Surgery Update: A Snapshoot of our Week

Monday, January 30^th:

3:30 - Jeremy’s case is presented to the board

                5pm - No Word

Tuesday, January 31^st

                Morning – UNC approved Jeremy!!!!!  Moving forward for February 14^th

                Afternoon – start the process of booking apartment and submitting dates to work

Wednesday, February 1^st

                Morning – Apartment booked and confirmed! And Work dates submitted

                Evening – UNC coordinators (both Jeremy’s and Ashley’s) think the 14^th is doubtful.

Thursday, February 2^nd

                Morning – UNC takes away the 14^th as a surgery date.  Our next hope is the 21^st.

Who knew 4 days could bring so much up and down.  The UNC final board approval is what we have been waiting on for a year and a half.  It was our goal.  Something to rejoice and celebrate.  But when we got word of the approval it did not bring much joy or excitement.  There was a heavy shadow hanging over us – Ashley’s Medicaid has not approved Jeremy.  There has been a frenzy of phone call and emails to both coordinators.  But it basically comes down to Medicaid.  They have 15 days to approve Jeremy and they have said to stop calling, they will take as much time as they need.  

So this morning, Ashley’s coordinator emailed and said the surgeons would not hold the 14^th any longer.  The 14^th is no longer an option and they are now holding the 21^st.  The 21^st was our last choice and gets complicated for several reasons.

1.       I (Kate) have to be in Florida on March 1^st for a weekend show – my largest in the spring.  That does not give a large enough window for Jeremy’s recovery

2.       We will have to figure out a new plan that might involve flights back and forth, family members driving back up, etc.

3.       Our apartment is only available till March 2^nd – so we will have to find another place for Jeremy to stay after that. 

4.       And the biggest – we are ready for the surgery to happen NOW!

There is still so much unknown.  Jeremy does not have a confirmed pre-op date.  And the biggest issue is the Medicaid approval.  They have 15 days to give a response.  And we are not guaranteed an approval – remember after all they denied Ashley and it took a several month legal battle to get the approval. 

With all the ups and downs we have experienced, this week did bring a great victory – Jeremy is matched to be Ashley’s donor!  Even though it is a struggle, we have to change our mindset.  We have to rejoice that Jeremy is a match and that the surgery is almost here.  We have so much to be thankful for!  But the battle is not done.  Please pray for Medicaid approval.  God hears our bold and audacious prayers.  We know He has the perfect timing and the perfect plan.  Please also pray that everyone involved can relinquish their worries and anxieties to God. 

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Thank you for your support and prayers through this all.  We really could not face this without the love and support from our family and friends. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.