The donor's testing went well. There is a concern about the donor's blood pressure, so they are performing a 24 hour blood pressure check. This is a non-standard test, so it has us and him a bit worried.
We will know about all the test results next week. If those results and the blood pressure results are good, then the whole case will be presented to the medical board for the transplant approval. This could be another two weeks.
From what we understand the testing is now over.
Please continue the prayers....we will let you know what happens next week.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
More on Home Schooling David
It's official, we are home schooling. Poor Dave, not in his wildest dreams could he have ever imagined that I would have gone this direction or that he would have agreed to it. God is pretty amazing!
The challenge now is to convince some of our extended family that we are not going nutty. We will not be raising goats in the front yard, doing all our own baking and canning, and I will not be wearing long dungaree dresses and braiding my hair. Well, at least not right away! :)
Truthfully I sort of feel like I am walking on ice. I haven't got my footing yet with a daily direction, but thankfully I am using the many friends I have who home school already as valuable resources. We will figure it out. Everyone keeps telling me not to stress about it, just enjoy the experience. Ok, I'm having fun....now what?
We did meet with David's school principal. What a great man! He is a Christian and totally believes in home schooling. Isn't that wonderful!?! He was more than accommodating, and will even let us use the school as an umbrella to cover any of the state requirements we might have.
How is Davey? He is really good. He is not anxious at all, and seems to be enjoying the independence he has from a more relaxed form of learning. We really think this is a good thing for us, whether for a "season" or indefinitely. God will lead.
The challenge now is to convince some of our extended family that we are not going nutty. We will not be raising goats in the front yard, doing all our own baking and canning, and I will not be wearing long dungaree dresses and braiding my hair. Well, at least not right away! :)
Truthfully I sort of feel like I am walking on ice. I haven't got my footing yet with a daily direction, but thankfully I am using the many friends I have who home school already as valuable resources. We will figure it out. Everyone keeps telling me not to stress about it, just enjoy the experience. Ok, I'm having fun....now what?
We did meet with David's school principal. What a great man! He is a Christian and totally believes in home schooling. Isn't that wonderful!?! He was more than accommodating, and will even let us use the school as an umbrella to cover any of the state requirements we might have.
How is Davey? He is really good. He is not anxious at all, and seems to be enjoying the independence he has from a more relaxed form of learning. We really think this is a good thing for us, whether for a "season" or indefinitely. God will lead.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Home Schooling
For the past three years, I have felt that God was trying to get me to listen to Him about homeschooling my kids. I did the Jonah thing, and sort of ignored Him. Maybe if I hum loudly enough the thought will flee. Besides, I am not good enough, smart enough nor do I have the time to home school my kids....come on, God....my plate is full.
So as I sat here doing my own online homework the other morning, the thought came again. I call it a thought, but it was sort of a voice (no, not in the schizophrenic way) in my head telling me to home school David. I replied like normally....hmmmmm. But this time, no good. It was like there was something (or someone) pushing me forward into this craziness of researching home schooling options.
I called Dave, who was buried under work stuff, and started my conversation with, "Honey, you know that thought I get every year before school starts.....? " He replied, "You want to home school, right?" He's so smart! Knowing that Dave was not on board with this method of teaching, I felt compelled to do my homework and get as much information as possible to present to him. Trying to make it more of a fact seeking mission rather than a decision I wanted to validate. Ladies....you know what I mean, right? Husbands don't take too kindly to being pushed into a corner, even if you feel like God is doing the pushing. So, I had to handle it gently.
Now, a few days later, after a lot of prayer and some uncharacteristic patience on my part, Dave is also on board! We spoke to our son, who will be entering the 5th grade and he was pretty good with the idea. We assured him that there will be times (a lot of times) where he will socialize with other kids. He will still have his Wednesday night church group, and could even join another AWANA's group where some of his friends go, if he wanted. He's good with it. I am at peace, even though in all reality I should be really nervous about this undertaking. But it must be from God, because with the decision came clarity and peace. Pretty cool!
So as I sat here doing my own online homework the other morning, the thought came again. I call it a thought, but it was sort of a voice (no, not in the schizophrenic way) in my head telling me to home school David. I replied like normally....hmmmmm. But this time, no good. It was like there was something (or someone) pushing me forward into this craziness of researching home schooling options.
I called Dave, who was buried under work stuff, and started my conversation with, "Honey, you know that thought I get every year before school starts.....? " He replied, "You want to home school, right?" He's so smart! Knowing that Dave was not on board with this method of teaching, I felt compelled to do my homework and get as much information as possible to present to him. Trying to make it more of a fact seeking mission rather than a decision I wanted to validate. Ladies....you know what I mean, right? Husbands don't take too kindly to being pushed into a corner, even if you feel like God is doing the pushing. So, I had to handle it gently.
Now, a few days later, after a lot of prayer and some uncharacteristic patience on my part, Dave is also on board! We spoke to our son, who will be entering the 5th grade and he was pretty good with the idea. We assured him that there will be times (a lot of times) where he will socialize with other kids. He will still have his Wednesday night church group, and could even join another AWANA's group where some of his friends go, if he wanted. He's good with it. I am at peace, even though in all reality I should be really nervous about this undertaking. But it must be from God, because with the decision came clarity and peace. Pretty cool!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Updates and Baptism
We have received some more good news. Cedars called and it looks like Dave's cousin is actually the best match of the group. I guess his results got stuck in immunology, because Dave has this high rejection factor that they will have to work around. He would reject pretty much everyone without strong anti-rejection medicine. I am now #3 on the list.
So we are proceeding forward with the second battery of tests. These are a bit more invasive, but they are actually for the benefit of the donor; making sure that they are not physically putting themselves in jeapordy.
Now for some awesome news! My son David was Baptized this Sunday at church!! As a mom, to know that your child has personally accepted Christ, and has made this important decision on their own....wow! What a blessing! Pastor Steve Baptized David, and then the entire church held hands, sung and welcomed him into the family! It was so beautiful. Needless to say, we are so very proud of David.
So we are proceeding forward with the second battery of tests. These are a bit more invasive, but they are actually for the benefit of the donor; making sure that they are not physically putting themselves in jeapordy.
Now for some awesome news! My son David was Baptized this Sunday at church!! As a mom, to know that your child has personally accepted Christ, and has made this important decision on their own....wow! What a blessing! Pastor Steve Baptized David, and then the entire church held hands, sung and welcomed him into the family! It was so beautiful. Needless to say, we are so very proud of David.
Friday, July 11, 2008
A busy time
I apologize for not posting in a few weeks. Things around the Strnad household have been very busy. Knowing what Dave does for a living, you can imagine. I have been trying to pray through my worry during these tricky economical times. I am mostly concerned with the level of stress in his life and not wanting that Wegener's disease to come out of remission. We are both constantly reminded that God is in control and to give it back to Him, daily....sometimes many times in a day!
We had a vacation week planned for the last week in June, but it fell through due to the market instability, and Dave needing to be around to get his clients through this weird time. We are hoping to take a few days off during the upcoming weeks, and take the kids to some fun places around Southern California.
VBS starts this coming week, and follows into the remainder of July. I usually work at least one of those weeks, and this year is no different. We have a lot of great churches out here, so the kids go to three different VBS programs every year. This year, Davey will even get to work at one. He's a big kid of 10, now! Joey just completed two weeks of church camp at the Church of Christ. He had a great time during the past two weeks!
The kids are also keeping busy with music lessons, fencing lessons, and swimming. Busy, busy!
I just finished my first block of classes, and am proud to say that I was able to pull off two A's for the first two courses. I am now taking two more classes, so I hope I can maintain that average. Not bad for an old lady! :)
Nothing new on the transplant front. Unfortunately, we lost a family member last week, so most of our attention has been helping the immediate family get through their loss. We are hoping to hear about my testing within the next three weeks, sometime.
That's about all for now.....I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying your summer break.
We had a vacation week planned for the last week in June, but it fell through due to the market instability, and Dave needing to be around to get his clients through this weird time. We are hoping to take a few days off during the upcoming weeks, and take the kids to some fun places around Southern California.
VBS starts this coming week, and follows into the remainder of July. I usually work at least one of those weeks, and this year is no different. We have a lot of great churches out here, so the kids go to three different VBS programs every year. This year, Davey will even get to work at one. He's a big kid of 10, now! Joey just completed two weeks of church camp at the Church of Christ. He had a great time during the past two weeks!
The kids are also keeping busy with music lessons, fencing lessons, and swimming. Busy, busy!
I just finished my first block of classes, and am proud to say that I was able to pull off two A's for the first two courses. I am now taking two more classes, so I hope I can maintain that average. Not bad for an old lady! :)
Nothing new on the transplant front. Unfortunately, we lost a family member last week, so most of our attention has been helping the immediate family get through their loss. We are hoping to hear about my testing within the next three weeks, sometime.
That's about all for now.....I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying your summer break.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Update on Dave
My brother heard back from Cedars Sinai and he is the front runner in the transplant race. While we are happy there is a front runner, we were surprised a blood relative (Dave's cousin) wasn't more compatible. Ric has said all along that he will be there for us, God bless him. But he wants to be last resort. Understandable, since he has his life over in Atlanta and is thinking of getting married next year. So, after contacting Cedars again, they are going to let me test for cross matching to Dave. I will be sent all the testing stuff hopefully next week. Ric tested well in 3 out of 6 cross matches, which for a non-sibling is really good! If I test as good or better than him, then I will be Dave's donor. A sibling has a 50% chance of testing well for 5 out of 6 cross matches, and only a twin can be expected to test 6 out of 6. But, since none of Dave's siblings have come forward, we will work with what we have. He still has a high rejection factor that will have to also be worked with prior to the transplant. Please continue the prayers. I am considered a high risk because of some medical history, compounded by the fact I had kidney stones when I was pregnant.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Ahhh...summer
Summer! I am so jazzed that it is finally here. This school year has been so busy for all of us. Both kids need a break, and so does mom! I just love summer…the warm weather, the mornings at the beach, the afternoons in the pool and the endless barbecuing, which has become my favorite way of cooking.
I love being outside, able to enjoy my morning cup of coffee in the crisp morning air; the smell of grass and jasmine still lingering in the air. I enjoy the mocking birds and the occasional blue birds that fly by, singing their morning songs. The wind chimes that so softly make their music in the background with each gentle breeze. The world is clean and new and fresh and pretty. I enjoy all of this before anyone else in the family gets up. It’s my summer-morning ritual. It’s a great way to begin the day. Ahhhh…..summer!
I love being outside, able to enjoy my morning cup of coffee in the crisp morning air; the smell of grass and jasmine still lingering in the air. I enjoy the mocking birds and the occasional blue birds that fly by, singing their morning songs. The wind chimes that so softly make their music in the background with each gentle breeze. The world is clean and new and fresh and pretty. I enjoy all of this before anyone else in the family gets up. It’s my summer-morning ritual. It’s a great way to begin the day. Ahhhh…..summer!
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