We have so much to be thankful for!
Today, Dan had labs, follow-ups with doctors and then PT. His labs are great, as the doctor stated "his liver is stone cold perfect", his creatinine continues to drop, his red cell count is normal, only his INR is elevated, meaning his blood will not clot as well, so they took him off Warfarin for a few days (also called Coumadin, this med is the blood thinner he takes). And today was the first day Dan walked in to these appointments using his cane instead of a wheelchair or walker. Dan was commenting this evening at the great improvement in just a short time, just last week he was struggling to stand up from the wheelchair; as Dan put it "The Lord's just showing off!"
A wonderful surprise this morning, we ran into Tim and Lily at labs this morning. Tim and Lily are from Hawaii Kai, fellow Kaiser patients (even the same Kaiser liver doctor), and Tim just received his liver transplant at Mayo. It was great seeing them again, Tim looks great after his surgery and some challenges that followed. Tim and Lily are also believers, they attend Central Union Church in Honolulu, and actually found our blog a while ago and had followed our journey. We had a great time of sharing and I hope we continue the friendship and fellowship when we all get home.
Dan and I have been out Christmas shopping, eating in restaurants, and just enjoying spending time together. Dan's strength, drive, mental state, and passion for life have improved so much over the past few weeks, every day we notice something new. Like today, we noticed the hand tremors are gone and Dan is able to eat and write with no problems.
Dan woke up this morning cheering, saying "I'm going to be 50 tomorrow!" I don't think Dan has ever rejoiced about getting older before. The last several years, he has been so sick that he said he felt 80 years old; so turning 50 must seem like he's getting younger. We are looking forward to celebrating tomorrow with shopping, lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, then pizza, birthday cake, presents, and games with the family in the evening.
I'll be going home for a week to visit Mom and take her to a few doctor appointments, worship with our Mililani ohana, as well as box up the rest of Amy's stuff and get it sent to her (I know, she's been married for several years now, I guess procrastinating sending her stuff was a way of not completely letting her go - sorry, punkin). I'll be in Hawaii from Dec. 7-14. Then Dan and I will celebrate Christmas in Yuma with Amy, Adam and Swen (who is now walking!) from Dec. 20-25. It won't be long now until we return home to Hawaii together!
Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow....
Debbie and Dan
Swen was in his first rain storm recently - love that hair! 
5 comments:
I like you blog very much...
I just love it when God shows off....yeah....PTL for all the progress....and Happy Birthday Dan we love you...Joy and Roger
Hi Dan & Debbie, so glad to hear all these good things you guys are experiencing. Congratulations Dan on being half a century old! I hope you have a great day. That's a really cute picture of your grandson! Love, Susan
Hi Dan and Debbie - PTL on all that God is doing! Happy Birthday Dan! I can't wait until you both come home!
Kristie
First off, Happy Birthday! We continue to pray and think of you two often. All praises to our Lord for the work he's doing in your lives. Will be praying for your safe return to the mainland Deb and for the trip to Yuma, Merry Christmas! I surely do miss you guys. Dan,I thank God regularly for the classes I was able to take under your teaching to better my walk with Jesus; they'll always be a special part of my life.
We will be bringing Jeremy out that way to start his new walk in his life, Tempe the 6-8 Jan.; he'll be there every semester until 2011 if all goes well. God bless, the Turners
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