Time for a Change :)

Well, just because we like to keep things exciting around here we thought we would
1. Schedule our son's transplant for the spring
2. Graduate Medical School (well, one of us at least)
3. Move
4. Start Residency (one of us, again)
4. Find new doctors (for the pregnant wife)
5. Have a baby (that will be 2 under 2 for a short time)
6. Move again in a year

Needless to say, things are going to be hoppin in The Daugherty household for the next year!

Last Friday we celebrated Match Day. For those that do not know, this is what 4 long years of blood, sweat, tears, late night studying, early morning surgeries and little sleep lead up to in your 4th year of medical school. This past year Michael decided that he would pursue a career in radiology and spent the majority of is first semester travelling to over 20 cities for different interviews. After the interviewing season was over, he ranked his top programs in which he felt our family would benefit from and he would get the best training. Among some of these programs were University of South Florida (Tampa), UK, Louisville, West Virgina, Virginia Beach, Toledo, Memphis, and Knoxville.

Match Day is the day in which you find out where you will be completing the rest of your training (only as an actual MD this time!). Michael's list is only half-the programs he chooses must also rank him. So, it's a big, confusing game, in which all  knew was he ranked Tampa #1 and UK #2. Although it was a tough decision, he really felt as if he fit in with the program and residents at Tampa and that Owen would actually benefit from the warmer climate, rather than our current option of quarantining him through the winter months. Not to mention the close proximity to the beach and Disney! :)

Of course we wore matching attire...it was Match Day, after all! :)

So, for match day there are a few options. You can have your envelope handed to you at your table and you may open it at your leisure, you can not go at all and get your envelope later, or you can go on stage and reveal (for the 1st time) where you matched. For those of you that know Michael well, you would find it to be of no surprise that Michael (public speaker extraordinaire) chose to go on stage, in front of 300 or so people and announce our family's plans for the next 5-6 years.

Owen decided he would go with Daddy on stage. Like his father, there isn't a shy bone in his body! He made a bit of a speech of his own, just to get the crowd going. :)

After what seemed like a million minutes, Michael revealed our family will be relocating to TAMPA, FLORIDA! Although the excitement of the beach, Disney, Sea World, the beach, Lego Land, Animal Kingdom and of course, the beach is very enticing. It is very bittersweet to leave our family and friends in Kentucky. However, I feel like we may get a few visitors, did I mention we will be near the beach? :) And in case anyone was panicking, we will still be True Blue Fans while living in the Sunshine State, go CATS!

**Side note, we actually won't be moving to Tampa until next summer, he has a preliminary year in Cincinnati, which will require a move up north just a tad, but still holding on to our Kentucky roots.**

I am so, so proud of Michael and what he has achieved. As if medical school isn't hard enough he has endured the stresses of having a child with many medical needs and being a steady rock and Godly leader of our family. I could brag on him all day, but you should know that for Tampa position he received he was competing with other students from all over the nation, for only 3 spots. What an achievement! :)

                                                           He was very, very excited!

So all in all, things are going to be changing around here, but we welcome this new season in our lives. We are excited to start this new chapter in our lives and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for our family!

Since this post is incredibly long (thank you to the faithful readers who have made it this far!) I'll just do a quick picture re-cap of Owen's first trip to the Zoo. We celebrated going to Owen's LAST dialysis clinic appointment by greeting the animals, making monkey noises and getting dizzy on the carousal. It was a blast, a very hot, hot day, but still a blast!

 His favorite way to walk with Daddy. :) We were looking for jungle animals, Owen was more interested in pulling Dad's hair. :)

                                     Looking like a very big boy waiting for the train ride to start.

On a bit of a sugar high, from his Cherry Icee. :)

                                                    First Movie! (and a 3D/4D one at that!)

                                                Such a big boy, he loved the Merry Go Round!

                                                   After a few spins, this boy was pooped!

He was out before we made it to the interstate! :) A sticky, sweaty, mess, isn't that what summer time boy is made of? :)

In Just One Month...

In just one month I'll send my baby boy off for the longest surgery of his life.


In just one month I'll say goodbye to the baby I'll have known for almost 20 months.

In just one month I'll say goodbye the "Baby Owen" who has been so desperate for healing and prayers.

In just one month I'll say goodbye to dialysis.

In return...

In just one month I'll say hello to new medications and new daily nursing routines.

In just one month I'll say hello to a new, healthy, bouncing boy.

In just one month I'll say hello to the "Big Boy Owen" who has been dwelling inside his sick body.

In just one month I'll say hello to a new life, full of even more joy and happiness.


One month, it's almost surreal. In one month our lives will be drastically changed, again. In one month I'll be caring for a transplanted baby. In one month Owen's life is going to turn around so drastically, I fear the baby I know now will be long gone. Although I know his sweet, loving spirit will remain, I know that this transplant will finally allow his body to take off and I know my strong boy will never look back.

I can't imagine life any differently than it is now. I can rest assured knowing that it's going to get even better.

Most days I don't realize how sick Owen really is. I don't think about the fact that a machine supports his life by doing what his little body cant. I don't think about the fact that without his feeding tube, he would not get nourishment. I don't think about the numerous medications his body requires to have "normal" labs. I don't think about it because it's us. It's all we know. It's our normal. But in just one month things will be so different. Yes, his body will need medications, but he is going to feel so, so much better. He doesn't know what it feels like to feel good. To feel healthy. I can't wait for it.

I am asking a big favor from a our family and friends for this one, short month. I am asking you to devote yourselves to daily prayer for Owen and Carrie. I ask that you pray the Lord keeps a hedge of protection over Owen and Carrie this month. That He will prepare their bodies for surgery. That His hands are over Carrie, carefully molding and preparing her kidney to be a perfect fit into Owen's little body. That the Lord will prepare Owen's body to receive Carrie's kidney and accept it as his own. Pray for our families, that our hearts are strengthened by the love surrounding us and we will be warriors for the Lord, spreading His good name the day of transplant. Pray for the surgeons. That the Lord has chosen them and anointed their hands to do His good works on April 3.

It would be impossible to put into words the emotions I have running through my body. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for Carrie, and the sacrifice she is willing to make for my son's life. I am overcome with joy and praise as I sing to the Father, and praise Him for bringing us this far. But, I am scared. Surgery is scary in itself, and I absolutely hate it that my sweet baby must endure this surgery in order to find a better life.

I am asking you to dedicate a time of day to fall to your knees in prayer. Storm the gates of Heaven in Owen and Carrie's names. Let's cover them in prayer and encouragement this month as we enter the home stretch of the life we now know. Thank you in advance, for using a portion of your prayer time to bring our family to the foot of the cross. Thank you for walking this long journey with us. As we begin a new journey, and a new life I continue to ask for your prayers and encouragement. The support we have received through this has touched our hearts in ways we that could never express in words how thankful and blessed we are.

Join us for just one month of fervent prayer and dedication to going before the Lord and asking for the blessings He has promised.

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:5

And one more makes four....

Owen has a small announcement he's been holding on to for a while....

That's right, it is with joyful hearts that we are happy to announce our family is growing by one more!    Introducing:

Abel James Daugherty

Due: August 8th

Sons are a heritage from the Lord; children are a blessing from Him.

 Psalm 127:3

                                              Sweet Boy sucking his thumb at 14 weeks :)

Mommy at 14 weeks

We are so grateful the Lord has seen fit to add yet another miracle to our family. We have had a few ultrasounds with our high risk doctors from my pregnancy with Owen and everything is looking absolutely perfect. :) We went in today to get a good look at the kidneys since Abel is now making urine and making all his own amniotic fluid and I'm happy to report there was like a little bit (normal amount) in his tiny, developing kidneys! They were able to measure all necessary organs for what is usually scheduled at the 20 week ultrasound, and everything is right on track, heart, brain, kidneys, bladder-you name it! :) My doctor said there wasn't really a need for me to see him again, but just to please me he's doing one more ultrasound in 10 weeks. :) 

                                          Sweet little profile shots at today's visit- 17 weeks :)

                                                             Mommy at 17 weeks :)

We are so thankful and excited to share the news with family and friends. For those that know us well, you know that it is our hearts' desire to multiply our family and have a whole quiver full! We are so excited to be welcoming another sweet boy, and Owen's new best friend. :) Please be in prayer that this pregnancy will continue to go as smoothly as it has started, and that our hearts will rest in the Lord's promises as we often find it difficult to enjoy this miracle of life forming inside me, as the hurt and pain experienced with Owen's development is still so raw.

For you created my inmost being;  you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16

For those needing a check up on big brother...he's doing great! He seems to be healing well from surgery and is certainly enjoying being tape free! He is still quite sore, and picking him up and holding him are quite difficult. But we sure have been enjoying the gorgeous weather and taking lots of walks! I think his blond hair may have even lightened up a bit in all this sunshine! :)

Success!!!

Woohoo! Owen is officially "tape free"! Feel free to pinch either (or both) of his precious, chubby cheeks!

Owen's surgery went beautifully. No SVT heart rhythms, good blood pressures, and he came off the ventilator immediately.

It was leading up to surgery that we faced our heap of problems. After first being admitted to the wrong floor, (Baby dialysis isn't too common and only a few floors have nurses skilled to run the machine and interpret the labs) we finally found our "home" with our familiar nurses. The plan of attack for Owen was to keep him very well hydrated (but not over hydrated) before going into surgery. One of the problems with our unsuccessful surgery in December is the thought that Owen was dehydrated.

So, he was to get an IV placed before bedtime, go on a "low dose" of dialysis for the night, while receiving some fluids to get him ready for surgery the next morning. Unfortunately, Owen's all too cute rolls making blood draws and IV's very difficult to place. It is known that the floor nurses do not attempt to get an IV in Owen, they automatically called the IV (VAT) team, as they are the "professionals" as sticking hard babes. We went through 3 different IV nurses in 2 hours. They tried everything, warm packs, special needles special lights, you name it, it was attempted. After 7 attempts, the nurses said they had reached the limit allowed to "poke" and would no longer attempt for an IV for the night.

Enter panic...how in the world could we do the surgery if he didn't get his fluids?!?! Keep in mind, we were counting on using this surgery as our "trial run" for transplant. We needed it to go perfectly in for the surgeons to be comfortable giving him his set date for transplant.

After a long, long night of doctors in and out, forming plan after plan, phone calls to the on call doctors and nurses. We reached a plan: Stop dialysis all together. This would allow him to hold on to the fluid he would normally clear, in hopes it would account for the IV fluids he would not be getting.

It was a restless night, to say the least. My prayer was just for God to reveal to us the path we needed to take. I begged him to slam shut the door to surgery if it was not His will. I wanted peace the next morning, knowing the Lord was blessing our decisions.

Praise God, for His comfort and gentle guidance! When meeting with the anesthesiologist the next morning, he offered a new plan: to give Owen a sedation medication (Versed) and allow him to relax and he would start the IV. This was music to our ears. Normally, with children Owen's age, gas is used to allow the child to fall asleep before surgery. We were against using the gas, as it is also possible it played a role in Owen's SVT episode in December.

I left the OR holding room confident the Lord had chosen this doctor to care for Owen and the surgery would go smoothly. After 3 pokes, he had a working IV, was sedated and ready for surgery. :) So that's a total of 10 sticks for one measly IV....needless to say a new place is being made for the necessary IV use during transplant!

As I said earlier, the surgery went seamlessly and it only lasted about 30 minutes. Owen is doing well and was up a few hours after surgery playing. I was actually concerned he was overdoing it a bit, but the nurses assured me that he could do whatever he wanted if he tolerated it well.

He's been very sleepy, as he has had quite the amount of Morphine, Tylenol and Oxycodone. But we would prefer him rest while he can. Thank you all so, so much for your prayers. It warms our hearts knowing so many people care for our family and take time to encourage and pray for us.

A little extra, very, very exciting news....we just got the phone call that Owen's transplant date is officially scheduled!

We will need all our prayer warriors on their knees on Tuesday, April 3.

We are so excited to see the new life that transplant will offer for Owen. Thank you again, for all your heartfelt well wishes. I can't wait for the day Owen can read and see just how many people love and support him!

                "...Wherever I cause my name to be honored I will come to you and bless you." Exodus 20:24

My Valentine

Well, as if our house isn't constantly exploding with love already, we "upped the ante" again for Valentine's Day. What a fun day, to add a little more love and squeeze in a few more hugs!

It's hard to believe that this was our sweet valentine just one year ago:

He is changing and growing before my eyes!

Daddy was actually off from school today so we had a wonderful lunch date at Mommy's favorite: Chick-fli-A! :) And Owen made a special trip to Target to purchase a new Elmo movie with his valentine money from his Nona. :)

The kid is obsessed with anything Elmo related. Movies, books, stuffed animals, figures. If that furry monster's face is on it...Owen loves it!

One thing Owen is NOT a fan of.....Sponge Bob! Owen had his first real experience of fear this weekend when he accidentally saw the beginning of a Sponge Bob episode. (We actually do not like the show and do not plan on allowing our children to watch it, it just taped after the end of a Fresh Beat Band episode!) However, I don't think it will be a problem. :) Owen very rarely cries. I mean, really cries...tears and all. Upon seeing the 20 seconds of Sponge Bob, the poor boy was so upset he was crying hysterically, and even shaking! It's actually happened twice (Mom of the year, I know) and he's had the same reaction both times. Needless to say, the episode has been deleted and I have no worries of hearing that annoying sponge invade my house...ever! :)

Owen had a great Valentine's Day and LOVED his gift. We have a sweet video of his giggles I'll share later!

Owen will be having surgery next week. Our doctors have decided to do the g tube surgery. Partially, because he needs one and partially to have a "run through" of our new anesthesia plan for transplant. His surgery is Tuesday morning at 7:30am (Cincy time). We covet your prayers and are so thankful in advance for our faithful friends and family who continue to "storm the gates of Heaven" in Owen's name!

Where, oh, Where did my Baby Boy go?

Is it just me or did we just have a big blow out FIRST birthday party for my baby?? Oh wait, that was 6 months ago and my once tiny, little baby boy is a chunky, babbling, giggly, silly 18 month old!

I never knew just how quickly times passes until having a baby. It really feels like yesterday that I was working on teaching Owen how to sit up. And now, I'm finding myself correcting him for somehow scooting over to the fireplace for a little "exploring" time!

Owen is doing so much more at 18 months than we had expected. At a year old Owen could sit up, say "mama" and sipped water from a small medicine syringe. These 6 months have brought on some major developmental growth spurts for Mr. Owen!

At 18 months Owen can:

Say:
Mama
Bye- bye (Accompanied with a (left hand only) wave)
Gaga (dada)
Gog (dog)
Get
Go!
Yeah, Yeah!
Ticka-ticka (tickle, tickle)
Shake his head "no" appropriately
Shake his head "yes"....not so appropriately, but on command :)

He can play peek-a-boo with his blankie
Clap his hands
Give high fives
Give "loves" (some may mistake for a head butt, but it's actually his snuggle) :)
Dance :)
"Fake Cough" (accompanied with sad face) :)
Scooting on his bottom to move ALL over the place!
Getting into the crawling position on his own

He is eating dry, rice cereal from spoon (HUGE considering the "spoon phobia" we've had to overcome!)
Drinking lots and lots and lots of water from his sippy cup!

....and his latest and greatest accomplishment....
STANDING!!! He can now bear his own weight using his Stander Equipment from our physical therapist!

Thank you all so much for you continued love, prayers and support for our family. We are so very blessed and humbled by the outpouring of love we continue to receive on a daily basis. Owen is thriving and doing so much more than doctors predicted. He is a complete miracle and everyday we spend with him is a blessing from the Lord.

Michael's sister, Carrie has been completely cleared for transplant! Owen has been cleared for transplant! So now....we wait, again. This time we are waiting on the doctors to get their schedules together and finalize a date. We still have our tentative date for Spring, but it has yet to be finalized. Please pray for patience as we wait to get our exact date!

We got word today that it looks as if Owen will be having surgery sometime in February for a g tube placement. We are hoping to do a "trial run" for the new anesthesia plan and see that things will run smoothly, easing our nerves for transplant. That, and our mischievous little boy is pulling at the tape on his face daily.

If you didn't get a chance to check out this month's Owensboro Parent magazine, be sure to click the link below. Sweet Owen's story was featured in the February issue! We are so thankful to spread the word about kidney failure, organ donation and of course, the amazing works of our God!

http://issuu.com/owensboroparent/docs/owensboroparent-02-2012

Just for fun....a few pictures showing just how much this sweet boy has grown and changed over his 18 months!

                                                            A tiny, miracle, newborn

                                                       A round, pudgy, 6 month old!

The sweetest 1 year old. :)

My strong willed, super fun, mischievous, toddler, 18 month old!

New Year, New Kidney! :)

The year has arrived. The year we will wave good bye to our lovely dialysis machine and say hello to feeling good with a new kidney! Or, at least Owen will. :)

Lord willing, Owen's transplant has a "tentative" date scheduled for early spring. I'll reveal the date when it's finalized.

We had a follow up appointment yesterday in Cincy with cardiology and his monthly dialysis clinic. Both appointments went very well. Our cardiologist assured us that although he cannot fully explain what happened with Owen's heart during his surgery, but he can confirm it did NOT happen because of a malformation in Owen's heart. Praise God! We were sent home with a holter monitor for him to wear for 24 hours. This is just to take a second look at his heart to make sure it doesn't go out of rhythm on a regular basis. It never has, so we aren't concerned.

We are "tossing around" the idea of possibly have a g-tube placed before Owen's transplant. Mainly, as a "trail run" for the new type of anesthesia plan for transplant, but also because he will continue to need the feeding tube after transplant anyway and it's a fairly "minimally invasive" surgery.

Owen is doing wonderfully well on dialysis. His labs look great and he is developing amazingly well for a baby dealing with so many medical issues. In fact, the "non-mobile" boy has found a way to scoot his little bottom all over our floors! He is a very mischievous boy, getting into anything he can get his little chubby fingers on!

              A little holter monitor didn't slow this boy down! Digging through Daddy's video game drawer.

                               And here we are trying to get out our toys all by ourself....such a big boy. :)

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas and Owen was royally spoiled. :) But hey, I think you would find it difficult not to "over do" it a little if you were in charge of caring for such a big miracle boy!

We were able to go home for about a week after Christmas and spend wonderful, cherished time with family and friends. However, we always manage to bring back some yucky germs after a visit with our little friends, and unfortunately Owen rang in the new year with a fever and yucky stomach bug. :(

                        Sweet boy resting in Mommy and Daddy's bed....he just wasn't feeling too great!


We are so, so excited about the many changes or family will experience this year. Words cannot describe our gratitude to Michael's sister and her willingness to offer Owen a new start at life. We are blessed beyond measure with the love that surround us from our family and friends. Thank you so, so much for you prayers and words of encouragement. Keep them coming!

As we approach this year I am "chewing" on this verse from Exodus:
"The Lord will fight for you: you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14

I am so excited for transplant, yet anxious nerves are starting to spread through my body. Owen's body will completely transform after this, and he will finally know what it feels like to feel good and healthy. But, along with that will come new, very important medication regimens and a host of new worries. But I can't, cannot let it consume my thoughts. The Lord will fight for Owen, this is his year to shine and shine he will!

Please join me in praising God now for the healing we know is coming!

"There is nothing that so fully solidifies faith as being so sure of the answer that you can thank God for it."