THE TIN MAN IS WAITING TO SEE THE WIZARD

Welcome to the the journal of Ken's journey for a Heart....

First of all THANK YOU ALL for your prayers and support. God is SOOOOO good!!! Although things seem to change on a daily basis, sometimes twice a day, we can definitely see God at work in this process.

This journey is a true miracle. We are here in Baltimore, Maryland waiting for a heart. When we were flown here on Friday night (1-4-08) we thought he was coming to get an L-VAD (ventricular assist device); however, things have changed just a bit. The doctors here would like to try and hold off on that procedure in order to see if a heart becomes available for transplant. They feel there is an 80% chance one could become available within the next 2-4 weeks. So far it is unclear what caused his system to crash so hard that Wednesday morning at home. They may not be able to come up with a medical reason, but we believe it is God's plan and there is a purpose for our being here in this place at this time. As you know, that is all easier said than living it a times. It has definitely been challenging thus far.

Ken, as you know, is very shy around those he doesn't know - HA HA!! He doesn't want anyone to ever know how sick he really is so he has entertained everyone with his "charming" personality and no one has entered his room without seeing the pictures of our grandson Jack. It hasn't taken the nurses long to spoil Ken, I think some have even offered to take him home.

Tomorrow the doctors will be discharging him to the greater city of Baltimore. Right now they say everything is working (especially his kidneys) and they want to see how everything works when he is in a more active routine. It could be they just wanted the CCU to return to a more "normal" routine. We are going to stay at the hotel and resume (as much as possible) normal activity. He will have to go into the clinic once a week to have blood work done and make sure that everything is still in working order.

Sometimes we are willing to settle for what is "artificial" when God wants to give us the REAL thing. Just as we are struggling with our own reality, we realize another family will soon be struggling with their own if Ken is to receive a heart. Please pray for the family who will be giving the gift of life at such a great loss for them.

We are truly humbled by the outpouring of love and support from our "FAMILY" - and what a big family we have! Again, God is SOOOOO good and working miracles even when we are not fully aware of them all. We are definitely having to practice patience and to trust in our God who knows all.