I am happy to report — truly, and with deep gratitude — that Eliana’s labs have remained stable since October’s scare. October was terrifying. So being able to say that her numbers have held steady since then feels like a gift.

We are incredibly thankful that we were home together for the holidays. Ordinary moments — routines, meals, mornings and nights under the same roof — felt like a blessing this year. Stability hasn’t removed the pressure. It’s given us time — time we need to use wisely as we press forward.

And we know stability is not the end goal. It simply buys us the space to prepare for transplant.

The next chapter is still transplant — and the long, careful work of getting there.

Because of insurance requirements and medical policy, we aren’t able to move full force on every front at once. Only one person can be evaluated at a time. Right now, that person is PJ.

PJ is currently undergoing evaluation to be both a stem cell and kidney donor through the DISOT clinical trial at Stanford. So far, things have been encouraging. His blood work looks good. Even more importantly, Eliana’s labs showed no antibodies that would increase the risk of rejection — a huge and hopeful milestone.

The next step is imaging to check PJ’s anatomy and ensure that kidney donation would be safe for him. If that looks good, he would then travel to California for a much more thorough in-person evaluation.

If all of his checks continue to go well, and Eliana’s labs remain stable — and if the clinical trial timing and processes align — the earliest the stem cell portion could begin would be early fall of 2026. The kidney transplant itself would follow six to nine months later, possibly longer.

Time is a strange thing in this space. We are deeply thankful for the time we gained after the PD changes in October — time we weren’t sure we had in the thick of that hospital stay. At the same time, we know time isn’t guaranteed, and this process is long. Our prayer, every single day, is that peritoneal dialysis continues to be effective until transplant. PD is simply easier on her body than hemodialysis, and protecting her energy, nutrition, and strength matters so much as we look ahead.

For now, we are choosing gratitude.

Gratitude for stable labs.
Gratitude for being home.
Gratitude for time — even when that time feels uncertain.

We know the road ahead is long and complex. But we also know we are not walking it alone.

Thank you, always, for checking in, for praying, for sending love, and for holding space for our family even when there isn’t much new to report. Those quiet seasons matter too.

We’ll keep moving forward — carefully, prayerfully, and one step at a time. 💜