As many of you know, my dad, Adrian, has been dealing with Stage 4 CKD (chronic kidney disease) since his heart attack in 2019. He definitely hasn’t had it easy since then, but if you know him, you know he would never show the struggles he’s had to endure.

He started peritoneal dialysis in 2023. While starting this, we, with the help of friends and loved ones, along with total strangers, had also started a search for a living donor match or the wait for a deceased donor match. While there had been some matches when it comes to blood type, the process of actually 100% matching and passing every test it takes to be a match is not easy. With the many ups and downs trying to find out the future, and wondering if there would even be a living donor match, in September of 2024 our family was notified of just that. The donor had asked to remain anonymous until all tests were done and that they knew they were a true 100% match with all tests passing.

In October of 2024, my parents discovered who the match was along with hearing the clearance of the donor matching 100% and passing all the tests. From there, the process for my dad to complete his end of the testing began. After CT scans, X-rays, an echocardiogram, ultrasounds, a stress test, TTE, cardiac catheterization, and multiple blood draws, he is now on the home stretch of finding out when the kidney transplant may take place. Last week, my parents met with the transplant team in Portland and began the process of figuring out the next and final steps. With the majority of the testing complete (and being CLEARED! thus far), we now wait to hear back from the transplant coordinator to see what the next steps are regarding the last tidy up of tests and a time frame of when the transplant may occur.

CRAZY to think this is where we’re at now, when it seemed so distant before! My dad would never ask for any help in any way, shape, or form. Now, with being where he is in the process, it will require many trips to Portland for appointments, the actual surgery, and the recovery period following. Though we all know my dad would only ask for prayers for the process, the transplant team, and prayers for the donor, he will be unable to work for the time being with surgery and recovery, making sure his body doesn’t reject the organ, and my mom will need to take time off from her job to be right alongside him.

My dad isn’t aware of me making this, but he is one that does find things out quickly. Just know if you aren’t able to support them monetarily, I know he would greatly appreciate if you lift him up as well as all involved during this time.