For those who may not know, April is National Donate Life Month, and this week is National Pediatric Transplant Week—so fitting for Dierks.

Dierks was released from the hospital on Sunday, just 5 days after his kidney transplant. Truly amazing. His creatinine went from 6.57 before surgery to 1.71 just 36 hours after (high normal is 1.17), which is incredible progress.

He’s feeling pretty good and already moving around better than Ashley — he makes sure to remind her of that often. His energy is still low, but that’s expected after such a big surgery!

Over the next few weeks, Dierks have labs 3 times a week and weekly doctor visits to monitor everything. Dierks and Ashley will be staying near the Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis during this time.

We are so thankful for all the love, support, and prayers from family, friends, and our community. It truly means so much!