It’s been about six months since my last entry…boy have there been some great things happening! Primarily, Kaitlyn continues to succeed at everything she does- bike riding, eating, laughing, gymnastics, water play, drawing…all the fun things a child should do! And had she been born a healthy child with no kidney disorder, these special activities may have gone unnoticed as wonderful milestones. Kaitlyn loves to be active, and not much will slow her down lately, even scraped knees from running.

Next, Kaitlyn has had no major kidney related setbacks- that V-8 engine of mine (as her doctor lovingly calls it) is doing its job, and she is taking great care of it as well! Within the last year or so, some of her medications have decreased, as she has grown…and grown she has!!! In the last six months, Kaitlyn has grown like a weed (almost half a foot!) and her feet have almost doubled in size since last year! She continues to amaze her doctors every visit.

Finally, we are on our way to two of Kaitlyn’s biggest milestones since transplant. One is her one-year anniversary! On July 25, 2008, Kaitlyn will have her one-year anniversary of her kidney transplant. We are so excited, and so proud of all her hard work in staying well since transplant. I will admit, we went today for a check-up at our transplant center, and as we walked down the hallway, all the familiar things slowly started to surface- the beautiful gardens in the front of the hospital where we could sit, and take a breather from the PICU, the McDonalds (yes, a McDonalds in the hospital!) where we would have late night dinner runs, the gift shop where we all got our first pair of Croc shoes, and even the windows overlooking the foyer, where we watched and waited the day of transplant for the surgery to begin and end. We’ve come a LONG way in one year. When we visited with our doctors, they were so happy to see Kaitlyn, and how well she is doing. We also, coincidentally, got to meet with two different families, both there on their first appointment for transplant. We spoke with them, and it felt so good to be able to share such a success story with them. Both were girls, 19 and 21, and when they saw Kaitlyn walk in like she owned the place, they were shocked that even a baby can get a transplant! We were told that although they were scared, our story gave them hope, and that they couldn’t wait for their day to come. Last year, around this time, I remember calling a couple that was on their one-year anniversary of kidney transplant, and she was where I am now. I couldn’t fathom what it would feel like to be over the kidney hell we had been in for almost a year. Now, hear we are, giving similar advice to other families. It felt wonderful.

On a side note, we had one of Kaitlyn’s first big fundraisers this past June. A golf outing in her honor, at a local golf course near our home. The turnout was incredible, and overwhelming! On the hottest day of the year (and it sure was!) nearly a hundred golfers turned out for a great day, including breakfast, lunch and an awards ceremony with fantastic prizes! Kaitlyn got a special golf outfit, and her own set of clubs to show everyone how it’s done, and as we rode around the course in a chauffeured golf cart, I couldn’t help but have tears in my eyes as all these wonderfully generous men and women stopped their game, came over to say hello, and tell Kaitlyn how great she looks. It was a great day, and we thank all the volunteers, donors, participants and well-wishers that made it all possible!

And last, but certainly not least, Kaitlyn’s last milestone is becoming a big sister! This November, Kaitlyn will welcome a little sister into her life. She is very excited, and going to be an exceptionally wonderful big sister. Who would have thought a year ago that we would be here now? We are thrilled, overjoyed, ecstatic and all other words meaning, “super duper happy” at the way this year has gone. We thank everyone for their continued support and love in our journey, and for their loving donations, thoughts and prayers in our times of need. God Bless you all, and we will return with more news soon!