Poppa's Doctor

While we were in Vancouver, Marina decided that she would be poppa's doctor. She really enjoyed taking his blood pressure and giving him medicine (aka - Cheerios). She understood that he was not well, but getting better. Today, dad has been admitted back into the hospital. His doctor calls it "housekeeping" - his new kidney is working very well, but his body is in a bit of shock that he has a good kidney. He can not get his low blood pressure/high blood sugar under control so they want him back in the transplant unit to monitor and help him. He has had amazing care - we are very lucky.

Home Sweet Home

We are home - and it sure feels good. There is nothing like your own bed when you are not feeling 100%. Marina is probably the happiest of all of us - she missed her dog, her toys, her routine. She enjoyed every minute of the time with her cousins, her Poppa, her Grandma, her Granny, her Aunts and Uncles. Auntie Chris, Uncle Jim and Casey - thank you for the side trip to Victoria, Marina had a great time. These are some photos from her time in Victoria and Vancouver.

YVR

We have been in Vancouver for ten days now and as I am sure you all know everything is great. Marina has been an absolute angel. She has spent a lot of boring days at the hospital and hanging out inside but she has never complained and has made me really proud. She is enjoying her extra time with Me Me and Poppa.

Thursday night her cousins arrived from Stewart. Yesterday they all went to Toys R Us and spent some money they all had saved up. Thank you Ron and Faffie - your Christmas money was spent! They each got to pick out something (see photo). They spent the afternoon at Granville Island playing. This afternoon they are going to Science World, and Monday is the Aquarium and Stanley Park I believe. It has been nice for me too, knowing Marina is having some fun, it gives me a chance to relax at home and heal.

Happy Birthday Cousin

I don't have a brother, but I know what it is like to have a little brother. I have a cousin that tormented me while growing up, as though he was my bratty little brother. He got into my "stuff", followed me around, mimicked my friends, yelled profanities into the tape recorder while we were singing our rock songs - all the things you would expect from a baby brother.

It is Shane's birthday tomorrow, and I am happy to report he has turned into a fine young man and is soon to be a father.

Happy Birthday Shaner - I am so proud of the man you have become, a little surprised - but definately proud. You are a constant reminder of Grandpa Sewell - and I mean that as nothing but a compliment.

We love you, and hope you have a great day!

Live2Share

When I was a little girl, one of my favourite stories to hear about my birth was that I was very jaundice - and incubated for several days. In her attempt to explain to a small child what jaundice was, my mother told me that there were two types of blood in my body when I was born, her's and my dad's, and they were fighting over who was going to be inside of me. After several days, my dad won, and we share blood types. I used to imagine a battle going on inside of me, and that my dad's troops emerged victorious. Who knew that some 35 years later that victory would be such a blessing.

We share blood, skin tone, eye colour, asthma, and stubbornness. On February 08th we will enter Vancouver General Hospital and six hours later we will share one more thing... a kidney. Dad has been on dialysis for almost two years and we are finally here! He embraced a complete change in lifestyle with grace and amazing persistence. He is truly my hero.

I am so proud of my dad - the next several months will hand him a lot of difficult days. He is a fighter though, and I my blood... my kidney is his ally - it has been for 35 years and I am confident we will once again emerge victorious.