It's going to be a good day

It's here. The day that we have been anticipating for the past 2 years is finally here. We are so excited to have this day behind us and for Max to get to experience what it's like to be a "normal" kid.

Through this journey we have gotten to know a lot of people. People that have changed our lives forever. We have learned lessons that will have an impact on us for the rest of our lives. We are not regretful that we were chosen to parent a child with ESRD. We are blessed. Max is who he is because of the hand that was dealt to him. Max is a beautiful little boy on the inside and outside. He puts a smile on everyone's face that comes in contact with him. He is an extraordinary little boy that has the potential of doing great things when he grows up.

I have had the honor of meeting a few other kidney baby mamas in the past few weeks. They are all from Tennessee and two of them have chosen to come to Cincinnati for their little ones transplants. Laura's little girl, Summer, has been put into our old slot of July 27th. Everything happens for a reason and I feel that Max's transplant was moved up so that Summer could get her daddy's kidney without having to wait too much longer. Yvette gave her little boy, Brandon, her kidney about 8 weeks ago and both are doing beautifully. Yvette has come to the hospital to see both Laura and I just to make sure that we are hanging in there and doing well. She has been a blessing for me because she has already been through the transplant. She is answering all of my questions. She cries and laughs with me and tells me how awesome it is to see your child blossom with their "new" kidney. Yvette- thank you. Thank you for all that you have done for me in the past few weeks. I just met you but I feel like I have known you my whole life. You truly are a blessing to us and we are honored to have gotten to know you in real life rather than just over the internet. Thank you.

We also need to thank all of you who are praying for us. The prayer vigil such a huge hit that it got extended to 48 hours rather than just 24. You all are amazing for doing this. It means so much that so many of you are out there praying for us. Whoever prayed for Tim and I to find peace tonight, thank you. The prayer was answered. My brother and sister-in-law came over with dinner, Max was cracking us all up and Yvette came to see us. It was such an enjoyable evening and we are at peace with what tomorrow will bring. We feel that this surgery is going to go well. We know that there will be complications, but they won't be anything that we can't handle. Max is a tough little guy and will pull through this. We have gotten this far. There is no way that God would end our journey now. Not after all that we have been through.

In 9 hours I will head down to the same day surgery area, get signed in, have an IV placed, get into my gown and wait for the life changing moment that we have been waiting so long for. At 7:45 tomorrow morning I will be wheeled into the OR for the third time in my life. The first time was the open fetal surgery that saved Max's life. The second time was on May 12, 2008- the day that Max was born. The third will be the second time that I have gotten the honor of saving my son's life.

Tomorrow is a new day. July 8, 2010 is the day that Max gets a chance at a new life. Tomorrow is going to be beautiful.