It was a whirlwind of a day. We arrived at the hospital at 11:30. Wes had a chest X-ray, EKG & 9 vials of blood drawn. Wes and I met with the transplant surgeon. He explained procedures and informed us that a kidney when taken from a cadaver sometimes is more “lazy” and can take a few days to start fully functioning. He explained that this is because when the person expires there is a period of time where the kidney is no longer getting oxygen and blood flow and as soon as possible they need to extract the kidney and prepare it for transplant. In this case, it was a total of 26 min which is very reasonable. They do not like to use kidneys that have expired over 60 min.
By 1:35 the surgeon had signed off on Wes’ chart and he was ready to go to the operating waiting room. Once there it was more routine questions and paper work. He met his anesthesiologist who informed him he will be there when he put him to sleep, throughout the surgery and when he woke up. Wes remained in this room for about an hour then off to surgery. This is where I left him and the waiting began.
At 4:45pm I got a call from the OR informing me that surgery had begun and Wes was doing well. A little after 6:00pm I received the second call letting me know that kidney was in place and Wes was still doing well. At 9:00pm I received the final call saying that the surgery was over, Wes was doing well and Dr. Ramirez was coming up to give me the report. About 20 minutes later I spoke with the doctor.
Dr Ramirez said that the surgery went well. When he placed the kidney into Wes it was very pink. He transplanted the kidney into Wes’ body and at one point when he looked at it he said it looked like it was changing color. He was very concerned that Wes’ body was rejecting the kidney and that the vessels were closing off. At this point the kidney had not been doing anything. Over a period of 30 min He warmed it up a little more and gave it an injection. Immediately the kidney turned pink, started to produce urine and show signs of function. Dr. Ramirez was very much relieved but kept an eye on it for a while longer before closing him up.
10:30pm Wes was taken to his room for the night. He struggled for the next few hours with pain. They gave him morphine but it wasn’t taking the edge off. Over the next 3 hours they gave him higher and more frequent doses but still much pain. Around at 2:30am they gave him Dilaudid which finally gave him relief and he was able to fall asleep.
Nurses came in every hour to empty his urine and continue his pain medicine. This morning at 7:00am they did an ultrasound. The blood flow to and from the kidney looks really good. Over the next few days they will watch him very carefully and do their best to prevent any unexpected reactions like last time.
10:00am Dr. Ramirez stopped in with his team to check up on Wes and give him the report he gave me last night. They are very pleased with the outcome so far and they will be starting him on Cumadin to help prevent the blood from clotting in the kidney like last time. They are uncertain of how long he will be on Cumadin but at least till the 3 month check up, where they will evaluate him and see if the kidney is strong enough and can continue without it.
Wes is currently on a liquid diet and if his body can handle it they may be switching him to solids by this afternoon. For now he is resting. Later, Physical Therapy will be stopping by and wanting him to walk down the halls and sit in the chair in his room.
Any comments and notes of encouragement you write on the blog, I will be sure to read to Wes. Thank you for all your prayers.
Karen
Praise God for the good report!!! We will be in continual prayer for the kidney to keep functioning without complications. May God give you both the peace that He alone can give as you go through this journey.
Praise God – hang in there – all of you!
Praise the Lord! Tell Wes we are praying for him and that I am excited to here of the results. We remain cautiously optimistic. Let him know we love him and his ministry. Karen we are also praying for you and the kids. Its times like these that having a strong family that loves the Lord is the best medicine going.
Praise God!! Im already planning a 500 mile bike trip for us next week. Im going to need a 10ft cheesesteak to go with that bike trip….karen…
So Glad to hear all is going well,
This is good news. Continuing to Pray!
Marti
Praying for you all!!
We praise the Lord 4 His goodness & mercy. May He receive all the glory.
Glad to hear all is well and the pain is being managed now. We will keep praying. Jake saw the picture of Wes in the hospital bed and seemed impressed that you were in a Big Boy bed like him – I think the railing makes it look like his bed. Thanks for the updates, my parents and their church are praying as well.
I am happy to hear things are going well. Work the process Wes. Keeping your and your family in my thoughts. Hang in there man!
Mike
Praying for you Wes! Especially about the first walk and sit up you have to do…
I’m hoping and praying that I get a chance to witness you like your “normal” self, before all this kidney junk happened. If I know you, you’ll probably not have enough things to do you’ll have so much energy! Soo…paintball this summer? Whaddya say?
Praying for all of you. Wes for speedy recovery and and strength to endure. Praying for the family and sending our love.
I pray that this time it will work out for good. Have a speedy and complete recovery. May God pour out His blessings on your family.
How Great Is Our God!!!!! May the “stream” continue…. 🙂 Rejoice, I say Rejoice!!!! Love to you, your family and your mom and dad. Still praying fervently…..
We continue to hold you all in our prayers. Ryleigh hopes her other sister’s big man is doing better.
Praise the Lord for a match and good surgery. Let’s pray this kidney is IT! I am praying for you Wes and Karen…and kids.
We praise God for His hand on all. Praying for your quick recovery. Praying also for donor’s family. Wish we were there. Will be soon, Lord willing. Sending love across the miles. Task to you a bit later.
Hey Wes, We’ll be praying for you as you go through these trials. As always, let us know if there’s something more specific to pray for. We love you all.
Dear all: Praise the Lord! We continue to pray for you all during this transition time. Margaret and Lem, Seoul, Korea
We’re praying for you all and praising God for each step forward!
Wes and Karen,
“How great is our God” we have been praying and our hearts are still racing with how quick everything happened. Thank you for all the updates we are smilin at how well you are doing. Hang in there as you live thru yet another great story to tell your grandkids some day.
Wes rest today so you can PARTY tomorow…….happy early birthday…….are we the first one’s to tell ya??
prayin….yep prayin for “y’all” (as they say in GA)
Kris and Sandy
by the way a new birthday kidney….it is a direct gift from the Lord! WOW! what a birthday gift, huh?
Wes and Karen -We are thinking of you both and praying for you, while praising God for the successful surgery. We have put you on our church prayer chain as well. We are also praying for the family that lost a loved one so that you might have a kidney. Mega hugs to each of you!
So very, very excited and praying for you all!
Praise God for answered prayers. He is so good and we know that He is in control. I have been praying for the doctors, too. I am praying for you, Wes, that you have a good recovery & I am praying for strength for you Karen. I know it is hard on the spouse, too & you two are like one. I’m praying for the children, too. I love all of you & thank God for giving you all to me. Love, Grandma
Wes and Karen,
Marlowe and I are praying for u. Glad the surgery went well. If there is anything that you need give us a call. Will do anything to help a brother and sister thru christ. Take care and god bless. We will continue to pray for you and the family.
I’m glad to hear the prayers have been answered!! I pray that the medicine continues to help Wes with the pain and that the Coumadin is the answer to keep the kidney from rejecting…of course I know Wes God is the true answer but you know what I mean! I hope to follow along by way of the internet but I’m leaving for vacation shortly (of course it’s always when I’m leaving for vacation that these things happen to Wes) but Ursula is going to bring her computer so I hope to follow that way so i don’t have to call and bother you guys!! I’m only going to Ocean Grove, NJ so if you need me I can be there in a flash….OK maybe about 2 hours….but don’t hesitate to call me.
Love you guys and I’m still praying!!
Still praying fervently, knowing these are critical days. Am claiming Psalm 22: 5 for you Wes – read this in my morning quiet time – seems very appropriate. It says, “They cried to you and were saved, in you they trusted and were not disappointed.”
We have an awesome God!.
Love you all,
Aunt Debbie
I’ve been trekking through Isaiah 41 over the last week and wanted to share some scripture with you guys…vs. 8-10 “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ” vs. 13 “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” vs.18-20 “I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water…that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.”
Wes & Karen, Thank you for your faith and trust in a God who is soverign, eternal and good. He loves you very much and knows exactly what you are each going through. He is making this as “painless” as is necessary in order to accomplish His plan through you and each of us that are praying and those watching you. Hang on He taking us on a wild ride! It’s amazing to watch Him work. We love you and your family Tom & Kathy
Praise the Lord! We continue to pray for you, Wes, for your new kidney, and for all of your family. Glory to God!
You may not remember us Wes, but we sure remember you as an ACTIVE teen ager. Prayers are ascending far and wide for you and your lovely family. While the sun shines all day long and the temp. is around 90% here in Florida, we continue intercession for you, your doctors, family, and family of the donor. Praise our loving Heavenly Father for sucessful surgery and continue improvement day by day. “His Grace is sufficient”.Jack & Marjorie Clark
James 1:12 (New International Version)
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Wes – God has a special journey for each of us – but I admit, yours has more twists and turns than most of us. I was reflecting on the resurrection story this morning in regards to you in that Jesus had to die for us to have life – and someone yet unknown to us had to die for you to get a kidney. Death brings life!
See if you can find the name of the donor’s family – I would like to encourage them that their loved one helped another live.
We love you and your family brother – I look forward to seeing you this weekend
Larry
Wes and family,
I have thought of you often in the recent weeks and prayed for you. My son’s classmate’s dad was in desperate need of a kidney for the past 2 years. Just 2 months ago God answered our prayers for a kidney for him too! Another classmate’s mom donated her kidney for him. Seeing their story unfold kept you in my prayers!
I am praying for you and your new kidney!!
-Susannah
I have been, and will continue to pray for your strength – and that your body continues to accept and keep this kidney. God has his hands on you, and I am standing in faith with you and your family.
Wes,
Hang in there man!! I’m glad things sound/ seem to be working out — you’ve been in our thoughts and prayers and when stuff like this happens, I miss even more being so far away — I’m hoping we can connect again soon! You are loved, my friend!
Jason
Praise the Lord for the kidney becoming available and especially for how well Wes is doing. Praying all will heal well and the kidney stays healthy! Praying for less pain also.
God’s comfort and peace as only He can provide be with the whole family!
Wes,
You are still in my prayers as is the family that lost a loved one. Your journey has been long and tough and I pray that God will allow you to heal completely so you can have the time and energy to continue to serve Him and raise your family. If I can do anything to help, let me know. Love to you and Karen.
Evelyn Yerkes
Hey Wes and Karen-
What a GREAT birthday present! We continue to pray for you, your family, your medical team, your donor’s family and for everyone you will have contact wtih. We know that God had this day and time appointed for your surgery to happen and we know that God will use you to bring Him glory. The first kidney transpalnt was when God used Wes to touch Julie’s life. There might just be another “Julie” at Jefferson that needs to see Jesus lived out. Thanks for who you both are and for serving Him through challenges!
Love you guys!
Steve, Robyn, Stephen and LeighAnn
So glad that things look good. I pray God’s peace for your nerves and to help manage the pain, God’s blessings on your body, and God’s wisdom for those who bring you to wholeness.
Wes and Karen,
We are praying for God to allow everything to function and heal quickly. It is amazing as we talked the other night how quick things transpired. We know God is in control and can heal you in a mighty way.
Love ya’ll,
Kevin and Pattie
Wes and Karen,
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love Theresa
Your faith and courage have been a wonderful testimony to me as I learn to live with some minor health inconveniences. God gets all the glory for this awesome surgery. Praying all continues to go well.
Hugs,
Trish
Karen,
Thank you for the wonderful news. God is so good and I will continue to pray for Wes and the kidney and the family that lost a family member.
I have asked my friends to continue to pray for Wes and healing with no problems with the kidney.
God is so good.
RoseAnn
We’re definitely keeping you and your family in our prayers. We hope for a smooth recovery by the grace of God.
-Hou Family.
Mr C, our thoughts & prayers are with you! Take hold of your healing and rock those doctor’s world for Christ! See you real soon…
Wes, I’ve been praying on a daily basis for you and your family. We all know that God is in control and we’re all praying that it’s His perfect plan to give you a complete and perfect recovery. May God bless, guide and direct you and give your doctors and health care personnel great wisdom as they treat you daily; praying that God would be glorified through this. Again, God bless you and your loved ones.
Wes would agree: God has been great when the first kidney failed and now as the second continues to look good. Adversity can be the source of peace and contentment in the Lord, whether we receive what we want or not. Wes, God has and continues to use you greatly and has made a special case out of you by not always giving what you want when you want it. You have helped me by your example when disappointments visited us . And Karen, your faithfulness to God and Wes in all of this makes God look good to all us. Mary and I will continue to admire and support you in prayer and friendship.
Happy Birthday, my friend,
I hope the pain is better today. I am still poolside, but thinking of you always.
Be good and tell that kidney to behave.
Wes and Karen
Praise God for this answer to prayer! I know dialysis has not been easy and am so pleased it is ending for you! Praying this kidney lasts a good long time and you get to return to normal life!
Love your brother (from another mother)
Sean