brother Steve and came down from Massachusetts to be a help to Steve and the family in any way possible. While he watched us go through this process of transplant and failure, he felt the Lord telling him to check to see if he could be a donor. Outside of our knowledge, he went through that process last summer and fall, and even made some pretty big life changes to make it possible to give. He found out he was a match and came to me to ask if I would accept his kidney. I checked with Dave (he was more than willing to let Jeremy “budge” in line) and we began the process of getting Jeremy and me ready.
February – April 2011
Jeremy went through a battery of tests before they would clear him for transplant. Once they did, we set a date for May 31st. We have been prepping for this date for some time now. Even though Jeremy was initially cleared, there were more tests that needed to be done. Usually these are more of a formality, in that, he was already matched and ruled in good health. The tests get more involved though to be sure that the donor is really healthy enough to give. Jeremy was flagged on 4 issues, three of which he was unaware of previously. The fourth was an issue that he had been told all his life, “No worries, its no big deal.” Well the first three issues ended up being nothing and the fourth was what disqualified him today (April 26, 2011). TJUH did a series of tests on Jeremy and it turns out that the “it’s no big deal” is a form of auto-immune issue that is laying dormant. They can’t tell yet what it is yet. It is not yet manifesting itself fully. But because many auto-immune issues can cause kidney issues (that is what I have), they cannot let him give a kidney.
What now?
I have no clue what is next as far as my kidney’s go. My brother is getting ready to move across the country so using his kidney is a bit more complicated than five months ago, so I am not even sure this is a viable option in the near future. I am at the top of the donor list and could get a cadaver kidney but every single kidney specialist and practitioner in my life has said not to go that route if I have the potential of living donors. I was all geared up to be off dialysis and now I am back in the unknown world of “When will this end?!”
What I do know is that the same God who we felt blessed by in January is still the same God who is in charge now. We praised God in our church when I shared up front that I had a donor whom I hardly knew. Together we said, “Wow! God is so amazing. He called a near-perfect stranger from five hours away to donate.” And, “Isn’t that just like God to surprise us with goodness. He’s always doing something we don’t know about.” It was easy to praise Him and accept His plan when it worked in our (my) favor. How, now, can I say the same is not true? Is He not awesome because he took this option away? Is He not the one who surprises with goodness just because my date is no longer fixed? How can I say that this is not an act of goodness? What kind of worship would I truly be summoning if it is only based on getting my way? And further, how many other times in my life did I think “I know what is best” only to find out that my way is destructive? Am I really qualified to say God has messed this one up? No, I am forced to believe that the same God who woke me up today, put breath in my lungs and caused the sun to shine all day long is up to something and I just need to wait to see what that is.
Prayer Requests
1. Please pray for Jeremy. Here’s a 27 year old who heard God call him to do an amazing act of kindness and then God says, “By the way, I asked you to do this so that you will discover I have another plan for you. This one might have some pain involved.” Pray for his faith to grow and his trust in God to blossom.
2. Please pray for my kids. While they don’t fully get all the implications, this is an opportunity, yet again, for Karen and I to help them discover who God is and why He is worth living for. We want them to some how catch that through our journey.
3. Please pray for Karen. We don’t know what God is doing but she is trying hard to support me and the kids and while she will never say it, it is hard on her heart to watch me struggle each day.
4. Pray for His glory to be revealed. I believe there is a purpose in all this and I want to be faithful to God’s calling. I have said before, I am just a single character in God’s great story. I think it’s better that I be a protagonist for His glory rather than an antagonist. Pray that I play my part well and with conviction.
wes©
Wes,
I love your spirit!! Keep praying! We are too.
Heidi
Wes and Karen
Wow! Our gracious Lord gives and He takes away. What an amazing and perplexing story.
Praying for God’s will to be done and for peace and wisdom for you
In Him,
Sean
As I sit here with tears in my eyes I too know that GOD has a plan in all of this….I sure wish we knew the end of your story today but I know that we must wait for it Trust Him in it and continue to Know that HE is in control of all of it. Love you guys and I’m always here for you….no matter what!! Look forward to hanging with the kids this weekend!! Give you two some time to yourselves!!
Not sure what happened to my other comment…anyway, praying here as always for all.
Love,
Trish
It’s hard to know what to say. You have gone through so much with your health over the years. You have a strong faith and dependence on God. My heart aches for you and your family. I know if God returned your health, you would serve him fervently with your new found strength but for now He has chosen to leave you weak so His strength may be seen. This is a tough journey to travel especially when you want the energy to serve Him and raise your family. I often think of Joni Erickson Tada and how she has served God with only the use of her head. She has done more with her head than I have done with my whole body. I see that in you also. You have continually served Him even with all your health issues. He will bless you for that. I will pray for strength and new mercies every day for you and that He will supply a healthy kidney. You all are in my heart and prayers. Love you guys.
I prayed for you, Karen and the children just now. Thank you for sharing your life with us and reminding us that God is good ALL the time.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
E continue to lift you all up in prayer. Be still and know…
For Jeremy – like Abraham who was ready to sacrifice his son out of obedience, God saw your obedience and blessed you for it. You also now know something about yourself that you might not have – perhaps to your detriment.
Wes and Karen – you know He is faithful beyond anything we can imagine. He always provides. I long ago gave up needing to know what He is doing and our part in all of it – it’s enough to know that He loves us immensely!!!
I know how disappointing this must feel, but hang in there – great things are coming.
We are praying for you and your family too. Let us know if we can ever do anything for any of you.
To God be all the Glory! Such a comfort to know He’s in control. I’ve been praying for you, Wes, Jeremy and the doctors right along here. I’m breathless with the evidence of His presence and love. I have a scripture in front of my keyboard… Luke 12:2 “The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.” He’s speaking that today. Praise God!!!
Dear Wes,
Thank you for this update. I am praying for each of your requests above and more…I was reading today in Oswald Chamber’s “If ye shall ask” text…
“The good of praying is that it gets us to know God and enables God to perform His order through us, no matter what His permissive will may be. A man is never what he is ‘in spite’ of his circumstances, but ‘because’ of them” (OC).
“Circumstances are like feather beds–very comfortable to be on top of but immensely smothering if they get on top of you. Jesus Christ, by the Spirit of God, always keeps us on top of our circumstances” (Reader Harris).
Wes you have consistently shown us that this is really true. Your testimony is true, and you are faithful to the One who is always faithful to you (us).
Please keep us all posted.
We’re on this journey with you!
Wes, Karen & your precious kids … WOW!! What a roller coaster ride you’ve been on. So sorry that the countdown to your surgery is delayed. Know how stressful this can be for you all. Also know you will be faithful as you watch and wait on him. You are an adventuresome person and always seek the good in what God does in your life.
You and your family are such a testimony to the love and grace of our God. I’m thankful you are always quick to give him the glory. Thanks for living so consistently for him when your world turns upside down.
We love you and are praying with you and expecting God to work this out for his good.
Miracles do happen and we don’t have to fear the future … He’s already there.
Our love and prayers,
Bob and Pat
Praying for you, Karen and the kids. Thank you for sharing your journey and for sharing your faith in a faithful, loving God.
Marti
I’m sorry Wes. Today I told Carmen’s story at MOPS and afterward, I thought to myself that testimonies are largely painful. Seems that we as humans are most impacted by hearing others stories of trials, pain and suffering. For some reason, God has allowed you to have a powerful testimony. I’m thankful that you are praising Him through the storms.
I cannot add to what has been said. I found myself nodding my head in agreement as I read about your recent journey. We serve an awesome God. When I/we go through difficult times I often think of the old hymn, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.” Guess that’s what it’s all about…..
What an amazing testimony! I’m so touched by your faith and understanding. I pray that it will be God’s will that a match is found for you and that Jeremy’s faith with grow through this journey…
Wes, God is touching many lives with your testimony. I pray for God’s all sufficient and perfect grace throughout this time for you, Karen, your children, Dave and Lana, and all others involved. May you all see the beauty He brings forth from ashes and may your faith and reliance on Him become greater and greater.
Charlotte (Lana’s mom)
Wes,
I have been getting update from your sister-in-law Linda since last year. I am so glad that you included a link to your family blog. Know that I am praying and am looking forward to what God has planned for you and your family. God’s glory will be revealed in his time and it will blow us all away when it is finally revealed.
Blessings.
RoseAnn
Thanks all for your prayers and thoughts. God is already showing us that He is at work in this process. We will keep the website updated.
I’ve learned of your story from Priscilla and I’ve prayed for you and Jeremy..you are truly an inspiration! May your faith sustain you with the strength needed to live fully each day! You’ve increased my faith….thank you.
Wes we love you and like I did as a jr boy in your youth ministry, I will continue to look up to you and your steadfast faith in God…
Thank you for being such an example.
Brennen & Anita