Dr Kee seems quite comfortable to go ahead with the transplant operation on 23rd (Wed), 8 am to 2pm. So I guess, here goes! Chiong ahr....

May the good Lord lead us forward and upward !!!  :)

Received news from the transplant coordinator that the Transplant Ethics committee has approved for the operation to go ahead. Though a formality, it does give a good sigh of relief for Dr Kee. One less thing to worry about :)

Blood platelet counts are a bit low (~100), so it's taking an awfully long time for the hand to clot after dialysis or plasmapheresis. The two angelic SGH nurse took turns pressing the hand for 1.5 hrs. Great patience and finger power :)  With the low platelet count, one of the immunosuppressant Myfortic has been removed. Hmm hopefully the platelets count would go up soon, for the Myfortic to be administered. If you recall about 4 yrs ago, Myfortic is the powerful drug that kep the Lupus from flaring further.

With so much intake of medication, Shufen is also suffering from severe gastric pains. Few days ago, a gastric attack is painful enough to make her tear. It's a terrible balance of medication and blood parameters. On one hand, u need the immunosuppressants to suppress the immune system to prevent rejection of kidney transplant, but thus causing risk of bacteria and viral infections. Then u take more antibacteria and antiviral medication. With more variables, blood pressure changes and some blood pressure medication (amlopdipine) is increased while others removed (valsartan). Care also has to be taken that different medication do not affect one another. To help control gastric and diarrhea issues, more medication (omeprazole, nexium, dhamotil) is taken. With more medication, more dialysis is needed. It's almost a vicious cycle, but we are inching closer day by day to 23rd January.

Oh yes through this week, we heard that 1 kidney tranplant went through successfully, while another planned transplant was aborted. Well better to abort than to go through unsuccessful. Safety is the best priority. If the Lord wills, we will go through a successful transplant. If not, there's a second try or to continue on with dialysis, or calling home to be with the Lord. Whatever the outcome, we hope to live gloriously for the Lord!  :)

Will be having the Transplant Ethics Committee (TEC) interview again today, as the previous one that lasts 60 days has expired. Shufen's bro and donor Vincent would also be doing the blood crossmatch to make sure that things have not changed after the immunosuppressants and plasmapheresis. Hopefully things should turn out okay :)

Been busy shuttling between hospital, home, kids and work this past one week. Thank God that Shufen is responding well to the new medical procedures, and with little side effects others than nausea, headache and gastric. Another 1.5 wks till 23rd January, and we are hopeful for a new lease of life ahead.

Will try to post some photos in the near future, and do keep us in prayer. Visitors are discouraged by the doctors as the risk of infection is high. Even nurses barely come into the hospital room as they would need to be in full gear (mask, gloves, body cover).

May the good Lord continue to watch over us  :)

Shalom. Shufen will be hospitalised today for 6-7 weeks for the final preparations towards a kidney transplant. Transplant operation date is tentatively set on 23rd January 2013 (Wed). In the next 2 weeks, doctors will be using a 3 pronged approach to prepare the body further.

(1) IVIG to inactivate the antibodies  (2) double filtration plasmapheresis to remove antibodies and white blood cells  (3) immunosuppressants tacrolimus and myfortic, to suppress the immune system and T & B cell formations.
As the body's natural defences are slowly being battled down through medical procedures, the word "infection" becomes an increasing deadly word.

Overall, it is going to be a high risk operation, and we covert your prayers for us and family.
It has been a trying ordeal of almost 4 yrs, and at times we are totally crushed by the changes to our lives. But the Lord has been faithful, and we have somehow been lifted by His grace and love at the most critical times. May His good will continue to uphold us, as we turn the final corner towards the final sprint onwards and upwards!