More updates

I'm back in Phoenix and having a great time with Dan and family. We saw the new movie "The Game Plan" and we highly recommend it to everyone - no swear words an d a funny, touching movie. We have enjoyed eating out at Olive Garden, and tonight is mexican food at Manuels - yay! It's getting cooler here also, finally out of the 100's. Dan bought a new Timex watch and now he has a new motto: lika a Timex, Dan "takes a licking, but keeps on ticking."

Thursday, Dan had his updated labs and imaging, then we met with the transplant coordinator and the doctor. His labs and MELD score are the same as they were the end of June and he's in about the same place on the waiting list. The urinalysis from the ER trip on Monday showed a slight bacterial infection. The imaging showed another kidney stone, so they think that's what caused the bacterial infection. So they will be referring Dan to the urologist to see what can be done about the kidney stone. The doctor also confirmed that Dan needs to stay here close to the hospital, the doctor's exact words which they said twice were "you are very sick." That's a little sobering to hear from your doctor. So, we continue to wait.

We ask for your continued prayers for Dan:
* The kidney stone and slight infection
* He is experiencing extreme tiredness from the liver disease and also a harder time breathing.
* For strength and endurance to continue waiting and living apart from each other.

"They that wait upon the Lord...shall mount up with wings as eagles...",
Debbie & Dan

Answered Prayer, but keep praying

Thank you so much for praying. Dan just called. ER ran many tests and so far they haven't found any infection. More test results are pending, some will come on Thursday.

Thanks again to our prayer warriors.

Rejoicing,
Debbie

Urgent prayer request

Please pray for Dan today. This past weekend, he ran a fairly high fever off and on. He called his transplant coordinator this morning and she told him to go to Mayo's ER immediately, since his immune system is weak due to the liver disease. He has been fighting a cold for a while, so the fever could be from that, or we fear it could be a sign of infection from the leg problem. I will update everyone later today when Dan calls me back, but in the meantime, we sure appreciate your prayers right now. I will be flying to Phoenix on Wednesday night to join Dan for his Thursday status appointment with the liver doctors. I'll be back in Hawaii Sunday night.

Thanks,
Debbie

New Development - Please Pray

We have a new prayer request, one that will be ongoing now until Dan gets his new liver. The doctors told us this might happen, but I for one thought it could never happen. Never say "never." Dan's legs have been extremely swollen and it appears the skin has stretched as far as it could, because now the fluid is seeping out through about 5-6 places on each calf. "Seeping out" is an understatement, more like puddles of fluid. He went to the doctor at Mayo who confirmed this is what is happening, and may continue until he gets a new liver. Our Kaiser transplant coordinator suggested that he elevate his legs above his heart as much as possible. Mayo gave him 2 medications, one gets put directly into the open blisters on his legs to eat away the dead skin in the blisters. The other med he puts around the wounds to dry out the blisters to keep them from infection. He also has to wear compression wraps on both calfs, which may not be that helpful since the swelling goes up to his thighs.

Please join us in prayer that God will protect Dan from any infection. When a liver becomes available for Dan, he must be in good health with no infections. If he has a bad infection or becomes very ill, he could be put on "Status 7," meaning he will "lose his turn in the waiting line" and once the infection is gone, he "goes to the end of the waiting line." As of today, he's #5 in line, and he'd like to keep his place "in line." Thanks for your prayer support!

God is in control,
Debbie & Dan

Labor Day Visit

I had a great time in Arizona this past weekend. It was so good to see Dan again after 2 months, which seems like a short time when I see it in writing, but feels like 2 years. Dan had new labs last week. His MELD is 19, down from 20 last month, but still #6 on the waiting list. Next labs will be done before the end of September and we asked them to check his ammonia level again. He's taking a new med to reduce the ammonia level which is easier on his stomach, and we hope it is controlling the ammonia as well. Dan said he's feeling about the same and continues to miss everyone at home in Hawaii. He is grateful for all the emails, blog comments, letters and cards from everyone (read his new journal entry on http://www.linesfromdanielsden.blogspot.com/ or click on the link on the right). We enjoyed eating out, going to see the movie "Ratatouille" (great family movie by the way), and just hanging out together. We got to watch some favorite tv shows together like we do at home, shows like Frasier, Andy Griffith Show and Dave Letterman. I got to swim with my niece and nephew and their mom Debbie, Dan's sister. Only when you swim in Phoenix at 110 degrees, the pool water is pretty much like a bathtub, but at least it's wet.

I got to spend time with Amy and Adam and my grandson Swen, still the most beautiful baby on the planet. More pictures are posted at www.picasaweb.google.com/dananddebvanalstine. Adam has a great new job with Kiewit maintaining all the big equipment and also learning purchasing and working with vendors. Adam took us on a drive around the entire job site which is in California right across the border from Yuma, Arizona (where they live now) - what a fun time! Amy is enjoying being a stay-at-home mom for awhile. Once Adam's training is complete, the company is moving them to Portland, Oregon. And Swen is growing like crazy! His eyes are open alot now, gorgeous blue eyes. He now has a double chin (from me, most likely). It was so much fun playing with him, the dog and cat, and my kids Amy and Adam.

It was a short trip, 4 days total, but I enjoyed every minute and hope to visit again in a few months. We are so grateful to our Mililani Baptist ohana for your love and support. And, thanks Roxanne and Vern for the rides from the airport when I get in at midnight and leaving the house at 5:45am for my 8am flight back. Vern, Karen, Roxanne & Joel, Debbie & Tim & Alyssa & Josh (Rick, I miss you)...I love you all. Thanks for taking care of Dan. You're the best.

The joy of the Lord is my strength,

Debbie