Summer's Winding Down

Making the most of the last few weeks of summer...a visit with Grandma and Grandpa (who worked tirelessly during his entire stay...thanks Papa!), back-to-school shopping, and a drive to the coast for some sightseeing and the aquarium.
Still trying to get used to the idea that Ashley is going to be a TEENAGER in less than 2 weeks!!!

ANOTHER Doctor in the Picture...

As if there weren't enough of them already......Dr. Wahba received the results of the echocardiogram that Brian had on Friday and there are a few concerns, so we will be off to see the cardiologist on September 4th.

Tomorrow Dr. Miller will be taking a post-op peek at the fistula incision.

Quick Update

Thursday's dialysis treatment went well...fistula seems to be behaving now. Today we're back to Corvallis for an echocardiogram and EKG...just to make sure everything is okay. So glad they are taking such good care of Brian :)

Neat Story

If you want to see a touching story about transplants...click on the button that says "I'm Very Nice" just below the "Donate Life" button in the left column. It will take you to the Operation Nice Blog. Look @ Wednesday, August 5. You'll enjoy the video.

A L-O-N-G Day!

This has definitely been a long one! Last night before bed we unwrapped Brian's arm. It was immediately apparent to us that the fistula wasn't doing what it's supposed to do. (It has this "buzz" to it that you can feel and also hear with a stethoscope). We phoned the doctor and he advised us to go to the dialysis unit this morning as usual and let them determine whether or not it was working. Well...it was not :(

The dialysis folks called the surgeon who met us back at the Albany hospital. Dr. Miller determined that a blood clot had formed in the fistula. This sometimes happens as a result of working on the blood vessels. To make a long story short...Dr. Miller "fixed" it and Brian received dialysis as an inpatient today. He's now home and we are tired!!

Home and Resting

Brian is home and resting semi-comfortably after having the fistula banded this morning. Dr. Miller feels that everything went well, and the fistula should have a more appropriate blood flow now. They will use it for dialysis tomorrow...keeping our fingers crossed that it works as it should!!