Day 4- The Big Day!
The day has been incredibly long but successful. The kidney was successfully transplanted from mom to Laurie and is now working well.

I do not have any pictures to post as the pre-op picture of mom and Laurie with their shower caps on would be the death of me!

Mom went into surgery on schedule at 8:15. We all spent a nice time laughing and crying in the pre-op area. Soon after mom went into surgery, Laurie was brought to the pre-op area and we waited and laughed again. Laurie did AMAZINGLY well - she usually reacts with anger under anxiety but she was really quite pleasant. When the anesthesiologist came to get her at 10:15, she said "your mom's kidney is ready for implantation" and it hit her. She cried at the realization that something living from mom was waiting to be inserted into her that will save her life.

Dr. Kayler called me at 12:30pm to say that mom was doing well and was going to recovery. At 2:30pm, Dr. McAuliffe came out to tell us that the kidney was implanted and Laurie was doing well and going to recovery. It wasn't until about 8pm that they were settled into their rooms. They are in alot of pain - mom more so than Laurie. Mom has a morphine pump and is really using it.
They really needed to sleep tonight, so we decided not to sleep at the hospital tonight. They ensured us that they will take good care of them.

Upon leaving the hospital not too long ago, we were told by one of their Dr's that Laurie's new kidney had been ultrasounded and was working well.

We all did a happy dance......

We told Laurie that today was her new birthday and mom was giving life to her again. Wow.

God has been so gracious to mom and Laurie. He has answered all of our prayers for today. Please continue to pray for pain relief for mom and the anti-rejection drugs to continue to allow the kidney to work well for Laurie. The anxiety for Laurie is coming back - please pray for her to settle and God's peace to overcome her.

Love, H