November 24, 2012

It has been 6 months since Noel had his Liver Transplant and we can't believe it!  

A lot has gone on since last month.  We received information from his Kidney doctor that Noel would eventually need a Kidney Transplant.   Noel & I received our packet in the mail recently to prepare him for this stage in his life a Kidney Transplant.  This is all too familiar to us.  Not more than 2 years ago we were going through the same process preparing him for a Liver Transplant.  We are not sure of the depth of the tests he will need until we meet with his kidney doctor in January.  But we know there are tests very familiar that we will be doing in the upcoming months.  One of them is his eyes examined.  Yes!  We did that last week and out of Brett, Noel & I guess who had the healthy eyes and no change.  That would be Noel!  So now on to a dentist appointment to clear Noel of any infection.  He has an appointment set for next week.  With each of these appointments we present each doctor with a form to be filled out so that we can returned it to his doctors to add to the process of being put on the Transplant list.  We don't wish this process on anyone because of the stress it brings but Noel and I have prepared ourselves emotionally & physically to go through this process again.  If it wasn't for prayers from others, the ability to pray ourselves and our faith we don't know how we would get through this process.

With a busy November month already of Diabetes, Eye, Dentist and Lab appointments this isn't unusual to us.  Noel & I continue our weekly trek to the University of Utah Hospital for lab work sometimes more if doctors need to change medicines.  But the drive gets easier every time you drive.  Noel now has been putting up with my funny remarks of others driving for 2 years now.  Sometimes I think I am talking to myself but I know he's listening and can't believe what I am saying.  I think he is in shock!  I really need to write a book!  

The end October we were able to get together as a family and have a Halloween Party for the kids.  It started off with a scavenger hunt and of course Noel was right in the middle of it.  Craft time and a yummy dinner shared with all our kids, Papa Carl & Nana Lu. . .

Keep Searching Kids!

Great Costumes!

Craft Time!  Great pictures Kids!

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Rewind to November 2010 brought Noel quite a quiet month of only a couple of appointments and time to be thankful for many things.  Still a bit sluggish!

Fast forward to November 2011 met with a psychologist in three different appointments as part of the prep for the Transplant list.  CT Scan at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, (2)Liver Clinic appointments and labs.  Noel showing signs of extreme fatigue.  His liver starting to get harder because of the disease and stomach bloating more.  Noel sleeping a lot more as well but continues to go to work.  By the end of the month another emergency appointment at the Liver Clinic.  Noel was showing signs of bloating, pain, not eating much, slurring speech, slow reflex's.  New medication for water retention and itching added.  CT results look good no signs of cancer.  Did not have to be hospitalized just increased his dose of Lactulose.  MELD SCORE 15 . . .

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With this season of Thanksgiving our family does have a lot to be grateful for.  A second chance for my husband, our dad, papa and friend to live again.  We are very grateful for the family that chose to donate their loved ones organs so others and Noel so they could have that second chance at life.