New pictures of Swen

Click on the link for some new pictures of Swen. He's almost 2 months old now and he's still the most beautiful baby on the planet. I can't wait to see him (and his mom and dad) this coming weekend.

www.picasaweb.google.com/DanandDebVanAlstine/PicturesofSwen

Gramma Debbie

Here I come!

I am sooooo excited! I am going to spend the Labor Day weekend with Dan! I'm flying out on Friday August 31st and flying back home Tuesday September 4. One of those days, I also hope to drive to Yuma to visit Amy, Adam and the most beautiful baby, Swen. A short trip, but I am grateful for any time I can be with them. Along with a nice visit with family, I am hoping for a dinner at Manuels, our favorite mexican food restaurant. I already know what I want to order...green corn tamales and iced tea, and plenty of chips and salsa. Mahalo to our Mililani church ohana for your gifts so I can visit Dan occasionally.

You might get a kick out of this. I've been enjoying reading my Bible and praying right before bed each night. My cat, Lovey, also enjoys it. She sits right next to me on the bed staring at me while I read out loud and pray out loud. When I'm pau, she is still staring at me, I tell her goodnight and when I turn out the light, she goes to the foot of the bed to sleep. Here is a picture of Lovey, looking like the queen of the house.

Blessings,
Debbie

Visit from the Clay ohana

Dan enjoyed the surprise visit from the Clay ohana from Mililani on July 31st. Here are some great pictures of the Patrick, Annie and the kids with Dan and his parents.

Dan is #6 in line!

I spoke to Dan's transplant coordinator at Mayo today. Dan's new MELD score is 20, same as the end of June. She also told us Dan's place in the transplant "waiting line" - Dan is #6 in line, meaning 5 people are ahead of him as of today August 6th. Lyndsay also told me that if a donor liver became available that was not a good match for the 5 patients ahead of him, that it could be offered to Dan. While no one knows when a liver will be available, Lyndsay confirmed that the wait is in terms of months now, not years. So, our prayer request today is for Dan to get a new liver for Christmas or earlier. But of course, we mostly want God's timing and His will to be done. Lyndsay also said that the hemotologist has given the go-ahead for the Phoenix blood bank to collect the blood needed for Dan's transplant, that the antibody situation is not enough of a factor to be a showstopper, nor is any plasma filtering or any other procedure needed. This is a big praise, we can move forward now to transplant.

Dan has been keeping busy with his laptop and wireless internet connection. He is spending several hours each day listening to online Bible studies from Chuck Swindoll and others. He is also writing. He has posted a number of journal/devotionals now on http://www.linesfromdanielsden.blogspot.com/ with more to come. Dan hopes these will also encourage you in your walk with the Lord. Feel free to click on "comments" at the end of each entry and let us know your thoughts.

Some have asked me (Debbie) how I'm doing. For me, it's one day at a time, some days are better than others. I am being loved through each day by my co-workers, my church ohana, my Mom, and many Christian friends all over. Dan and I talk by cell phone at least once a day. Nights are the hardest, you can pray for both of us to be able to sleep at night. I am amazed at how much I have grown spiritually through all of this. I have so much to share, but that's for the next post, or for having coffee together sometime.

In His Amazing Grace,
Debbie