Oh Yea Baby, It’s Time !
April 1998
It feels so weird heading off to a planned transplant let alone the donor is Renee Rasmussen, my wonderful wife! As we are packing up clothes into our van it rakes through our minds that we’re giving everything into this & fully expectant of our survival. This round in the medical system is so unusual as it’s not just me but Renee too, she is putting her life out on the edge. She is so brave to do this even though there is chances things can go sideways. As always there are so many what ifs but honestly our trust is in Jesus, there lays our hope.
Our home life is so busy, Dustin’s 17 years old, working any time he’s not in school and Cody is 13 busy in 4H with his horse and school. Renee and I each have our own horses along with 7 cats, 6 chickens and 2 dogs keeping us busy with never ending repairs and feeding. It’s especially hard on Renee, Dustin and Cody as they are covering my share too. All our busyness at home but now we now must jump into this transplant and are required to live up in Portland near the hospital for 1 month.
A month living In a borrowed 5th wheel camper after surgery hummm, how is this going to work?
As we head out after hugging all our loved animals it’s feeling so strange, we’re ready and excited but our brains are in overload! The hope of returning safe and sound, both of us, along with me being done with dialysis and Renee’s kidney in me running like a precision NASA filter. My biggest concern is for Renee, I hope and pray for her to come out even more healthy, with God even that’s possible.
Grand parents will drive up from Santa Cruz, Ca to care of the boys and ranch and all the extra buddies. Indeed this is more of chore than they can know, we’re so blessed for their love. The Grands will drive over with us for the surgery and bring Cody with them, Dustin will hold the fort down till they return late that night after the transplant.
Top— Renee is going into surgery while her mom and Cody is seeing her off.
Bottom— Me with Cody giving me courage.