Update from Max’s doctor today ❤️

His doctor called today with the results from his most recent bloodwork, so I wanted to share an update.

His BUN is stable at 38.

BUN is a waste product created by the liver when the body breaks down protein. Healthy kidneys filter it out of the blood and into the urine.

📈 Is 38 high?

Yes. Normal is usually around 7–20, so 38 is considered a mild/moderate elevation.

🤝 Why is “stable” good news?

Even though it’s higher than normal, “stable” means it isn’t suddenly climbing or showing signs of an acute change. It suggests this is a chronic level his body has been maintaining.

His creatinine is currently 3.8.

This has been slowly trending up over the last few months from his previous baseline of 3.55.

Creatinine is another waste product (made by muscles during everyday activity). Healthy kidneys filter it out through urine, but when kidney function is reduced, it builds up in the blood.

📌 What does 3.8 mean?

Normal is usually around 0.7–1.3, so 3.8 is high and shows his kidneys are working at a reduced capacity. The gradual rise is something his team watches closely.

His GFR is currently 23.

Here’s the trend:

August: 28

December: 24

Now: 23

GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) is basically a measure of how well the kidneys are filtering — think of it like a “speedometer” for kidney function.

📉 What does 23 mean?

Normal is usually 90+, and a GFR of 23 places him in Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (Stage 4 is 15–29).

The small drop from 24 to 23 could be normal fluctuation, but the overall trend shows a gradual decline over time.

We’re taking everything one day at a time, staying focused on the plan, and so thankful for all the love and support you’ve shown our family ❤️

In a nutshell: we are still aiming for a transplant in June — and we are still hopeful we can find a living donor.