Quoteable quotes

Day one has ended for reporter Jeanne. She is sequestered in her hotel room looking forward to a good night's sleep. But her final call to me this evening included some quotes that Tim wanted to share with you.

The first: "I never knew ICU could be so fun." It seems that the night shift nurse booted Jeanne out of ICU when the suppertime visiting hours were over -- the nerve of her! Of course, that was license for Tim to give nurse a bad time while Jeanne was gone, especially when it took 50 minutes for her to get back to him so he could turn the TV on. Tim sweetly asked, and you can all picture this, "Do you have a heavy patient load tonight?" She said, "No, just two." By time Jeanne came back for the 8:30 visiting time, the nurse was being very sweet, having learned that Tim was syrupy sweet when his needs were cared for but, if not cared for, then... Tim was definitely having some fun training his nurse!

On a more serious and reflective note, this is a quote that should hearten each one of us who has followed the course of Tim's PKD:

"I can't believe how good I feel," he bubbled. "I haven't felt this good in years." Over the past years as the disease progressed, he never thought he felt bad. But with a properly functioning kidney, he already knows the difference. Other transplant patients had told him how quickly he would feel well, but Tim didn't comprehend the immediate, marked difference until this evening. Jeanne reported that Tim's demeanor as they were talking about this was that of being thrilled .. nearly euphoric ... about how good he feels. And it wasn't drugs talking. "It's literally a whole new lease on life," Tim said. I'm sure when he is able, he will offer his personal reflection on this.

I do have to report that the now infamous "Bite me" comment has not left us. Before Jeanne saw him in ICU for the first time after surgery, I asked her to express my good wishes and to tell him, "Bite me." Um ... suffice it to say that Tim's response will not be posted here in order that we may retain our PG rating.

"It was an honor and privilege to have been there tonight." This was not a quote from Tim; it came from caregiver Jeanne. Jeanne, as you may remember, coordinated the donor inquiry process for Tim and has been by his side (if Princeton, WV and Dallas, TX are side-by-side) from the beginning of the Duke proceedings. Tim has asked her to be sure and visit Ann's room tomorrow. She will be our voice in expressing the gratitude of each one of us for the gift of renewed life. In our selfishness of wanting Tim's transplant to occur and his health to improve, it is Ann's unselfish act that is making this possible. Again, you can send a card or note to Ann c/o Tim Waugh, PO Box 1700, Bluefield, WV 24701 and it will be forwarded.

We are grateful that Jeanne is with him and expect that she will post a first-person account tomorrow night. Visiting hours last until 10 p.m. EST, so it may be later in the evening.

-- Brian

All is calm, all is bright

On-site reporter Jeanne advises that everything continues to go well in ICU for Tim.

There are two primary issues that the ICU team is monitoring: output and pain. The output seems to be more than adequate. As far as pain -- the ICU folk are learning that when Tim reaches the upper limit of his high tolerance for pain, he wants his medication NOW, not an hour and a half later. Jeanne reports that teacher Tim offered a quick course on "Waugh Pain Management 101" to his head nurse!

The very pleasant surprise this evening was when angel Ann and her husband came to visit Tim. They stayed for about 15 minutes. Ann walked to Tim's room -- there's something to be said about that family's stamina and determination!

Unless there is some breaking news, we'll update tomorrow evening, when we hope Tim have been transferred from ICU to a regular room.

-- Brian

Another successful surgery

2:30 p.m. EST news: Jeanne just called after speaking to Tim's surgeon. As with the nephrectomy, all went well with the transplant. Tim has been taken to ICU where Jeanne and Chef Mike should be able to see him in about 30 minutes.

Of course, continued thoughts and prayers are needed as the kidney gets used to its new home. There is the issue of rejection that should keep us from becoming too overconfident right now, but everything has gone well up to this time.

According to the only information the surgeon could give her, Ann is in the Recovery Room after her surgery. Tim would, without question, ask us to extend thoughts and prayers to Ann and her family, also.

The best guess is that there won't be much news to report until later this evening. Check in sometime this evening for an update. And, as always, breaking news will be brought to you as it happens.

--Brian

T-Day has arrived!

On-the-scene reporter Jeanne just checked in. Tim, Jeanne, and Chef Mike arrived at the Duke Medical Center about 6 a.m., as did Ann. As of about 8:20, Jeanne thought Tim should probably be in surgery. (UPDATE: Surgical desk notified Jeanne and Mike that the surgery actually began about 10:00.) Tim's estimate was 2-5 hours ... probably 2, he said. Well, that's what he said for the nephrectomy, and it ended up being closer to 5 hours, so we won't anticipate another update until noon or 1 p.m. EST. As soon as we have news, we'll post it here.

I wonder if Tim has rehearsed a post-op line to try to top "Bite me"? (If you are wondering about this, scroll down to the posts of Jan. 11 and 12 for details.)

-- Brian

..Music..Energy...Connectedness

Time is passing very quickly although I feel very clear and calm. As you read in the previous post, time became compressed on this past Thursday and I'm cleared for transplant on THIS MONDAY January 30th!

My past few days have been times of thought and reflection, of things that end and things that begin. In all of these things I've found opportunities to genuinely celebrate! I'm hoping that you will join me in my celebrations just before phase two - transplant begins early Monday morning.

My first celebration revolves around the simple joys of spending time with my donor, Ann. We're both curiously private persons and this was a low-key opportunity to share thoughts and information about our upcoming surgeries. In these discussions we've decided to have me participate in a study that will give me alternative drugs to prevent rejection which will avoid the lifetime use of steroids to help prevent rejection. I hope that the studies with me, which have similar risks with other traditional therapies might help pave the way to have most all transplants done without extensive and lifetime steroid use.

I covet your prayers for me, as I covet your prayers for Ann. As I mentioned, she is a private person as I am but I'd appreciate your joining me in making an attempt, albeit feeble, to thank her for her gift of life to me. You're welcome to send cards to my home address [Attn. Ann C/O Tim Waugh PO Box 1700 Bluefield WV 24701] which will be forwarded to Ann. I've tried to add my deep appreciation to her for her unbelievable generosity.

Second, I hope you will celebrate with me those who are on dialysis and those who work in the centers which provide a direction connection with machines which maintain life. In my short time at the Princeton Dialysis Unit I developed a deep appreciation and connectedness with those who are simply life-givers to all of us on dialysis. I joined a procession each Monday, Wednesday and Friday of people from all walks of life, mostly older, some in wheelchairs and on oxygen, each with a pillow and blanket to comfort the three hour plus experience of having ones lifeblood gently pumped out, cleaned and returned in one-cup portions. Dialysis is not a horrible experience. Little to no pain is attached. It's clear to everyone involved; technicians, nurses and patients that it's a necessary part of continuing life for three events a week, each about three to four hours. The staff often arrives before 5 am and cannot leave until the last patient is completed, as late as 8 pm. Only a few ever get the opportunity to celebrate the end of dialysis. I was one of those few this past Friday and was deeply moved by the joy that the staff shared with me in celebrating what could be my last dialysis experience! Pray and celebrate those involved in this lifegiving process.

Last, I was deeply moved and humbled to be strong enough to surprise my four All State WV-ACDA girls in Charleston WV for their final concert today at 2 pm. I kept my secret well and was there just before the concert to let them know I was there to hear them! The return surprise that *I* received was the joy and excitement that my vocal association colleagues expressed to me in celebrating my ability to be with them after a short 17 days after the departure of the kids. In the midst of the concert I became acutely aware of how connected we all are, and how important it is to express that connectedness through sharing of the energy created by prayer and by music, and by simply expressing these feelings with a hug or a pat on the back. When you add me to your prayers over the coming days, please find one person to share your music-energy with by letting them know just how much they mean to you.

Music and prayer create an energy that is overwhelming. When it's shared with another, unbelievable things happen! Each of you have made genuinely unbelievable things happen in the last 17 days of my life!! Thanks for continuing to share your energies with me!

grace and peace to each of you!

Tim

TRANSPLANT NEWS FLASH!!!!

Our current roving reporter with Tim, Stephanie Wiltse, just called from Duke to advise that the transplant has been moved from Feb. 6 to this coming Monday, Jan. 30 -- "signed, sealed, and delivered," as Stephanie said. This is a positive move -- not a critical or emergency issue. All is well -- just moving faster!

Tim was at Duke today for his nephrectomy post-op and transplant pre-op. Ann was there for her pre-op, also. Stephanie took a picture of them together; hopefully Ann will allow us to post it here so we can see Tim's angel of life.

More details will be coming forth.

--Brian Burke

A good day - YAY!!

Today is Tuesday and that's a good day! There is no dialysis on Tuesday :-)
Thursdays are good days too! {we'll not discuss Mondays or Wednesdays or Fridays - ok?}

OH and a discovery! One of the caregivers [Mike] discovered that refrigerator word magnets don't stick to suture staples - too bad - we could plan a lengthy message for the surgeon
at the next visit!

I went to my GP this morning and I seem to be doing well - according to him (and we have to trust him - he reads this blog too!) [A BIG thanks to Dr Hopper for seeing me thru all these years!] On the flip side, it does appear that I'm anemic in addition to needing some additional repair work. Apparently the pressures of the kidneys and all the organs in that now small area masked a hernia on the right. It'll have to be repaired either before, during or after the transplant. We've contacted Duke and I'll see my surgeon on Thursday so we will have more info on repairs after the visit!

Today my Mail Delivery person brought a stack of mail which had a LARGE collection of get well wishes! Things have been forwarded from Duke as well as arriving in my PO Box!

What a delight to see cards and good wishes from you guys all across the US !!! Bell groups and ringers from churches and festivals, members of several churches where I have served, people that are recent acquaintances and old friends whom I had no idea knew about all the renovation! I've been through them all several times and I'll be reading them again and again! Your thoughts and prayers and good wishes are so very much appreciated!

Today is just at the halfway point between Boris and Natasha's debut and the anticipated "new kid" arrival! About 12 more days until Surgery Phase II and only five or possibly 6 more dialysis treatments - but who's counting.

I'll close today's post with one of the quips penned on one of the get well cards that I'm enjoying....

Moose and Squirrel have eradicated Boris and Natasha!!!

Tim & and about 80 Staples

A wonderful Sunday

It's been a good day!

Each day a little of my strength returns and I'm feeling more and more "normal" athough I tire easily. I look toward a warm bed several times a day as a timely refuge from the cold feet and hands that do still occasionally plague.

Today I made myself available to play for church! YUP! I played the whole service without needing any rest! There *were* a few strange notes, instigated mostly from playing in a different pair of shoes. When I went to get my organ briefcase I discovered that I had only one shoe, so I played in a "new" pair. Those who are organists know how that would confuse LOL!

All in all, I figure no one noticed - much ;-)

I was honored after church to be invited by Mrs. Phoebe Herring, one of the church members, to lunch at Black Knight Country Club ( a favorite place to be invited to eat) with her son David and another friend. The food was wonderful as usual, and I ate small amounts of what was legal and what I could manage.

This week brings a visit to my GP and back to Duke for checkups. I'm really pleased that I'm keeping things together as much as I can!

Perhaps endlessly, but I still reiterate how much I appreciate each of you. Your help with prayers and support as well as those of you who are quite hands-on with my care and ongoing recuperation is so much appreciated!

Thanks to all!
Tim sans B&N

After a slight pause....

HEY - TWO GREAT MINDS :-D Thanks Brian (his posting follows)

I'm delighted to be back writing directly to all of you!

Things have been right next to unbelievable! The surgery went much smoother than *I* anticipated and I think was anticipated by friends and doctors.

I know that a huge thank you goes to each of you, for your prayers and white light and good energy that you send each minute and hour of the day. My progress has been exciting!

I got home on Monday and spent a restful night. After a bit of a speedbump to start Tuesday I got out later that day to go by to see the school administration and check up on my kids. Several of you have observed honestly that my biggest worries of all of this process center around my kids at school. I'm hoping for good and consistent things to continue there.

I did have a fast "dinner" of rice at Applebee's with two caregivers and then went about reconsructing life at home. I do tire easily and have to take care to make sure that I don't lift or move anything that I shouldn't. Keeping ME clean is a minor challenge. The catheter for dialysis is just below my right shoulder and cannot get wet. Bathing/showering and hair washing both present challenges and take up more time than I would have anticipated.

Dialysis on Wednesday ( my 4th session) in Princeton proved to be a challenge. The 3rd session went for 4+ hours at Duke because the machine developed clots right at the start. The Princeton session ended with the same clotting, and a few small clots were pushed into my perm cath and had to be cleared. This was exciting to say the least, and after both of these sessions I didn't have the energy to do more than listen! This was a BIG change from "normal"!! It was just good to be in a warmed bed and close my eyes.

In stark contrast, I think I frightened a few of the members of Beckley Presbyterian Choir when I showed up for rehearsal and accompanied the whole time. I know several had expectations of me to be lying quietly in some hospital room, and there I was! Before some of you jump to worry, yes, it's all approved thru Duke!

My orders (when I specifically questioned about playing the piano and being "out" in the mall and places like that) were to "do as much as you can to speed your recovery - don't lift anything or drive - but get active!" Is THAT an open door or what? Before I hear some of you panic, yes I'm going to be reasonable with how much I do and I'll be careful! :-D

I hope you are as surprised and pleased as I of all of the successes that have been a part of this whole progression. A special thank you to those who have responded to Brian's work to help with the other struggles that accompany this surgery.

It is my continued hope that you come to know more about PKD and join others, PKD sufferers, donors and researchers to put an end to this disease. I covet your continued prayers for strength and health!

Tim Sol.... sans twins!

Where In The World Is Carmen Timwaughdiego?

He has been MIA from posting here, so a quick update from the phone calls between he, Jeanne, and myself.
All is well in Princeton. He has been doing as much as his energy allows, such as dining out and going to choir rehearsal at the church in Beckley where he is "artist-in-residence". When he overdoes, as Tim is prone to do, he does need to get his rest.
After some snafus with his previous two dialysis treatments, he had an excellent one on Friday. Other than that, there's not a lot else to tell. Ohio Mike and Chef Mike have been his primary caregivers this week; Stephanie from Grand Rapids MI will be in next week to embellish these reports; San Diego Laurie follows her and will stay until Tim leaves for the transplant -- assuming it stays on schedule for Feb 6.
-- Brian

Getting back to (a slightly altered) normal

Empty-nester Tim (get it? the kids are gone...) is safely home, and he says that "life without kidneys is returning to 'normal.'" Instead of convalescing at home as some of us would do, Tim has already gotten up and out! He had a bit of dinner at Applebee's this evening, then grabbed a few groceries for home. He's a little worn out tonight but in his usual good spirits. He'll have his first home-town dialysis treatment tomorrow afternoon, so if you could all send some prayers, positive energy, and good thoughts in that direction for everything to go smoothly, I know Tim would appreciate it.

--Jeanne
P.S. Thanks to Ohio Mike for taking over the caregiving this week!

The Wheels On The Truck...

...go round and round between NC and WV.

Or at least they will in a few minutes.

Tim called me at 5:15 p.m. to advise that Earnest had gone to get his truck and that Tim was waiting for a wheelchair to escort him out of the building. I guess he has finally worn out his welcome.

The boys have to pick up a prescription of pain med, and then they have to stop at the hotel and check out. Once they get on the road, it's a four-hour drive from Durham to Princeton. Somewhere along the way, friend Ernie is meeting up with Tim and Earnest and will commandeer Tim into his car -- an easier ride than the truck.

Unfortunately, today was not an easy day. Last night, they did not give him the proper amounts of pain meds, which took a toll on him. And then his dialysis machine had some problems, and dialysis took an extra hour. Then he had to deal with issues about his pre- and post-surgery meds.

But the upside is that the first part of the journey has been successfully completed, and we now move to the interim period between surgeries. He has an appointment on Jan. 31 at Duke which will probably be the final "all systems go" checkup before the transplant.

Remember: Cards can be sent to PO Box 1700, Bluefield WV 24701-1700 or simply post a comment below. Also, consider a contribution made out and mailed to Waugh Fund of First Church, PO Box 232, Wellington OH 44090.

-- Brian Burke

They pulled the plug...

...on all of the medical paraphernalia attached to Tim, including all of the IV drips and his epidural pain block. Except for one port still in one hand and his dialysis port, Tim is a free man. Well, free of tubes, that is.

And there's even less of Tim now than we originally thought. It turns out that, as long as the surgeon was inside, he took out Tim's appendix. The surgeon explained this as a preventative measure to avoid another surgery after Tim's immune system is destroyed; we wonder, though, if it wasn't a way to pad an extra two or three grand to the surgeon's fee. Snip, snip. Add an appendectomy to the insurance bill.

The important news is this: Tim is reporting that there is an 80% chance that he will be released tomorrow following dialysis. There is one bodily system they want to make sure is working properly, and now that he is back on solid food, the true test can begin.

Through the blog, Tim wanted me to offer tremendous thanks to Dave Harris, director of the Raleigh Ringers, for the gift of a coconut attached to a balloon. It brought back so many fond memories for Tim. If you don't understand this, either, Tim suggests calling Dave Harris at 919...

The funny/stupid story of the day. With the removal of Tim's kidneys, he is no longer hooked up internally to the bladder. Until his plumbing is reconnected after the transplant, he does not have the capability of doing number one. (No this isn't the funny/stupid story -- it's prepping you for it.) Anyway, a nurse came in today and was taking his vitals and asked him, "Mr. Waugh, have you voided yet?" Mind you, this was a nurse. "Excuse me?" Tim said. "Have you voided yet?" "Do you mean to ask me, have I peed yet?" "Yes, sir." As Tim tells it, Tim's eyes were rolling and friend Earnest, one of the original three wize guyz at the surgery, was in hysterically uncontrollable laughter. I think Tim, always the educator, ultimately enlightened her.

That's the report today from Durham via north central Ohio. Unless Tim is not released tomorrow, I expect this will be the final on-the-spot report from this end ... and that further reports will be in first person directly from the horse's (insert preferred part of horse's anatomy here). Stay tuned for further updates as the process continues toward transplant.

-- Brian Burke

There's Something Wrong With This Picture...

...because Tim has been a model patient. He has done so well that, always subject to change, it is looking like he will go home on Monday after dialysis.

He's passing all of his tests with flying colors. His NG tube was removed this afternoon, and when I talked with him by phone, it was like talking with ... well ... Tim! His voice was more animated, and he feels that his physical movements are getting more animated, as well. He's not ready to dance a jig ... probably couldn't handle a waltz yet ... but improvement is evident.

The show-off bragged that he took five laps around the nursing unit's triangle by himself. That's 5/18 of a mile, the equivalent of walking slightly more than a quarter-mile oval running track around a football field. Earnest, the reporter left on site, said that Tim washed his face by himself (with the med lines and access ports in both of his hands/wrists, that's no mean feat!) and did something to his hair. I do have to report that he has had a few bad hair days.

He was given his first hospital food tonight - broth. A far cry from our plying him with Chicken Marsala the night before surgery, but a good first step. Solid foods should come tomorrow, and if, um, all systems are go, then he should be cleared for release.

It's hard to believe that the most major issue Tim faced over these last few days was that the surgery was delayed by three hours. Otherwise, the experience has been virtually fairy-tale perfect. If the transplant goes as well for both Tim and Ann, then we will all know that our prayers have been answered.

-- Brian Burke

Waugh Watch: Nephrectomy + Two Days

This was another good day on the Waugh Watch.

Ernie and I arrived at the hospital just as Tim's bed (with him on it) was being wheeled out of his room to take him for his first dialysis treatment. Mercifully, neither one of us suggested that the transporters run Tim's bed into the door frame to see if he was awake...

His first dialysis treatment was uneventful and short - lasted about 1.5 hours. Tomorrow's treatment will be three hours. I'm not sure if it will be a full treatment, with full treatment meaning that all of his blood is filtered. But Monday's treatment will definitely be.

Not long after he returned from dialysis, he had his first walk of the day - twice around the triangle. Each lap is 1/18th of a mile, for those of you who are keeping score. The second walk was a little shorter because housekeeping was polishing the floors. He sat up in a chair for longer periods today.

Tim is moving fairly well on his own. If he is sitting moderately upright in the hospital bed, he can use the rails to swing himself into a sitting position on the edge of the bed. But here is vintage Tim: Right before I left the hospital this evening, he had me call the nurse to help him get back into bed. By the time she got there, Tim was already in bed (with my only assist being to move the bed covers and untwist a couple of tubes/wires).

He still has the NG tube helping drain stomach secretions. Between that and the dryness in his mouth, it's still somewhat uncomfortable for him to speak more than a couple of sentences. Hopefully the tube will come out on Saturday as planned.

Through his Treo, Tim has been reading your comments to these updates. That's probably the best way to send your best wishes at this point.

Tomorrow is my return flight to Ohio. Tim's friend Earnest from WV will be arriving tomorrow afternoon and Ernie will return early next week. Between us, we'll continue daily reports until Tim is discharged.

--Brian Burke

On-The-Scene Reporters Checking In

Thanks to Jeanne for keeping you all updated on Tim's status. She was very thorough in sharing the information she received.

A current update on Tim as of our leaving the hospital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday:

Every medical person who has seen, poked, prodded, listened and otherwise visited Tim today has been pleased with his progress. The nephrologists were in this evening confirming that he would have his first short dialysis treatment tomorrow (Friday). Tim sat in a chair for about a hour and a half earlier today and, late afternoon, took a stroll around the "triangle", the shape of the medical wing he is in. A few catnaps were also in order.

His spirits are in wonderful shape and his sense of humor has not failed him. He is meticulous in his questioning of the medical personnel -- Tim was educationally prepared for this process.

For another day or so, he will have a tube in place that suctions out gastric juices, etc., to prevent nausea. This irritates his throat a little and causes his voice to fluctuate between raspy, raspier, and raspiest. As a result, bear with him a few more days before placing phone calls to him. On occasion (when we allow him to play with his Treo), he may respond to a text message.

From this point, since Tim's care will seemingly be more routine, we will probably update the blog once a day while he is at the hospital. Then Tim will take back the keys to the blog site until the transplant, which is still scheduled for February 6.

There you have it! Each of you now knows virtually as much as we do. Keep Tim's continued recovery, as well as his life-giving donor Ann, in your thoughts and prayers; send cards and well wishes via e-mail or to PO Box 1700, Bluefield WV 24701-1700 or simply post a comment below (if we give him his Treo, he can read them); and consider a contribution made out and mailed to Waugh Fund of First Church, PO Box 232, Wellington OH 44090.

--Brian and Ernie

One tough cookie!

Tim is up, has had a hearty breakfast, and has jogged around the hospital three times this morning. JUST KIDDING, of course!

Tim called me this morning, and it was great to hear his voice, raspy though it was! We spoke for a few quick minutes, then he handed the phone over to reporter Brian for a full report.

Much to our surprise, Tim not only remembers his "bite me!" comment of last night, but he also remembers the remark that prompted it! ("Run him into the wall and see if he wakes up.") It takes a tough psyche to remember a verbal exchange made through the haze of drugs!

Tim has had his first parade of doctors and interns pass through his room already...about 40 in all. Docs said they want Tim up and walking twice by the end of today, so Tim was rarin' to get started on the rehab early and took the first step of sitting upright in a chair. That made him a bit nauseous, though, so he was given meds to calm the nausea. The meds, of course, then made him drowsy, so it might be a little later today before he gets his first walk in. Jogging is definitely not on the calendar for today.

The 3 wise guys were able to talk with the nephrologist overseeing Tim's dialysis while he's at Duke. According to the neph, and at Tim's request, a Wednesday discharge (as opposed to earlier) looks likely. Tomorrow and Saturday, they will take Tim through short dialysis runs, then he'll have more dialysis on Monday and Wednesday of next week. Docs say that all is in order at the hospital in Princeton, and they are ready to receive him as a dialysis patient (3 times weekly) upon his return home.

Oh...it seems that the surgeon wasn't skilled enough to give Tim the 6-pack he had requested as long as they were messing with his torso. I guess he'll have to get it the hard way like everyone else. (That's where the jogging comes in!)

We know that many of you are eager to talk to Tim or to get a message to him via IM or texting, but he needs everyone to hold off until he's had a chance to regain some strength. To ensure he gets that chance, his phone isn't in his possession right now. We'll give the "all clear" when he's ready to receive messages. In the meantime, you're encouraged to post comments here for him to read later...all the greetings and good wishes will do him a world of good!

If you want to send a card, it's best not to send it to Duke, as it may not find him there. Cards can be sent instead to Tim at P.O. Box 1700, Bluefield WV 24701-1700.

On Tim's behalf, thank you for all your prayers and wonderful comments! Keep 'em coming!

--Jeanne

He speaks!

I just had the last call of the day...errrr, night... from a tired on-site reporter, accompanied by Ernie and Earnest from the Old Farts Club. They're all a bit punchy by now -- it's been a long day for them -- but they had good news!

Tim is (or was!) awake -- foggy, but awake -- and talking, though he won't remember any of it tomorrow. Brian was particularly happy to report that they saw him on the gurney as he was wheeled from the recovery room, and when one of the Old Farts said something smart-alecky as Tim went by, Tim-- through the drugs -- opened his eyes and said, "Bite me!" Yes sir, that's our Tim!

Once settled in his new hospital room, Tim insisted that the guys check under the bed covers to admire his flat belly. (The mothers among us will understand that completely!) When some discomfort appeared to be setting in, the guys took that as their cue to leave him to the nurses, and they've gone back to the hotel to get some much-needed rest. Updates will resume tomorrow. Keep those prayers going. Tim has a long road ahead of him, and your good thoughts sustain him through all of this.

--Jeanne

"Everything came out just fine"

"And everything went back in just fine, too." Twins excepted, of course!

Our reporter on the scene, Brian, reports that Tim has come out of surgery and is in recovery! Woohoo! The surgeon says everything was good and Tim tolerated the surgery very well. (Was there ever any doubt??) The kids came out fairly well, according to Brian, and the doc even took pictures!

Tim will be in recovery for 2-3 hours, then he'll be moved to a regular room. Estimated stay at Duke will be 5-7 days.

The roving reporter will call me once he's had a chance to see Tim later tonight, and we'll be sure to post an update here at that time.

--Jeanne

After a 2-hour delay...

...Tim was taken in to surgery this afternoon at 5:11 EST. The delay was caused by a prior surgery that went overtime, but the delivery of Boris and Natasha is finally underway. Get ready, kids...they're coming for you!

There will be no further updates until at least 8:00pm EST, so check back sometime after that. We'll have something here as soon as there's something to tell y'all!

--Jeanne Christopherson

EDIT: Newest information is that the operation began at 5:47 EST. While Tim was told that it can take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, the best estimate from one of the nurses is 4. So it'll most likely be after 10:00 EST before we can give an update, and it may be well beyond that. Don't worry...as soon as we know something, you'll know it, too!

--Jeanne

ONE DAY MORE!

from Les Miz - actually, THIS IS THE MOMENT (name that show?)

Today has arrived! After a nice evening at Macaroni Grill with three close and funny friends (the 3 wize guyz I think!) I'm sitting in a hotel room just after the anti-bacterial shower with some sticky pink liquid in a sponge that makes me surgery-ready!

We had a nice meal and animated conversation with lots of laughter. So much positive energy is coming out of these past few days as I go into this next step in life! I remind you - don't worry! Worry is the other side of good energy and I'm really and genuinely FINE!

Laugh a lot for me today! Play a round of cup game with someone (geez! I didn't say that!) I figure you might after the hints that I am getting from these 3 guys here as they're planning their post-operative post! Look for it abuot 5 or 6 pm right here! It sounds like it's a work of literary genius?

Grace and peace to you!
From Tim
and one last time from
Boris and Natasha
(who don't have a CLUE!) :-D

Support Tim with a generous donation

As the surgeries and a lifetime of post-operative care loom on the horizon, Tim will incur significant expense that will not be covered by health insurance. Co-pays, deductibles, and incidental expenses are a part of this, but looking forward, the medications he will be taking for life currently cost about $1000 per month and will only be covered for 3.5 years. The consultants at Duke suggested that Tim establish a 501c3 to help meet the burden of these significant expenses.

Through the graciousness of the church I pastor, I have been allowed to establish such a fund to support Tim’s medical needs, using our 501c3 status to allow for deductible contributions. I have established a separate bank account and am now in a position to ask you to offer your support for Tim through a tax-deductible contribution.

If you would like to make a contribution to the “Waugh Fund of First Church”, sponsored by First Congregational United Church of Christ in Wellington, Ohio, please send a check to the Waugh Fund of First Church, PO Box 232, Wellington, Ohio 44090. Unless you request otherwise, your canceled check and bank records will be your receipt. I will compile a list of the donors and be sure that Tim is aware of your generosity. He won’t be able to thank you all personally, but know that the outpouring of concern that has already taken place on his behalf is overwhelming to him.

Most importantly, keep Tim and Ann, his life-saving kidney donor, in your thoughts and prayers over the next couple of months as this process unfolds.

Please e-mail me directly at bdburke52@aol.com if there are any specific questions I can answer. If you have any questions about the authenticity of this request, know that Tim gave me the "keys" to post to his blog.

Thank you in advance for showing your appreciation of what Tim means to you through your generous contribution.

Brian Burke

An Humbling experience

Very special thanks to all of you who are thinking and praying for the upcoming events. It's about 3 1/2 days away as I write this and I'm curiously not afraid or filled with anxiety.

What I AM filled with is a great amount of appreciation that only grows as the days go by. The generosity of Brian and others on my "support team" of friends who have taken over several aspects of my life and care is humbling. Also a major part of my appreciation goes to Ann, whose generosity is amazingly overwhelming as one who is truly a life-giver.

I'm genuinely humbled and overwhelmed.

One of my greatest desires in becoming so public with all of these procedures and processes that are going to shortly be a part of my routine is to draw attention to the many sufferers of PKD. I think you would be amazed, as I am, to know of so many individuals who quietly deal with dialysis and transplants and immunosuppression challenges daily.

This is an amazingly prevalent disease that effects many people that you know, but would never notice or sense. The disease doesn't disfigure or cause an outward change. Often the only indication is a slightly enlarged stomach.

Take time to find out about the search for a cure that I hope is SO very close for many who are just now finding out that they have this disease. It's very devastating for those who may not realize that they have a family history of PKD, only to be told that they have a disease that literally nothing - no treatments - will reverse. I'm one of the very lucky ones who experienced PKD from my father's perspective and was able to study and explore options from my youth.

http://www.pkdcure.org/site/PageServer


Boris and Natasha are resting quietly....
...little do they know what's coming on Wednesday!

Tim & da twins!

INFORMATION

For those who have asked - the website says.....

Duke University Hospital
Erwin Road
Durham, NC 27710
(919) 684-8111
Patient Condition Information
(919) 684-2410


I know that I'll be in ICU after both surgeries and will most probably not be allowed flowers and items that can't be disinfected due to the immuno-supression involved. I'll covet your kind thoughts and prayers!

Again - and for sure - this will be the main source of information as anything is known! Tune in for updates! About 8 days left! :-D

If you choose to comment here [below] these comments are sent to my e-mail address.

Boris and Natasha
and that fat guy around us ;-)