It was March 27, 2003 when Mark had an angiogram and ultimately we received the diagnoses.
Mark had been battling high blood pressure for awhile and his primary doctor just kept giving him higher doses of blood pressure medicine. It didn't seem to be helping but we didn't know what to do. Mark had to go to Concentra for his annual physical exam to renew his CDL but he didn't pass. The doctor at Concentra suggested that Mark see a cardiologist to just make sure his heart was ok. That is where is story really begins.
On March 25, 2003, Mark went to see Dr. David Wilcoxson and had a stress echo. During the test Marks heart went into arrythmias and PVC's. Dr. Wilcoxson felt it was important to do an angiogram just to make sure there were no blockages so it was scheduled.
On March 25, 2003, Mark went to see Dr. David Wilcoxson and had a stress echo. During the test Marks heart went into arrythmias and PVC's. Dr. Wilcoxson felt it was important to do an angiogram just to make sure there were no blockages so it was scheduled.
March 27, 2003, Mark went in for his angiogram. Everything was great. No blockages, the heart looked wonderful and we should prepare to go home at 1:30 pm.
Dr. Wilcoxson decided that something was just not right though and ordered a blood tesst which included checking his potassium before we left. Our normal potassium level should be between 2.5 & 5.0. Mark's potassium was 7.9. They did another blood draw just to make sure and it was the same. We were NOT going home at all that day.
The nurses came in and gave Mark a glucose cocktail consisting of glucose, calcium and insulin to attempt to get the potassium down. Well, unfortunately that threw Mark into insulin shock and his blood sugar plummeted to 44. He was fading fast so the nurses brought in OJ and a sandwich to get his numbers back up. It took several hours but he did eventually recover.
Late that night Mark was admitted to Lutheran Heart Hospital to begin a series of tests which included a 24 hour urine collection and an ultrasound of his kidneys. Mark went home on March 29, 2003.
April 1, 2003 we went back to see Dr. Wilcoxson, he adjusted Mark's blood pressure med and told him to come back in 6 months but he needed to follow-up on the kidney issue with a nephrologist.
April 8, 2003 we went to see Dr. Marwah and learned that Mark had End Stage Kidney Failure and needed to begin dialysis treatment immediately. That night we went to Tempe St Luke's and prepared for surgery.
April 9, 2003 Mark had a temporary port placed in his chest area and began dialysis that afternoon. The following days and weeks were spent in and out of hospitals for various procedures and dialysis treatment.
Dr. Marwah had also suggested that Mark have a kidney transplant because he was so young and otherwise healthy. Mark continued to work as much as he could. He had dialysis Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoons. He worked Monday, 1/2 day Tuesday, Wednesday, 1/2 day Thursday, Friday. I don't know how he did it but God alone gave him the strength.
May 11, 2003 we met with the transplant team for the first time and started the process. Financial issues, medical tests, and hospitalizations became the 'normal' in our days.
October 8, 2003, Mark was placed on the transplant list. Praise the Lord!!
We received a phone call in November that they thought they had a perfect match and would do a few more tests. Unbeknownst to us, our oldest adopted son, Andrew, had gone in and was tested for possible donation. Well, we got the news. PERFECT MATCH!!!
After several more tests and some truly life-threatening illnesses with Mark, the transplant was set.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003 - I sat with 28 of my closest family members and friends in the hospital waiting room while my husband and son were both in surgery. What a day!!! Everything went very well and both came through their surgeries great.
This picture was taken 24 hours after surgery!
Andrew came home Saturday and Mark on Sunday. What a miracle. They were both in church Christmas Eve, one week after surgery.
The transplant team and Mark's nephrologist all agreed that God was working in this situation. You don't go from diagnoses to transplant in less that 9 months and none of them have ever had the opportunity to see an adopted child be a perfect match. We know God had a plan when He gave me a barren womb and set the course for adoption.
What an awesome Christmas gift God gave to our family again!!! First, HIS SON, and then the lives of two precious family members. WOW!!!
Today, 4 1/2 years post transplant both Mark and Andrew are doing great. Mark has had several medical issues since the transplant, mostly due to antirejection medications, but we know that God does not do miracles to take them away. He saw us through those dark days and we trust He will see us through anything we face.
