T-Day

It's Saturday afternoon, and Todd is resting while our families have all gone to nap and site-see, so I thought I'd take an opportunity to reflect on the past 36 hours. It's been a whirlwind for sure.

Yesterday was Transplant Day (T-Day)! The guys found out on Thursday during some pre-op stuff that they were second in line, so we didn't have to be at the hospital at the crack of dawn as originally planned. We arrived around 9, finally found the correct waiting/check-in area, and the guys finished up some paperwork. By 9:30 it was time for them to take Todd back to be prepped for surgery. Our families gathered in a huge circle, and my dad tearfully led us in prayer for the day's events. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.

Todd went back, changed, got his IV inserted, and went through some other stuff that I couldn't be a part of. Then they let me go back to see him and stay until it was time for him to go to the OR. Ricky was next for Pre-Op, and the 3 of us were able to talk smack through the curtain while they prepped him. Mel was allowed back after that, but light-weight Ricky had been given Benadryl and was pretty out of it from that point forward. :)

The guys in Pre-Op

After a little while, the curtain opened and in came Bro. Duane Mayberry. For those of you who don't have a clue who that is, he is the dad of my brother-in-law, Larry. He was the pastor of the church in which I grew up starting my senior year of HS and thus how my sis met her hubby. He and his wife, Mrs. Sharon, are super close to my family and live here in the SA area. Because they love us and because of his incredible pastor's heart, they came out to pray over Todd and Ricky before the surgery, got me Chick fil A for lunch, and stayed until Todd was in recovery. Love them!

Around 11:30 the surgeon came in and introduced himself, followed by the anesthesiologist. Then the nurse administered Todd's anesthesia, and I walked him through the hallway. On our way out, he said, "So this is what it feels like on E.R." What a goober. He kissed my hand, and I watched him roll down the hallway.

I went to the waiting room with all the family, and we had another sweet surprise. Our pastor's wife's dad came and brought us a dozen Krispy Kream donuts! He and his wife live here in San Antonio but have been to Midland several times and know Todd and me from visiting. He knew of the surgery, had been praying, was headed to Midland, and wanted to stop by to bless us. I just love the Church. After a yummy donut, I headed back to find Mel. My timing was perfect, and I got to be with her when they came for Ricky. Thus began the waiting process.

My timeline is a bit fuzzy from here, but I spoke with the surgeon sometime later, and he said Todd did great and would be in recovery for a couple of hours. Then a little while later Mel was called and came back with the most incredible news of all. Ricky's body had accepted Todd's kidney beautifully, and it had already begun to produce urine!!

After over my "hour and a half" timeline to see Todd, I got restless and went back to see if I could find an update. My mom and I were standing outside of recovery, waiting on someone to come out to ask, when the doors opened, and there was Todd! I was able to walk beside his bed the whole way to his room. As we waited for the first elevator, Todd said, "How's Ricky?" I told him the news, and he choked with tears. I had held it together most of the day, but delivering that news and seeing him tear up with relief caused my voice to crack and my eyes to well up. You want to talk about an overwhelming, humbling, precious moment... Tears well up every time I think about it. I mean, really?! God makes us so perfectly that we are able to share parts with one another, if needed! And the fact that Ricky's body just adapted right off the bat... no word is good enough to use here. Incredible. Amazing. Jaw-dropping. Insert whatever word you feel is relevant, but mine is "sovereign." My Lord knew from creation that we would walk through this, and thus He provided Todd & Ricky just the right match of genes, our families the encouragement and support, and Mel & I the peace that is so far beyond me I can't even begin to describe it. HOLY IS THE LORD!

At that time our families were able to come up and visit. My mom hung back across the room since she wasn't feeling too great, and Todd didn't see my dad. After several minutes of talking with everyone in the room, Todd asked where he was, so I went to get him. He came in, pulled up a chair next to the bed, and grabbed Todd's hand. At that moment, all the emotions of the day officially caught up to me, and I turned and sobbed on my mom's shoulder. There's just something about my tender-hearted daddy that gets me every time, and seeing them sitting there hand-in-hand was just too much.

Around this same time, Ricky was taken to ICU, where he would have to stay for 24 hours. Todd kept asking about Ricky, so I headed to ICU to check on him. He was pretty groggy but able to talk a little and give Todd a thumbs-up for a photo op. As I headed out the door, I reached down and patted his hand, and he grabbed my hand with both of his. We didn't say anything, but that simple gesture said 1000 words. I turned, left ICU, and found the nearest bathroom where I was overcome by tears and just cried to the Lord over His faithfulness.

Please excuse my finger!

The rest of the day passed fairly quickly, and I ended up staying at the hospital until 2:30am. My dad took me to the hotel then, and he came and stayed with Todd until 9am this morning. Since last night Todd has been able to start liquids, hold them down, be taken off his IVs, and then have the burger he'd been craving for lunch. Ricky was also moved just down the hall, and the two were able to see each other for the first time. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough with my camera, but I'm sure there will be plenty of photo ops of these two trying to beat each other's "times" around the floor. Always a workout...

Todd on his 2nd round of walking

Ricky lapping our room... Show off ;)

To those of you who have prayed, come to visit, texted, called, etc. we are so grateful. Words can't express our gratitude. We are so thankful to be a part of our families and church family and to see the Body of Christ in action. We love you all!!

My God Will Meet All Your Needs...

The end of last week was a whirlwind to say the least, and after a weekend of cleaning and relaxing I now have time to reflect on it all.

As most know, we had our Transplant Fundraiser on Thursday. I don't know that there are adjectives that truly describe the events of that day. None just seem good enough, but I'll try to get in as many details as I don't want to forget any part of it.

It was hard to work that day. There was an expectancy in the air about how the fundraiser would go. Would people come? How many would show? Would they give? Could I actually finish the WOD with a stupid sinus infection?

Oh ye of little faith...

After the first two morning workouts, Todd texted me the totals of attendants and their donations, and tears sprung to my eyes. Between those 2 WODs alone, we had already seen 58 people give almost $13,000! Praise the Lord!! My excitement and expectancy only grew as the day went on.

Finally 5:00 came, and I headed to the church for the workout. There were already about 20 people in the gym when I arrived, and they just continued to flood in. On our highest attended day so far, FFTC had seen about 80 people. That evening alone (at one point) I counted 72!!

Ricky, Melissa, Todd and I were asked to step out for a bit so Lavonda could talk to everyone. I'm not sure what she said, but I heard it was a tearjerker. When we came back in, she had the four of us come up and gave us t-shirts she'd had made for the transplant. Most faithful Fit for the Crossers all received one, orders have since been taken for more, and we're going to wear them on Friday to stand united as Todd's and Ricky's prayer covering! (Insert tears here.)

Front of the shirts

Back of the shirts

From there it's all a bit of a blur. In case you're wondering, 70+ people is a lot of people all working out at one time; we had to break into a few groups to manage. Melissa and I partnered together and started after most in the first heat were finished. She had already done the WOD earlier in the day (lifting 135lbs on her deadlifts... beast) and I had my nagging sinus junk, so needless to say we were puffing pretty hard. After the first 1/3 of the workout, our dear friend, Andrea, stepped in and we were able to break up the reps into threes instead of twos. Thank you again, Andrea! So, yes, because of her incredible help, I was able to finish!

By the time it was all over, only a few of us sweaty, sore, out-of-breath, people remained, and Todd and Mel counted the donations. As only the Lord can do, he allowed us to raise more than we ever could have thought possible. In that one day alone, He provided almost $24,000. THANK YOU, LORD!!

And to top it off, a reporter from the local Midland paper had seen our posts on Facebook, came and interviewed us, and then put us front and center on the Midland paper the next day! She did an incredible job on the article and was so gracious to include our quotes about the Lord and Scripture. The entire thing was uplifting and gave the Lord the credit, as was our desire. (To read the newspaper article, click here) We have received several donations since Thursday, and the outpouring of notes, texts, Facebook posts, and love has just overwhelmed us. We are forever grateful for those of you who have supported us, and we are in such awe of God's hand. His fingerprints are all over this, and we are truly honored that He would give us the opportunity to go on this incredible journey of faith and friendship.

Father, we give you all the glory, and we are humbled and honored. Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless His holy name!!

Todd & Ricky partnering during the "Bestie" WOD (Photo by Chaney Mitchell of the MRT)