The Hirtles are home! After 2 and 1/2 months of living out of suitcases in a small room at Ronald McDonald House, they are finally able to sleep in their own beds. Anni has been given permission to eat anything she wants, a real luxury after her long stretch of having to severly limit her diet.

Now comes the task of cleaning out the mountains of dialysis supplies so Anni can transform her bedroom from dialysis center to teenager’s refuge. There will also be the challenge of trying to catch up with school work so she can graduate from high school on time.

Also, there will be many trips back to Salt Lake City to keep an eye on her health and to watch for any signs of kidney transplant rejection. So far, the doctors are amazed at how well she is doing. Keep those prayers going up!

Emma, her kidney donor, is back at BSU and doing well. She and Anni have formed a lifelong bond. 

Part of the aftermath of kidney transplant is facing the stack of bills that just seem to keep on coming. Jonathan and Sue Ellen are working with financial counselors to help them work through the complicated web of insurance companies, Medicaid and other sources to help them whittle the expenses down. Those of you who have given to COTA for Team Anni can never know what a blessing you have been and continue to be. Your love and support means everything to Anni, Emma and their families.

If you haven’t given yet, please consider doing so. And please pray that we will see more of this beautiful smile on Anni’s face as seen here in her senior picture. After so much hardship, she needs to remember that she has a future and a hope. Every time we hear her laugh, we will be thankful.