Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Transplant Day: A New Chapter Begins.

     Today is transplant day.  A new chapter begins in this unfolding story about a boy with broken kidneys and his hero mom.  

I will be posting updates within this post all day long.  So check back often.


1:30AM  I am in awe of the turnaround in Sawyer's stats.  His new kidney is working GREAT!!!!  So grateful to get good news every time a test comes back. 

     Last night at this time I was so miserable I could not sleep.  Tonight I am so elated I can not sleep.  

10:00 Karen is still in a lot of pain.  Unfortunately, it's unavoidable with this major surgery.  She is so strong.  She amazes me.

     Sawyer is resting well with his pain meds.  When he stirs, he is miserable, but he does not stir too often.

     Today was a big day [understated].  Too much to put into words.  However, I will say this, God gave us great mercy.  I will say much more later, but I can't help but praise Him for His great provision, mercy and goodness.

     I am so grateful for all of the emails, texts, facebook posts,phone calls, voice mail, blog comments, and visitors.  I wish I could have responded to all of you today, but please know we were comforted greatly by your encouraging words, gifts, help, and prayers. Thank you!!  It was more than obvious so many were praying.

5:30 Sawyer is in the intensive care unit.  He is still sleeping, peeing like a champ and his creatinine level has already dropped 50%! The creatinine level is a major indicator of kidney function.  The lower the better for Sawyer.

     Although he looks pretty bad right now, all of Sawyer's stats are where they need to be.  

     Karen is stable, resting, but in a lot of pain. 

     We have much to be thankful for.

3:00PM Karen is still in recovery, but she is doing well.  She is in a lot of pain as expected.

2:15PM:  The transplanted ureter has been attached to Sawyer's bladder.  Just spoke to the doctor.  He said, "all could not have gone better".  Sawyer is being closed up right now.   So grateful for God's provision today. 

1:10PM:  Kidney has been transplanted.  Urine is flowing!  Praise God for pee!!

1:00PM: Karen is out of surgery and doing well!

12:15PM:  Kidney delivered! It's a "big, healthy kidney".

12:05PM: Karen's kidney has just been extracted and the transplant team is carrying it from Norfolk General to CHKD right now. WOW!

11:30AM: Sawyer's PD Catheter has been removed.  This has literally been his lifeline since August.

10:10AM: Karen is doing well in surgery.  They anticipate extracting her kidney at 11:30AM.

9:35AM: Sawyer just went back to the operating room.  The transplant surgeon led us in prayer before Sawyer left us.

Waiting

7:40 AM: Karen just went back to the operating room.

5:35 AM: Sawyer is checking into the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (CHKD)  

5:30 AM: Karen is checking into Sentara Norfolk General.



34 comments:

Sandra Garren said...

Toby, I have been praying since I got up and will continue. I also sent an email requesting prayer to our church family and some of my family. I know that you are hurting and very concerned, as any one would be. But, we also know that Sawyer and Karen are being bather in prayer right now. The doctors also are being prayed for. Just keep trusting our Lord.I know it's hard to imagine, but He loves Karen and Sawyer even more than you do. WOW ! I know that's more than we can comprehend, but He does, and He always does what's best and He never makes mistakes. This plan for Karen and Sawyer was already in motion the day they were born, God knew all about it long before we did. Trust Him Toby and we all will keep praying. Love ya brother. I am "Thanks to Calvary" your sister in Christ,
Sandie Garren

Jill said...

Toby,
I will be praying all day for you, Karen, Sawyer, and all the doctors involved! I second what Sandie wrote, she said it wonderfully!

In Christ's love,
Jill

Unknown said...

Toby and Karen,

We are praying for y'all and love y'all so much. Every time I look over at Sawyers picture I lift him (and you) up in prayer. I long with you to see God guide you out of this place. Your CS. Lewis quote was the most spot on that I have heard about us and our thoughts about our Heavenly Father. Hang in there! If you need to vent, feel free to give me a call. I am always available to you. Love ya bro!! - Doug

Unknown said...

Please know our prayers are with you all day!!! Love the posted updates. Gives wonderful direction in knowing how to pray! :)
God is holding your hands and in his arms. :)

Anonymous said...

Praying for the Lords blessings and healing power for you family Thanks for the surgery updates.

Blessings,
Cliff

Doug & Sharon Persons said...

Our prayers are with all day...from school, from work, never ceasing brother!

Anonymous said...

Heard from the CPC email list, and the homeschooling group. Praying.

Jason said...

This story came to me through our church's prayer team... don't know you folks personally, but God does, and THAT is what is important. You're in HIS family, and that makes US family. Praying for this precious little boy and his mom who loves him. May they both return safely from the operating room, and recover quickly. Lord, please guide the surgeon's hands and give them wisdom. Bring this mom and son back to their family so that they may continue to enjoy life with each other, and with You for a long time to come. Thank you for Your healing hands Father. Amen!

Robin said...

Sending prayers for your family today.

Robin

COLE Prayer Team
www.colesfoundation.org

Virginia said...

I will continue to be praying for you all. Planning to keep the blog up all day here at work to keep updated. I'm right next door at KD in the ENT clinic if you need to get away for any reason.

Virginia

susan childress said...

YEAH!! toby!! i'm so thankful for your updates... my prayers are yours today!! in Christ, susan

Jason said...

Father, please give the transplant team favor and safety. Continue to guide this surgery throughout. Thank You! Amen!

Tim Pritchard said...

"If You Believe you will Receive":

18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry.
19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, 'May no fruit ever come from you again' And the fig tree withered at once.
20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, 'How did the fig tree wither at once?'
21 And Jesus answered them, 'Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen.
22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.' (Matthew 21 : 18 - 22 - ESV)

Jessie said...

Toby and Karen~
Continuing to pray!! Added you to our church prayer list so many, many people are lifting you up this day! We are just in awe of the work that the Lord has done and will do in and through your family!

In His Service,
Jessie and Jeremy Effler

Tim Pritchard said...

Father God I ask that you will bless Sawyer and his mother Karen. Let them both go through this time with no complications. Father God wrap your loving arms around them both and keep the safe a secure, place your glorious healing hands on them and bring them to full recovery. Father God your word tells us "Whatever we ask for in prayer, we will receive, if we have faith" and we ate faithful that you are true to your word. We thank you now for being true to your word and we continue to pray for Sawyer, his Mom and the rest of there family, give the family the comfort they need at this time Father God, keep them strong and let them know that they can lean on all their brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as on you Father God for support, prayer or anything they need. I pray all this in you Son Jesus Christs name, Amen and America!

Virginia said...

Praise the Lord for pee!!!!! That is a phrase you do not hear often. So happy that things are going well. Continuing to lift you all up in prayer.

Virginia

louantha said...

Wow, mighty Father, we thank You & praise You!!!

Jason said...

Thank you Lord for bringing Karen through, please help her to recover and heal quickly. Asking your continued blessing on the remainder of the surgery on little Sawyer. Thank you, in Jesus' Name!

susan childress said...

PRAISE GOD!!

Unknown said...

Great news so far. Thank You God for all the good news today. We pray you continue to have your hand on the doctors of both Karen and Sawyer in the hours and days ahead. Heal both their bodies and it is our prayer that pee will continue to flow from Sawyer's body as you made it to. Be with Toby and the rest of the family as this has been a difficult day and road to get through. I pray Lord for rest for all those who are closest to this family. Provide rest, peace, comfort, and strength to the family members and healing, rest, and comfort to Karen and Sawyer. Be with Sawyer as he comes out of surgery that he would be comforted with your hand of comfort as Mom won't be able to be by his side. We know You are so much bigger than "all" of this. Again, Lord, thank you for Your many blessing this first day of spring and the new chapter in this families life. In Your Precious Name we pray, Amen. :)
Big Hugs, Heidi and Katarine - continued prayers

Anonymous said...

Toby - Thank you for sharing with us this journey: the setbacks and the praise reports - all of it is to God's glory.
God has been preparing you to be the man you are for such a time as this - how about that for planning?
Praying you stay bathed in peace and strength. Be BOLD and COURAGEOUS!!!!

Sending love to you and your family!
Raquel

Lori :) said...

YAY for Pee!!! :) So glad to hear it went so well!! AWESOME!
Praying for a speedy and problem-free recovery for both!!

Love you guys!

Jason said...

Great news! Thank you Lord!

Anonymous said...

Wow is all I can say to your family! God is good! I have put you on a prayer list at Grace Bible Church in VB! May God see you thru today, tonight, and the rest of the healing days. Angie Clifton

JJ said...

Appreciate your continuous updates today, Toby. Knowing what was taking place hour by hour made it SO MUCH easier to focus as I taught at HSP. My thanks to Lisa Copeland, who kept me abreast of the events as they happened. Praise God the healing has begun. It's a whole new day for the entire DeBause family now that the time for dialysis is past. I just wanna shout, "FREEDOM! FREEDOM!" from the rooftop for you.

Sarah Lucas said...

I am so glad to hear this news!

Anonymous said...

Praise God! I pray that all will continue to run smoothly & for pain management. Angie Hite, Clarksville, VA

Kal said...

Thank you for updating this all day! Everyone I cam in contact with today, I have asked to pray for all of you. I know that God will continue to keep his arms around all of you! Thank you for being such a strong family of faith and sharing your amazing story with everyone!

Sandra Garren said...

Praise God, Toby !! He is so good ! And YES praise Him for pee too ! Still praying and will continue through out Karen and Sawyer's recovery. Love ya,
Sandie

the bjorks said...

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Praying for Karen specifically to feel the strong presence of the LORD, and for Sawyer to be more comfortable as well.

Praying you and all of your concerned family members will get some rest, and God will hold you all in His righteous right hand through the night.

Stephanie Cook said...

We have been praying for your family all throughout the day and will continue to do so as Karen and Sawyer recover. We are thanking God that things went well. Thinking of you and your family.
Stephanie Cook

Dawn DeMille said...

Praise GOD praise GOD praise GOD! Thank you for all the updates throughout the day yesterday. We prayed, cried & rejoiced right along with you. Robbie is so happy for his friend and wants Sawyer to know that he can't wait to play with him again (of course when he's fully recovered).

Danielle said...

Thank you for the updates, Toby! Praying for your whole family!! Danielle & Adam Barger