Our "viking boy" Swen

Here's some photos from my recent trip to Arizona - Swen is now 4 months old. http://picasaweb.google.com/DanandDebVanAlstine/NovemberVisit4MonthsOld.

What a great daughter I have ... when I opened the door at Dan's parents' house, there was Swen in the doorway in his carseat. Amy planned it all along to be there during my visit. Dan's parents took a well-deserved few days off to travel up north, so it was the 3 of us just like old times, watching Andy Griffith shows, great movies, joking and laughing, and the bonus of getting to spend time with Swen. I even volunteered to change dirty diapers. I can't imagine any other baby loved as much as Swen, except for how much Dan and I love Amy. What a beautiful young lady she is, if I do say so myself :).

Mahalo to everyone who continue praying for us and supporting us. It's been a long wait, but you have made it easier. Much love and aloha to everyone.

Debbie and Dan

Back on the transplant list!

Just got back from the doctor and great news...Dan is back on the transplant list! The kidney stone strangely enough has moved itself back up to the lower part of the kidney. And good news, it isn't that big after all. The urologist also said no more infection! We may have to deal with that stone sometime in the future, but for now we can move forward towards liver transplant. Not sure where Dan is on the list, we hope he can slide back in to his previous placement. The doctor will remove the stent on Wednesday afternoon.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Soaring on eagle's wings,
Debbie and Dan

Surgery updates

Dan is out of surgery now. The ureter was too narrow to get the stone out, so the doctor inserted a stent to widen the tube. He should be able to go home today, if the bleeding stays under control. Dan needs to see the urologist in 2 weeks to determine the next steps.

So, please pray for Dan:
* He has a bacterial infection - the doctors think it's from the stone.
* Dan's having a lot of pain from the stone.
* Most important: the kidney stone and the infection are both showstoppers for liver transplant. I know you have been praying for a donor liver to come soon, however, now please pray that the donor liver will come AFTER the stone is removed and the infection is gone.

"He makes all things beautiful in His time..."
Debbie and Dan

My guys

Check out my handsome guys! Dan enjoyed the past week with Amy, Swen now 3 months old, and their dog Patch. Adam had a great trip to Omaha, training for his job at Kiewit, and the Lillys are back home in Yuma.

Here's Swen's first Halloween picture:

More pictures are here: http://picasaweb.com/dananddebvanalstine/swenat3months .

Thanks for praying for Dan on Monday, Oct. 22 - he has new labs so we'll find out his current status for transplant. Then he has surgery to remove the kidney stone, and he will be out for the procedure with an airway.

Thanks also to our church family for the lei and gift this morning for Pastor Appreciation Month. Dan will really enjoy the gift certificate to CBD. We love you all. Dan especially thanks you for the cards, which arrive at just the right time and bring loads of encouragement.

Much love and aloha,

Debbie

"Do I Know You?"

Dan visited the Urologist yesterday. He has a kidney stone which is blocking the ureter. The doctors said this could be a showstopper for liver transplant so it needs to come out. So, Dan is scheduled for minor surgery on Monday, October 22. The procedure should be outpatient, but that depends on what the liver doctors say. Under anesthesia, they plan to insert a scope and break up the stone with a laser (sounds like Star Trek to me). He will need to be monitored closely since his platelet count is so low and bleeding is a major concern.

Have you seen "Father of the Bride part 2"? This new adventure reminds us of the scene from that movie where Steve Martin, still groggy from taking sleeping pills, is at the hospital where his daughter is about to give birth, he sits down in the closest chair which is a wheelchair, and is mistaken for a prostate exam patient. He is wheeled in for the exam which I'm sure wakes him up rather quickly, then runs out of the room very offended and saying "Do I Know You?" - hence the title of this blog. I'm sure Dan will be thinking of this scene as they are preparing the "area" for the scope. I tell you the truth, finding humor in all this is part of what keeps us sane! Or as my boss says, we could teach a class on "Laughter 101".

Please be in prayer for this procedure, for the bleeding to be minimal, and for the bacterial infection to be gone. Thanks to everyone for your constant support, prayers, friendship, everything. We love you!

Laughing all the way,
Debbie

Antibiotics and other adventures

Yep, it happened. Dan's transplant coordinator called yesterday to say that one last test from a few days ago revealed a bacterial infection. Not sure where it's from, but we knew he has another kidney stone and will see the urologist next week, so maybe that's it. They don't want to wait until next week, so Dan is taking a strong antibiotic for 1 week. Dan asked for prayer that this treatment will get rid of the infection. Praise God his legs are better, the blisters from previous "leaking" are healed, there are a few other spots they are watching and he continues to wear the compression wraps.

This has been a busy week for Dan and family. Roxanne (Dan's youngest sister) and her husband Joel are moving the Colorado this weekend, and Dan and his folks have been at their house helping them pack. Joel has this great job opportunity and they both are ready to live in cooler weather. I am so thankful for God leading Roxanne and Joel back together after so many years, both of them love the Lord and their dogs, and are crazy about each other. Praise God for cell phones and email to keep everyone connected. R & J, enjoy this new adventure, and I want you to know how much I love you both. Keep a spare bedroom open for us to visit!

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV.

Debbie

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