Pictures taken with Nokia Lumia Icon 929 cell phone and Nikon D5100 camera
click pictures to enlarge
Good news/Bad news. It seems like that happens a lot in life uh? As I posted on 5/5/17, my son Brandon had a preliminary kidney/pancreas transplant evaluation. At that time his kidney function (GFR) was 23 with 20 being the threshold to qualify for a kidney transplant. Well, he had his function tested again and it was 20 this time. He will need to complete the evaluation process before being put on the waiting list. The evaluation will be scheduled in a week or so. Once he is on the list, it will be for a pancreas and kidney. Brandon is very excited about getting a pancreas as that will mean he will no longer be diabetic which he has been for 23 or his 32 years of life. However, after the transplant, he will be on anti-rejection medication for the rest of his life. Like he said, he was going to be on insulin shots for the rest of his life so taking another medicine wasn't new. So, in all of that news, it is hard to determine which is good and which is bad. It's bad that his GFR dropped, but it's good that it dropped low enough for the transplant list. It's bad that he will need a kidney transplant but good news that along with the kidney will come a pancreas too. It's bad that he is diabetic, but its good because patients who are diabetic qualify for a pancreas. It's good news that patients who need both organs usually get them quicker than patients waiting only for a kidney. It's bad that since he will be getting a pancreas, a live donor is not possible, that means a deceased donor only. It is a lot of mixed emotions, but as he has proven time and time again, Brandon will be up for the challenge and will be another inspiration for others.
I will be heading back to Louisiana until he gets his transplant. It isn't a time-crunch emergency so I won't need to deadhead back as fast as I can. I'll be heading east tomorrow and stop for a day or two every 200 to 250 miles. I figure to be back in Mansfield by the 15th.
Before leaving Utah, I visited Canyonlands National Park. I took a lot of pictures and am posting them here without captions (if anyone has questions about the pictures, post them in the comments).
Ya'll take care of each other. I'll Cya down the road.
Our best wishes to Brandon. May everything go smoothly. Great pictures and I noticed some nice benches.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barb
DeleteIt looks like you visited both Islands in the Sky and the Needles. Beautiful places. We would like to add our best wishes to Brandon. I certainly understand your conflicting emotions. Travel Safe.
ReplyDeleteShawn and Kim
Thanks Shawn. These pictures are all from the Needles District. I visited the Islands in the Sky a couple of years ago. Be safe, have fun.
DeleteAs always our prayers with you all! Brandon has lived well with diabetes. I remember when he was diagnosed. He'll handle this with the same grace and fervor. Love you all
ReplyDeleteThanks Robin. Yes he will handle it well. Do you remember him drawing up insulin for your stepfather. He would draw up one weeks supply. Time goes by.
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