Bluniers

Today has a been a great day. Brent's been feeling pretty good. He has a little increased pain in his incision area- due to walking the halls a lot more. Otherwise things are going great. The doctors are talking about discharging him Tuesday or Wednesday.  We were also blessed with a number of family members who came to visit. Thank you to each of you for the time you spent with us!  Much love- Trudy 

Brent had a pretty good night last night. When I came this morning he was walking the halls! He has been feeling decent all things considered. He does have some back pain-from laying on the OR table for so long in the same position and he has some pain in his incision. The pain meds are helping along with hot packs.  He currently has a room on the other floor but we are waiting for the nurses to give/get report,etc.  Being here in the most critical ICU that the hospital has we are SO thankful things have progressed they way they have. Our hearts ache for the families you see that are hurting. We have so much to be thankful for-with all GLORY going to our all powerful GOD who has no doubt gotten us through!  Thanks as always for you notes, texts, emails, etc it's truly the other piece that gets us through every day! Love- Trudy

The rest of today went great. They got the pain and anxiousness under control. Because of this he was able to rest much more comfortably and soundly. He was able to enjoy regular food for supper tonight and he enjoyed every bit of it! He is currently still in the ICU but they plan to move him to the floor anytime a bed becomes available. He could be moved through out the night otherwise it will be tomorrow. They also took a couple of his IV lines today as well- that's always makes a person more comfortable to!  We are greatful for the constant little improvements and we look forward to tomorrow!  Love- Trudy 

It's a new day on many levels! Brent had a decent evening/night last night. He has been in some pain and he has been anxious off and on. With these we are thankful there are meds to help. This morning he was able to get up and sit in the chair for a couple hours and he even got a call from his brother a few floors up. :)  As far as his new kidney goes it is doing awesome-last evening they were pumping fluids through him as fast as they could and they were passing through almost as fast as they were giving them to him. We are extremely thankful for that!  He is currently still in the ICU-the doctors are talking about moving him to the floor by the end of the day. They plan to start a liquid diet at lunch with a possibility of a full menu by the end of the day- seems fast to have a full menu by the end of the day but as we have learned- Anything Is Possible ! We feel truly blessed and abundantly thankful for how everything has gone! The doctors tell us he is right on track!...

Brent's surgery went great! He was down around 3 and they were closing him up. Currently he is still in recovery and we are waiting to find out what room they will put him in so we can see him. His new kidney looks great and is doing great. Merle is also out and in a room. We are all truly blessed and extremely thankful! Love- Trudy

Brent was taken back to the OR at about 10:30. They may be out of the OR around 2. We can truly feel the prayers! Love- Trudy 

The doctors took Merle back to the OR about 7:30. Everything is going great. We are currently waiting with Brent to be taken back to the OR. I will keep everyone posted as things continue to progress.  Thanks for all the cards, texts,emails, phone calls! It has helped so m uch! 

We just received a call for Brent's surgery tomorrow at Loyola Hospital in Chicago. We will arrive at the hospital at 5:30am. Brent's brother's surgery will begin first with Brent having an OR time of 8 am. From start to finish this will be an all day thing & they expect them both to be in there rooms by yearly evening.  We really appreciate all the prayers and words of encouragement. This is a very exciting time but it's still a major surgery with lots of emotions involved! We are SO blessed to be at this point and we look forward to all the things to come. 

We realize it's been quite a while since we have updated the blog. As I continue to say  "No news is good news!"    Well this is news and it's GREAT! Since about January Brent has had several family members get tested to see if they were matches to him for a kidney transplant. We are thankful for each one of them that took that step if faith, were selfless and willing to endure a surgery to save Brent's life. The doctors have found a match and it will be his brother Merle. The surgery is scheduled for next week Thursday June 26th. As of now we don't have a time for the surgery but we go up Tuesday for a pre-op appointment and we plan to get it then. I haven't given this information out sooner or posted anything since this process all started-out of respect for the other people who have been involved and the uncertainty of a lot of the details.  We would appreciate your prayers in this coming week that God will go before us, prepare all of our hearts going ...