Nearing one year

 A couple weeks ago we went back to Loma Linda for a clinic appointment with our transplant team since we are nearing 1 year post transplant. Gabriella's ECHO function was great and her growth is fantastic! They decided to change all of her immuno-suppressants to new ones. For all those transplant people out there, she was on Neoral Cyclosporine and Cellcept, and now on Prograf and Rapamune. Her clinic doctor said that he is finding this medication combination, introduced later post-transplant, yields better long term results in terms of her coronary artery health, mouth/gum issues and kidney function. They also lowered her target levels, which means they have brought back her immune system to the highest it will ever come back. I feel I can safely say without jinxing myself, that she successfully made it one whole year with a suppressed immune system and no major illnesses! Makes me feel like all of those times we either stayed back, were "overly" cautious or went out of our way to keep her away from germs was worth it! And even then, we still let her enjoy so many things.... finding a healthy balance. Of course, it's still not 100% clear now. She still has a suppressed immune system for the rest of her life, but we are out of the harshest part of it and I couldn't be happier!!

We took the opportunity while going there to enjoy the beach, naturally. My kids are such beach babies!!!

And we also got to spend Easter with our friends at Restoration Covenant in Redlands, CA!






And have lunch with our previous Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House neighbor and fellow heart recipient, Logan!

We are returning in June to Loma Linda for quite a few appointments and tests. Paul, PJ and I all had our genetic testing done and submitted so when Gabriella and I return to Loma Linda, we will meet with the geneticist and go over the results in detail with our geneticist. Gabriella will also have a clinic appointment with our transplant team, a kidney function test, and her sedated biopsy to test for rejection. It will be an overwhelming few days of appointments, information and testing results but we are faithful in the results.

Life continues to throw us curveballs of different kinds, but we continue to move forward. Remembering how blessed we are is never forgotten, no matter how clouded the earthly problems or human judgement tries to make it.