Hello!! What an exciting, scary, wonderful day!! We started the day very early (leaving the apartment at 4:30am) Deanna checked in on 3rd floor and Danna on 6th floor then before surgery the girls were facing each other in the pre-op, go figure. The thinking is that the donor and recipient may have issues before the event. Well, not the case with my girls, they were both so committed.

We heard from Dr. Shields' first saying that Deanna had done well and there were no surprises. He told us that the kidney was spurting a urine stream when he removed it. Deanna then went to recovery after surgery for about 1-2 hours, then to a room on 6th floor.

Next we heard from Dr. Smith saying that all went well with Danna's transplant and that the kidney was working. Danna then went to ICU for the next 24 hours to be sure that all is well.

What great news! The girls had John give me a gift from them after this news. A Celebration Angel that was dancing!! How appropriate!! I must say I had tears. Along with John, his boys, Danna's Dylan and Allie there was Mike & Phyllis Howard and Joe and Dorothy Dunbar and Danna's friend, Jamie Moore cheering with the news...

A big thank you to Phyllis and Mike for getting the kids up, dressed, breakfast and at the hospital by 6:15am this morning.

This afternoon we visited Danna three times and she reports that she has walked 3 times around the ICU and is putting out a liter every 30 minutes. They are giving her fluids to help convinence the kidney to keep preforming. She has eaten and swallowed a ton of pills. She looks very good and says she did not know she would feel this good after surgery. She is on pain meds, but will start weaning off of them in the next few days. Plans are to move to her room on the 6th floor around 1pm tomorrow. Looking good!!!

We visited Deanna this afternoon in her room. She is feeling pain, but is dealing with it and will start the weaning process. She had swelling because of the amount of fluids she received to hydrate the kidney and also from having her head down and feet up during surgery. Best position to retrieve the kidney. She is such a courageous young lady with a great love for her sister. Yes, mom is so proud. Her caregiver is John and he is doing an excellent job. He talks to all the doctors, nurses, techs and etc about what is going on. Since Deanna is such a "note taker" I know when she is feeling better she will quiz him and I am sure he will have all the answers.

All the children are visiting family for a few days. Tavis, Gavin and Maccoy are with Grandpa Gene and Judy, they came to the hospital around 3pm to see Deanna and pick up the boys. Boys will be able to visit with cousins for the next few days. Dylan and Allie were picked up this afternoon to spend the next couple of days at their father's. He lives in Wichita. We do appreciate this offer, as we consentrate on helping the girls recover and get to the appartment as soon as possible.

Jamie and I are not at the hospital, but I will call a couple of times to see that all is well tonight. Even if you are 40 your mother worries!!! I will spend tomorrow morning with Deanna (I can't see Danna until 1pm, ICU rules). My hope is that John will get some rest tonight, but we all know hospitals.

Our love goes out to the doctors who so skillfully did their jobs today, the Transplant Team who showed support, thank you Mark and Beth and to our many, many friends, families and church families who reached out to us with your prayers and love. Today, life is good. Deanna said she felt her father today in the operating room, I would not be surprised. Thank you for letting me get a little long winded. Norma (now let's see if I am smart to get this posted. Ha)