Life after. And before. And after.

It’s been almost three weeks since Q’s liver and kidney transplant.

Yes, we’re still shocked and we’re still grateful. Barely an hour goes by without us thinking about Q’s organ donor and their family. Their generosity in their sorrow so touches us that it’s overwhelming. What a legacy for the donor for the loving act of giving to others.

There are many updates here… and you know how I love a list (honestly, it’s just easier), so here you go:

• This morning Q had labs and saw a surgeon and they are pleased with her recovery and labs because her kidney number, for those keeping score, is 1.8! Down from 2.8 on Monday and 6 and 7 last week. This doctor says he fully expects to see it down under one. I was all teary-eyed when he was telling us. She’s healing well physically but still in some pain, of course. He said he thought she was still on track to start back work after Labor Day. She is missing the kids something fierce!

• Going to share some photos… a glimpse into life with her old meds and new meds (on left) and into Q’s 8-year-old mind with a drawing she did at an appointment that included a blood draw. She wanted me to mention that she feels the same way. Also, us before the appointment and our hopeful for good kidney function faces. Go us!

• In the interest of self-care (for me mainly), I’ve decided to cancel this Friday’s appointment we’d made well before Q’s transplant at Piedmont for a kidney transplant evaluation for G. G was listed for a kidney (inactive) at Emory July 15. The thing is, IMO Emory took too long to get to the point we are and I was going to see about Piedmont (Kaiser prefers them to Emory) but on the heels of Q’s transplant and the mental and emotional bandwidth it would take, I just can’t.I looked at the 20 or so pages of history and the checklist of what I would need and my brain said nope. I would have done it, if G had wanted to, but he wasn’t set on moving so, there. If Emory continues the very slow pace with the donors, we reserve the right to change our minds later and move it all. For now, we’ll stay. I have every faith in their care teams for any organ; it’s just the coordination efforts that have been lackluster. I’m hopeful (if not realistic) that their coordinator for the donors doesn’t stall like it did on the recipient side. It was sad and frustrating.

• And on the G note… we have a handful of people who have signed up as potential donors (cue tears). We are so grateful. A friend is working toward an anonymous paired exchange donation because her blood is a different type and she would do a swap with another person for their loved one so G could get a kidney for someone who does match… and we have another friend that is scheduled to come to Atlanta for the first in-person testing. Do your thing interweb lovelies and send all the good wishes and prayers and love and light to Erin. Both of these lovely women have been ON IT with keeping them focused.

• I got a new client whom I love and it is perfect for so many reasons and so, that is good!

• I also got tickets for the Billy Joel, Lionel Richie and Sheryl Crow concert in November. I KNOW. Just know friends, we plan for the future here, no matter what organ needs replacing or when it needs replacing.

• Look at these cute glass animals I didn’t need at all.