Thank you, for your encouraging notes and letters. 'A burden shared is a burden halved' stands true for us, and we continue to be grateful.
The Doctors are using the term 'tricky' to describe Christopher's medical situation. He is susceptible to viruses because he is so heavily immunosuppressed, and these viruses will attack the graft kidney, if not brought under control. His creatin levels, however, are still rising, and this means that he still needs an adequate amount of steroids. Finding the balance is the juggling act at this important juncture.
We continue to be in the day ward at the Hospital twice a week. The average time spent there is anywhere from 1/2 hour to 3 hours. The interruption to our school routine continues to be significant, so my hopes of catching up have been put on hold for now.
Peter left for a month long itinerary in the United States. His travels will be extensive, but the quality of meetings are encouraging. Some of the highlights will be: 'Way of the Master', for a conference on discernment, as well as Coral Ridge Ministries, R.C. Sproul's Ligonier Ministry and South Western College (where Andrea is finishing up her first year of studies). He will literally be traveling from Coast to Coast. Thank you for your prayers for him, that he would be sustained physically. It has been a very busy time for us as a family and as a ministry. The night before he left, we had the privilege of launching his latest book 'Faith under Fire in Sudan' (the third updated and revised version).
We look forward to having Andrea home again for her first summer break. She will be a most welcome addition to our schedule, and will provide extra support in so many ways. She looks forward to working at the Mission during some of her stay at home.
We continue to be ever grateful to South Western College and friends on their support team, for making this Missions Scholarship possible for Andrea to study there. What a privilege and adventure this has been.
We covet your prayers as we walk along this 'tricky' road with Christopher. May we be faithful in caring for him, and may we not miss any of the many lessons God has for us as a family.
With love and so much appreciation,
Lenora and family
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Still so vulnerable
Hi all.....just a quick up date and request for renewed prayer. Christopher and I were at the Hospital this morning for routine blood work and a check up. The results show his creatin levels are continuing to rise. There is chance this is due to the medicines after the recent surgery, and that this needs to settle down.
The more probable case though, is that the graft kidney has just taken so much assault and the wear and tear is showing. At present calculations, the graft kidney has between 40 and 50% function.
On Thursday we are sceduled for another scan. I can hope that this will reveal some answers, but am afraid I find it hard to be hopeful these days.
Our new school term started today, and I must say I had high hopes of being able to focus on catch up work and an uninterrupted work environment. But it seems we have not arrived at that state yet.
Please pray with us, that as this continued road of uncertainty, twists and turns unfolds that we would not loose heart.
Not only is the graft kidney vulnerable, but I feel that way right now too. Thank you all, for upholding us in prayer. Thank you for being the Aarons and Hurs in our life.
We love you,
Lenora and family
The more probable case though, is that the graft kidney has just taken so much assault and the wear and tear is showing. At present calculations, the graft kidney has between 40 and 50% function.
On Thursday we are sceduled for another scan. I can hope that this will reveal some answers, but am afraid I find it hard to be hopeful these days.
Our new school term started today, and I must say I had high hopes of being able to focus on catch up work and an uninterrupted work environment. But it seems we have not arrived at that state yet.
Please pray with us, that as this continued road of uncertainty, twists and turns unfolds that we would not loose heart.
Not only is the graft kidney vulnerable, but I feel that way right now too. Thank you all, for upholding us in prayer. Thank you for being the Aarons and Hurs in our life.
We love you,
Lenora and family
Friday, April 9, 2010
New Growth
Most of our dear readers and friends live in the Northern Hemisphere, and I am guessing you are beginning to experience the joys of Spring. It is my favorite season and as a gardener I enjoy watching young plants pushing their way to the top to compete for space and a place of pride in the flower beds.
Here, in the Southern Hemispere we are experiencing the beginning of Autum.Our days are getting noticably shorter and there is a definite 'nip' in the air. But as a family we are enjoying new growth.
For Christopher, he prays for growth physically, as he has always been behind in this area. His earnest prayer is that he will finally have a chance to catch up in size with all of his friends.
In our school setting, my prayer is for academic growth. With the many medical procedures and set backs, Christopher has fallen behind. It is going to require discipline, maturity and dedication for us to catch up.
New growth in any area of life is vulnerable and tender. Strength and maturity comes with nurturing, patience and spiritual input. Pray with us, that we would be able to persevere in this area as a family, and thus enjoy success in a tangible way.
The Surgeon removed Christopher's remaining drain yesterday. This is a great relief, and we praise God for what looks like a new chapter ahead. The Doctor told me that he feels this will have solved any remaining 'pluming' problems and that, with the exception of removing the stent in a few weeks, almost all of the procedures are over.
Time will tell how much effect the many anesthetics will have had on Christopher. But God is the Supreme Healer and in Him alone we trust.
We were all sad to see my sister Debbie off at the airport. What a joy it was to have her visit and to renew fellowship. God blesses His children indeed.
Thank you for traveling this journey with us, and for continuing to be such an integral part in this chapter of our lives.
With gratefulness,
Lenora and family
Here, in the Southern Hemispere we are experiencing the beginning of Autum.Our days are getting noticably shorter and there is a definite 'nip' in the air. But as a family we are enjoying new growth.
For Christopher, he prays for growth physically, as he has always been behind in this area. His earnest prayer is that he will finally have a chance to catch up in size with all of his friends.
In our school setting, my prayer is for academic growth. With the many medical procedures and set backs, Christopher has fallen behind. It is going to require discipline, maturity and dedication for us to catch up.
New growth in any area of life is vulnerable and tender. Strength and maturity comes with nurturing, patience and spiritual input. Pray with us, that we would be able to persevere in this area as a family, and thus enjoy success in a tangible way.
The Surgeon removed Christopher's remaining drain yesterday. This is a great relief, and we praise God for what looks like a new chapter ahead. The Doctor told me that he feels this will have solved any remaining 'pluming' problems and that, with the exception of removing the stent in a few weeks, almost all of the procedures are over.
Time will tell how much effect the many anesthetics will have had on Christopher. But God is the Supreme Healer and in Him alone we trust.
We were all sad to see my sister Debbie off at the airport. What a joy it was to have her visit and to renew fellowship. God blesses His children indeed.
Thank you for traveling this journey with us, and for continuing to be such an integral part in this chapter of our lives.
With gratefulness,
Lenora and family
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The beginning of the end.....
By God's grace, Christopher's surgery was a success. It was a three hour procedure during which they anastomosed his native ureter to the graft kidney. This is meant to alleviate the blockage that has been troubling the pelvis of the graft kidney. We thank our Heavenly Father that the surgeons have arrived at what we hope will be the beginning of the end of a very long road.
The recovery period was not without a tremendous amount of pain, and Christopher spent 11 days in the hospital with two drains. One of them was a urethral drain and the other, which is still in situ is called a perinephral drain. We are hoping to get this removed today.
We trust the Lord completely for Christopher's healing and that the Doctors will arrive at the correct level of medication now. There have been problems with administering a dose of immunosuppressants too high, which has meant that he has developed a virus. This virus thrives in a heavily immunosuppressed body, but on biopsies and blood tests shows up as rejection. The results to see if he tested positive for this took more than two weeks, and we discovered that the worst thing the Doctors could have done is increase his medication. Now we walk a tight rope to arrive at the correct amount of medication that will cause the virus to die out, and yet his body not to reject the graft kidney.
We praise God for our fearfully and wonderfully made bodies and that He has always had His healing hand upon Christopher. Thank you, our dear friends for walking this long road with us so faithfully, and for allowing us to experience your support and friendship.
We are very privileged to have my sister Debbie visiting us for Easter right now. The Lord has blessed us with many hours of fellowship and it is a blessing to have her support during this time.
We continue to covet your prayers for complete healing and that we would be alert to all that God is teaching us. May our Heavenly Father bless you as we celebrate His sacrificial death on the cross and his glorious resurrection.
With gratefulness and appreciation,
Lenora and family
The recovery period was not without a tremendous amount of pain, and Christopher spent 11 days in the hospital with two drains. One of them was a urethral drain and the other, which is still in situ is called a perinephral drain. We are hoping to get this removed today.
We trust the Lord completely for Christopher's healing and that the Doctors will arrive at the correct level of medication now. There have been problems with administering a dose of immunosuppressants too high, which has meant that he has developed a virus. This virus thrives in a heavily immunosuppressed body, but on biopsies and blood tests shows up as rejection. The results to see if he tested positive for this took more than two weeks, and we discovered that the worst thing the Doctors could have done is increase his medication. Now we walk a tight rope to arrive at the correct amount of medication that will cause the virus to die out, and yet his body not to reject the graft kidney.
We praise God for our fearfully and wonderfully made bodies and that He has always had His healing hand upon Christopher. Thank you, our dear friends for walking this long road with us so faithfully, and for allowing us to experience your support and friendship.
We are very privileged to have my sister Debbie visiting us for Easter right now. The Lord has blessed us with many hours of fellowship and it is a blessing to have her support during this time.
We continue to covet your prayers for complete healing and that we would be alert to all that God is teaching us. May our Heavenly Father bless you as we celebrate His sacrificial death on the cross and his glorious resurrection.
With gratefulness and appreciation,
Lenora and family
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