It seems our worlds are still stuck in a cycle. Kidneys are still injured/delayed and can’t eliminate enough fluid; fluid backs up on his heart and lungs and he can’t breath; his heart rate and blood pressure decrease; his kidneys get even less blood flow and have a limited chance to wake up. So we have been back in the ICU for closer monitoring but honestly, we are so thankful to be there. He is back in the unit where he waited for his transplants so we are with a team that intricately knows us for over 4 months. This is the absolute most elite team in the entire Cleveland Clinic in our opinion and we couln’t be in better hands. They are altering and delicately monitoring different options for medications and dialysis choices in hopes of (A) leaving ICU for step down, (B) capabilities for leaving the hospital for outpatient dialysis which clearly would need to be 4 days a week or less, and (C) function of the new kidney increasing. As always, as long as Alan is comfortable/not in immense pain we don’t mind being here as it truly has been so long that it feels like home. 

The best part is that Reese came to visit on May 22… and we just kept her. We don’t always have a perfect routine and I definitely spend sigfinicantly less time in Alan’s room, but it has rejuvenated and healed us so we continue to make it work. Although Alan has still had a few rough days where he could have used undivided attention, he acknowledged how hard the job of a caregiver was, separate from his own journey of illness, and knew I needed Reese here regardless of how overextended it could feel… and he was right. Reese is bringing him plenty of joy but I needed her here to refill my soul. Our typical day is waking up around 7:30 and leaving for the hospital around 9. After breakfast and games together with Dad, Reese and I leave between 1-5ish, usually stopping at the playground in Little Italy (as long as there are few enough or no kids so Reese can remain isolated) before lunch and a nap at the apartment. Then we return to Alan’s room until as late as Reese can hang which usually involves movies, puzzles, and significantly more snuggles, plus later than average bedtimes but it’s worth it. The days are exhausting and demanding, but her presence genuinely has erased the majority of the trauma from these 5 months. My soul is complete again and her giggles, screams, and runs invigorate not just Alan, but his entire unit including the nurses, physicians, and CTs that have practically become family. I am just so thankful that even though Alan still has significant recovering left, at least his new heart gives him the energy for her to be here with us. 

Lastly, our amazing friends and family have been working tirelessly to make these COTA fundraisers a reality. They are flying up on us so fast. There is only 1 week left in this first batch of shirt sales (however at least 2 more batches will follow) and the cornhole tournament and outdoor event is in two weekends. We really need hype for these events. We hope to see you there, or sporting a “recycled parts” shirt soon, but moreso, if you haven’t shared them on social media please spread the word. They can only be as successful as the amount of people who know. Also, we have t-shirts from a different vendor that will be available in time to wear to the cornhole event so please contact myself, Tom (my dad), Kristin (my sister), or Renee/Shannon (my sweet friends) to acquire one. Remember, the Spaghetti dinner event will be Sunday afternoon July 24th, but we are most focused in these two upcoming June items first. If you have items or a group that may be interested in donating to the auction items, please contact us. Thank you for helping share this portion.