Step By Step...Inch By Inch...

Recent posts have started with a commercial reference. This one is different. I don't know why this Three Stooges skit entered my mind. I really don't. I searched for a video clip, and I found similar ones from Abbott and Costello, and I Love Lucy. They all have basically the same story, and I'm not sure what it really has to do with our latest situation, but I will do my best to make the connection for you.

We did get news this week about Donor #2. His doctor finally sent the proper paperwork to the Mayo Clinic. They sent out the orders for blood tests, and he had those done. He studied more than I did and aced the blood tests. The donor coordinator from Phoenix called and set up his week of testing at the Mayo Clinic. He will be traveling out the week of June 5. There are several tests, examinations, and meetings that will be involved. If all goes well, we will know if he can be a donor on June 15. If he is still willing to go through with all of this, the surgery might be scheduled for late June. We would like to get the surgery done as soon as possible to Missy will be able to return to teaching in the fall.

Have you seen the connection yet? Nope, me either. We are taking this process step by step and inch by inch. Some steps are smaller than others. This latest news is a larger step, and we hope it leads to the final steps. Yes, it's a bit of a stretch for a connection, but it's the best I could come up with. No, we're not planning on punching anybody out any time soon.

Please pray that all goes well with the travel and testing. We will keep you updated as best we can. Oh, I thought of this song, too, when thinking of a step by step process. This analogy is better than the others.

This Is Where It's At

You can go with this...

Or you can go with that...

This post begins with another commercial reference. The inspiration came from our rental car choice in Phoenix.

I'm not sure Missy has spent enough time in the 'hood. Although a ride in the Weinermobile would be kind of cool, I think we'll stick with the Soul for now.

This relates to our transplant journey. We have ideas that we would like to see to get us through this process, but it isn't always what God has in mind. We were hoping that this week would be the time of my screening to be a donor. Instead, we are in Phoenix for some follow-up appointments for Missy. We are still waiting for the screening process to continue for our second donor candidate. This one is going very slowly as one doctor is taking a while to get some necessary records together.

Our delay, though unwanted, will allow for some ease in the future. I will be able to be there for Missy as her caregiver. That wouldn't be the case if I was the donor. Also, the transplant will take place in June at the earliest. This will allow Joy to be done with school and make her care much easier.

We did have a blessing on the way out to Phoenix. Missy has the type of personality where she can strike up a conversation with anybody. She talked with another lady waiting for the plane, and has someone else praying for her as a result. She also talked to the lady sitting next to her on the first part of our flight. That lady got off the plane in San Antonio, and we stayed for the flight to Phoenix. One of the flight attendants came up to Missy between flights. She handed Missy some money and said it was from the lady who sat next to Missy. We had never met this lady before, but she gave Missy $100 because she felt led to do so. While on the flight, she also took Missy's name and said that she would put Missy on her prayer list. We truly appreciated the money, but the prayers are worth much more. Thank you very much, Carolyn. May God bless your generosity.

I haven't posted in a while because there really isn't much else to say. We are still waiting. I will post more information as it becomes available.