Charles H. - Wife's Health Update

Update on my dear wife, Dara - June 4:

GOODNEWS!!! She has been working so hard with her rehab Physical and Occupational Therapists with the goal of going home. She has made great gains in her strength and endurance and as a result she will be coming home, Thursday, Jun 11. Yea!!! Her therapists told her that they don't want to see her go due to her sweet nature, but are so happy for her.

 Dara has had mobility issues for many years and has been homebound except for doctor's appointments. She had resigned herself to never being able to enjoy normal activities outside home. But, she now feels she can go outside and with use of her walker can walk through the neighborhood for exercise,  talk to neighbors, and sit down in the garden and enjoy God's creation. She also feels that she may also be able to accompany me to church, to bookstores (she loves books too), visits to downtown Charleston, go to restaurants and so much more. She will have to use a wheelchair for many of these activities, but she will no longer be cooped up in the house. Her therapists have challenged her to go beyond what she thought she was capable. I have so much appreciation for them. They have given Dara a gift, a very special gift.

MORE GOODNEWS!!! When she arrived in the Emergency Room on May 9 her potassium levels were dangerously high slowing her heart rate down and her creatine number was 10.0 (1.0 is the ideal number). This required emergency dialysis. Her creatine number (shows how well the kidneys are functioning) slowly decreased to 3.6 during her 12 days in the hospital. Her kidney doctor told her the level may decrease or it could be her new baseline, not requiring dialysis, but would need close monitoring. After a week in rehab it only decreased to 3.4, so we were feeling down. But, today she was told it is down to 2.4. Tears of joy. Although, 1.0 is the ideal, the doctor said that as we get older we naturally lose some kidney function, so many people live perfectly normal lives even as high as 2.5. She is already under that, and we hope to see continued improvement.

Dara has an appointment with her urologist tomorrow. He is the one that inserted the stents and temporary tubing to bypass the large kidney stones. We should find out the timeline for removal of the stones, stents and tubing.

Once again, thank you so much for your continued prayers, love and concern. You are all so very much appreciated.