Visted with Thursa the other night at Mom's.  She looks great, and although she was hurting when she laughed, she was laughing and in great spirits.  Things seem to be going REALLY well this time!  Her donor was definitely sent from heaven!  ; )  She and her family (hers and all of us extended family) appreciate all your love and prayers! 

Mom & Leland & I stayed until Thursa woke up last night (about 7 pm), and she looked really good. Her color was good, she was smiling (well, as much as you can after surgery) and responding to Leland's teasing (stuck her toungue out at him.) Last time, you could tell she was really uncomfortable. This time, she was very relaxed and happy ... night and day. Hopefully that is a really good sign. I'm still cautiously optimistic and knocking on wood, etc., but it looks like it should be a keeper. (Knock on wood again.) She had also put out alot of fluid, and we were so estatic. Leland just called, and her fluids are doing great and so is she.

We met the donor, and he is doing really well.

Love,

Luck

Just got this email from Lucky, and Leland called with the same info!  Sounds like things are going well! 

Hello everyone.  GOOD NEWS!  Thursa's transplant went well. . . .kidney pinked right up, there on the table, and she seems to be recovering well!    Haven't heard anything since, but will keep you posted!  Thanks for all your love and prayers!

Hey!  Sooo sorry I haven't posted here in awhile.  Good news!  Thursa is going in for another transplant on June 5.  She is WAY ready, she says, and although she's a little nervous seems very positive about this!   The doctors say this match is better than the last and should do really well.  They have been taking all the precautions and making sure that her blood and tissues match this donor well enough that there won't be a repeat of last time!  Nevertheless, if you will keep her in your prayers, we would appreciate it!  Sure do love all of you and appreciate your interest and concern for Thursa and the rest of us!  Have a wonderful day!

Hi!  Spent part of the weekend in Paulden with Thursa and her family.  She looks great and is doing well.  She has a great attitude about all that has happened.  The doctors are keeping close track of her, testing her blood and such to make sure that she is healing and that her next transplant will go well!  They are giving her time to heal and tracking her dialysis and everything else with care.  As of now, there are 2 donors that are matches, one good and one great, so when here body is healed and ready, a donor kidney is available!  Thanks again for your love, support and prayers!   

Hello again!  Thursa is doing fairly well.  She was at Mayo Clinic yesterday for a visit and they said there are 2 donors testing, now, for a match.  That is good news. As far as the bank account I was telling you about, it is set up at Wells Fargo under her name, Thursa Worden.  to deposit into it, you  need to go into a bank and tell the teller you want to deposit into a SPECIAL account under her name and they should be able to help you.  I asked about doing this online, and they said no.   Anyway!  Hope you are all well and thanks again for your love and support! 

Hi!  Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted.  Thursa was home doing well, but that changed on Friday, April 6.  She was having a hard time breathing, so they called 911 and took her to the hospital in the ambulance.  On the way, she had a seizure and then had another one in the hospital.  They did a CAT scan and found water on the brain and in her lungs.  her blood pressure was also sky high, and they said they might have to put her to sleep. Doesn't sound too good, but a cousin of ours. . . a nurse. . . said that is is not uncommon with people on dialysis if they drink too much water or don't do dialysis often enough and that putting them to sleep just helps the body to relax and do its job the way it needs to, to get rid of the extra water.  Anyway, extra dialysis session at the hospital took off ALOT of water and IV medication brought her blood pressure down.  She has been there all this time as they have been trying to find pills that will replace the IV and do the same thing.  I talked with her this morning and they have figured that out, and she is heading home today.  She sounded good, has a good attitude.  Their ward and John's work have been really supportive and as her Relief Society President said, "falling over themselves trying to help!"  Isn't it wonderful to have friends and family to support us in our time of need.   Dialysis seems to be going well, and Thursa has an appointment at Mayo Clinic on Thursday.  We'll let you know how things are going as we hear of her progress.  Again, sorry about the delay, here!

Also, John & Thursa's insurance is 80/20 and with all the complications and such, their 20% is building quickly.  If any of you would like to help them, an account has been set up in their  name for that purpose.  I don't have that information yet, but their Bishop is suppose to get that to me, soon.  Check back in the next couple of days, and I will have that posted!

Thanks again, for all your love and concern.  We know that the Lord is looking out for Thursa and her family, evidences of that are everywhere! 

Hey everyone, Thursa is actually still in the Valley, but should be home by tomorrow. . .if all goes as planned.  She is still hurting quite a bit, but that is to be expected after 3 surgeries in 4 days.  According to Mom, the doctors have put Thursa's name at the top of the cadaver (sp.) doner list, and there have been quite a few people who are offering to be tested to donate.  We can definitely see the hand of the Lord in all of this!  Brings us to tears on a continual basis. 

Talked with Mom (Loris) last night and could hear Thursa in the background.  Seems to be holding up ok.  Haven't actually talked with her, yet!  Mom says they are hoping to have her home by tomorrow (March 26) and she will start dialysis in Prescott.  She will continue that until a new donor can be found.  John went home for some time with the kids and took them to see her today.  Mom and Leland Jr. have been with her, so that she's not alone.  Thanks again for your love and concern!

Well. . . here's the latest.  Thursa's doctors are hoping to find her a new live donor within the next 4 weeks.  If anyone you know has O blood, and would be willing to donate a kidney, they would be eternally grateful.  There is an extensive testing process to see if there is a match, but the donor doesn't have to pay for any of that, or the surgeries.  There are risks, of course, but if you are interested  or know someone who would be, give me a call. . . .928-288-3677 or 928-587-4624. . . .and I will make sure that you get the information as to what is entailed in the process and how to proceed if you are still interested! 

As far as Thursa's health, right now, they have done a blood transfusion to clear the toxins from her system and they are tracking her until her blood has stablized.  She will be receiving Hemo Dialysis until a new donor can be found.  They are hoping to have her home by Wednesday Night,  March 28.  We will continue to keep you updated on this blog, and if you have any questions or comments, please use the comment section, here, and we will make sure to forward your thoughts or answer your questions. 

Thanks again for your love, concern and prayers for Thursa.  We know that the Lord is blessing her, and will continue to do so! 

Well, not so good news on the tests.  The kidney didn't survive the toxins, and they are going to have to remove it and Thursa will have to start over in finding a new donor.  Please keep her in your prayers!

Hey guys!  Thursa was doing lots better last night.  They have run several tests on her kidney to see if it will survive the onslaught of toxins that it went through when the cysts on her kidneys burst, so hopefully today we will have more good news on that.  Mom said she was thrilled with Thursa's progress and that she is looking ever so much better!  When I hear more from John, I will be sure and post it!  Have a wonderful day, and thanks so much for your love, concern and prayers for Thursa!

Thursa Transplant

Wednesday - March 21, 2012

Thursa had her kidney transplant yesterday (Tuesday), had her huge kidneys removed (one went from her lungs to her pelvis and was 13 lbs, the other was 9 lbs.) and the surgery went well, but today it turned. The doctors didn't know it, but some of the cysts (polycystic kidneys ... many cysts) had burst when the kidneys were removed, and she became filled with toxins. It put the new kidney into shock, and it didn't kill it, but almost. (They are hoping they can save it.) Also, the tube that was in her throat somehow put fluid into her lungs, and it is causing problems as well, and they are draining it. Thursa is now on dialysis to remove the fluid and toxins and will be in ICU for now. She can possibly get a new kidney eventually, but she is a hard match, with 83% antibodies, which means 83% of the population cannot donate for her, besides being O blood type, which can only receive O.

Anyway, not great news and prayers are appreciated.

Today:  Thursa is doing better, breathing on her own again.  Had a blessing and any signs of Pneumonia that were present before, are gone.  She's out of critical condition, but not all the way there, yet.  She's sitting up and walking some, so things are WAY better than they were yesterday.  What an amazing blessing!  Thank goodness for the Power of the Priesthood and the love of a Heavenly Father. 

We'll keep Thursa's progress posted on this blog. . . .if you'd like to give Thursa & John a message, enter that in the COMMENT area, and we'll make sure that they get that!  Thanks so much for all your love and prayers.  We know that they are heard and the Lord is blessing Thursa!