“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” Proverbs 16:9

Sometimes our plans are not God’s plans.  Two years ago Skip and I were both worked up as possible donors for Samuel and both were declared a good match and able to donate.  Skip has the same blood type and we decided that he would be the better donor.  When we arrived in San Francisco almost 3 weeks ago, how could we know that everything we had planned would be shaken?  After having labs redone and going through more thorough kidney testing, Skip received the news that he would not be able to donate one of his kidneys as planned.  This was devastating to us as parents.  With tears in his eyes, Skip looked at Samuel and admitted, “I don’t get to be your hero.”  To which Samuel replied, “That’s okay, you’re still my hero.”

So, the next obvious step is for me (Terri) to continue the donor process.  After a week of testing, there are a couple of results that could exclude me from donating as well.  And I’ll admit it breaks my heart.  But we need to be realistic and plan for the possibility of my not being the donor.

The first option is another living donor.  Someone who is willing to go through the same process Skip and I have done, to determine if they are a match and see if they are free from medical issues that would preclude them from donating.  This starts with simple lab work.  This will determine antibodies, blood type and cross matching with Sam blood work.  If that is a go, the next step will be a day of in person testing and meeting with the doctors at UCSF.  

The other option is to go with a cadaver (deceased) donor.  This is where someone has died (usually in an accident) and the family consents to organ donation.  If you haven’t signed up to be an organ donor in case of accident, you can sign up at your local dmv or online.  This is where most transplants come from.  Two drawbacks from this kind of donor is that there is not enough kidneys to meet the demand of those awaiting transplant, and that the success rate and longevity isn’t as good as a living donor.

We know that God has a plan for Sam.  We are in prayer that a donor can be found before he has to go onto dialysis (which also decreases transplant success).  We trust that the Lord will bring the right person at the right time.  Maybe it’s you.  If you are interested to see if you’re a possible donor, please fill out this short questionnaire at www.ucdonor.org.  When you do, send your name and birthdate to me at the email link at the top of this page so I can make sure you are correctly and quickly linked to Sam.

We are taking this one day at a time.  We know that sometimes our plans are not God’s plans.  But we rest in that His plans are always for our best

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11