BREAKING NEWS

I've waited to post this information for general knowledge until I was able to be as accurate as possible as well as give those involved in other aspects of my life an appropriate "head's up"

In the past several weeks things have been progressing quickly and information has been coming from Duke at a good rate. The news that I have been waiting to receive has arrived.

I received a phone call from my donor yesterday. According to what I understand, she is a 4 point match ( 6 being perfect ) which is a very good match.

Surgery is scheduled for 11 Jan 2006 (gee I mistyped 2007 before - it's THIS January!) to remove the natives, "Boris and Natasha" who might be about 25 lbs each and are up under my ribcage in the back and extend down to the pelvic bone. That extension and their size means that, with them in, there is no room for the transplanted kidney. Additionally, the cysts are probably infected and it's going to be impossible to remove either kidney without rupturing cysts - as a matter of fact, the plan is TO rupture cysts to bring the size of the kidneys down to a manageable size.

Transplanting an organ requires for the body's immune system to be disabled and reduced so rejection will not occur. If those medications are administered at the end of the nephrectomy, the possibility of infection is greatly magnified, so I'll be given a porta-cath and will be given dialysis three times a week as the body recovers from the nephrectomy. This is projected to take a few weeks.

When it's determined that I'm healing well enough to have the transplant, around 01 February 2006, I'll be evaluated for the second surgery to place the new kidney somewhere in the neighborhood of the right pelvic bone. I'll be travelling weekly back & forth to Duke for evaluation of the medicine that will protect the new kidney and balance those chemicals & medicines that will keep me AND the new kidney functioning.

I know this is both exciting and frightening for me, as well as for many of you. It must be an exciting and frightening time for my donor and her family, who I know has had to discuss and struggle with the decision to be tested and to donate a kidney which will be my life sustainer as I grow older.

As you remember me in your thoughts, prayers, white or golden light, or in your own way, please include a special thought and prayer of thanks and support for Ann and her family as she shares this unbelievable gift with me.

Godspeed
Tim & Twins

BODY PHYSICAL VS ENERGY & LIFE FORCE

Life is a challenge and a joy!

I've been reflecting on both the challenges and the joys of life, and was recently challenged to take a close look at how I (mostly) keep going when it's pretty apparent that the body is starting to feel the impact of having two 25 lb twins inside that keep growing.

To be honest, I've had to miss school a few days already this year - not like last year however, but I see what I might call my "body energy" taking a dive on occasion, yet...

In the day-to-day work of teaching music and playing the organ at church, I'm finding that I'm doing pretty well and that I'm continually energized by the teaching and the music making. I'm doing pretty well to keep up with a few conducting opportunities as well, and, although I *know* that the surgery will put a dent in *those* life experiences, I'm still finding being active and committed to the challenges and joys of life a great benefit.

I'm growing to understand that the physical body and the part of the body that many refer to as the soul or life force (or as I understand it through my teaching - ENERGY!) are intertwined but yet two separate and distinct things.

I'm certain that the physical body is having a toll taken on the moment by moment life, but when I often get asked by you guys " so...how ARE you..." I have to answer "I'm FINE!"

...and I am! My life force/energy is more focused and is burning brighter than ever before! I know without a doubt that *this* energy IS the important part of life and is totally what keeps me going. Interestingly, it's the part of me that directly feels and responds to what I know from you as "..I'm praying for you!" That power and energy is directly channeled to me and it keeps me going beyond anything that I can gather from life. Music holds that energy as well, for all of us!

All of this is beyond the body physical, yet that body (my body) feels that energy generated from that part which is genuinely me - my life energy!

There is my "secret" for those who have asked. Genuinely I'm FINE and plan to BE fine for a long time in the future....no matter what happens to the body!

Know that I covet your thoughts and prayers and remember you and your life-energy in my thoughts and prayers.

Godspeed
Tim & Twins