Submitted by Mike on Thu, 08/28/2008 – 12:52am.
Hello Everyone–
Today was Brandon’s 1 year Kidney Anniversary!!!!!!!!! We had hoped to be able to celebrate at home with all of his friends and family however we are STILL living in Pennsylvania! Since we last updated Brandon has been in and out of the hospital dealing with a variety of issues. He has had several renal ultrasounds and DID end up having to have the V.C.U.G. test that we were dreading. This time he was given valium to try and keep him calm (no such luck!) Things are beginning to improve and we are hoping we will be able to return home soon!!
Today, however, we spent the day celebrating the wonderful gift we’ve been given! We took Brandon to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium(Check out the photo’s in the photo album). He had so much fun looking at all the animals!! Going to the zoo at the end of August is much different in Pennsylvania than in Florida. It was 68 degrees out and we wore sweatshirts!!!!!!! After the zoo we went to eat at the Olive Garden. We brought a cake and surprised him! What a GREAT DAY!! There were no Dr.’s or lab visits today, just a whole lot of well deserved fun!!
Brandon continues to grow and is very bright. We have taken down his crib and he is now in a “Big Boy” bed! We bought him a Thomas the Train toddler bed and he LOVES it!!! The season’s are beginning to change here once again. Leaves are turning beautiful colors and the day’s seem to be getting cooler and cooler.
Mike and I can not believe Brandon’s Transplant took place a year ago. Where does the time go?
Since Brandon’s Transplant
He has had- 95+ lab draws!
Taken med.’s- 3,950 times!
We have driven over 6,700 miles back and forth to the hospital!
Brandon has grown 5 inches and gained 6 pounds!
Brandon has increased 3 1/2 shoe sizes and 4 whole clothes sizes!
And of course we have spent a COUNTLESS number of days wondering what to do next for Brandon’s care!
We had no idea a year ago what the next 12 months would bring. Only taking each day as it came. Watching Brandon play with his toys or run around the house only reminds us how blessed we are to have him in our life! It also reminds us how lucky we are to have Friends, Family and Co-Worker’s who have stood by us this past year! THANK YOU All SO MUCH!!! Love, Mike and Julie