Today is one year from the day that I asked Aidan to be my kidney recipient … not your typical Valentine but it was fitting!  I cannot believe it has been a year since I was approved.  So much has happened, with Aidan, with our family, within the world! Aidan has overcome so many hurdles in these past 10 months.  Transplant, recovery, EBV, tonsillectomy, multiple hospitals stays from getting sick/dehydrated and Covid.  We have had some really high highs and some pretty low lows.  He has enjoyed basketball and another season will be starting soon.  He’s loving school and his teacher this year.  The start of this year has been a rough one though.  His creatinine keeps creeping and they don’t feel comfortable chalking it up to growth and/or covid.  He’s having a kidney biopsy Wednesday to make sure his kidney is okay and not being rejected. I cannot explain the emotions wrapped up in to this one procedure.  But we also found out he fell off his new growth curve and she wants to start him on a growth hormone likely in a couple weeks… ugh!  We don’t think he’ll be fine as a five foot adult like his mom?!?!  I think the hardest part from this last visit was what Aidan realized.  His nephrologist was explaining the need for the biopsy and said- this is a good kidney.  This is YOUR kidney, we need it to last 20+ years.  ????  The next day Aidan came home from school really upset.  I thought it was the looming biopsy itself until he shouted “And why did she say 20 years!?!? I won’t be dead in 20 years?!?! That’s not long!”  My heart sank.  And I cried.  I did not want Aidan to know this was not a permanent “fix” like so many think.  I did not want Aidan to join me in the constant worry for when that day comes.  Ugh.  That being said, we are confident in his team at Luries and grateful for the proactive approach.  I am beyond blessed he is my match and my forever valentine.  And I am forever in awe of him and his sister (who is more amazing and strong herself these days).

happy valentines all.  Hug your loved ones tight and send some extra prayers to mine as well.  Xoxo