A "REAL" Haircut!

Our HANDSOME little Man! Yesterday, I took him to my hair dresser to get a "real" haircut. How cute he is!!!!

ACP Conference

Our agency sends staff to the ACP conference each year. This year it was in Grand Island. I haven't been since before Gunnar was born. My mom came down to watch him this year so I could go. We had a blast but got snowed in for an extra day. Thank goodness we were able to leave on Halloween to get back to our kiddos.

Pumpkin Patch/Halloween

I don't know how well you can see it but Gunnar was a Buffalo this year for Halloween and boy was he a cutie!Every year we go to Hazel's Pumpking Patch. I love it soooo much! I think we've started a tradition with my mother coming along too. This is the second year in a row we've put something funny on our face and took pictures. We have so much fun!

Update on Nate!

Nate had his second appointment today with the kidney specialist. It went very well and the doctor is very positive and optimistic. Nate's current kidney level is at 23%. If you remember from the previous post, Nate can be put on the transplant list when his kidney function is at 20% or lower and dialysis and/or transplant will start after his kidney function is at 10% or lower. We are going to meet with the transplant center in Denver within the next couple of months to get things started and line-up possible donor options. It's important to remember that a transplant could be years away we are just making preparations. Nate's other lab levels were "perfect" according to the doctor. Nate is anemic which is normal with PKD and we may need to treat that soon. We again feel very positive and will take each step as it comes. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

Family Camp 2009

Every year we take a trip to Wyoming for Family Camp. This year was special because the Hawaii crew was able to make it. Fun times as always!

Bronco Games!

I had the opportunity to attend 2 pre-season Bronco games this year. One with Nate and one for work. All I can say is I LOVE football! Can't wait to do it again!

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Nate, and I would like to share with you some information about polycystic kidney disease. Polycystic kidney disease is a kidney disorder in which multiple cysts form on the kidneys, causing them to become enlarged.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) affects 600,000 Americans and 12.5 million children and adults, worldwide. There is no treatment or cure, but there is HOPE. (PKD Foundation Web-Site)

Nate was diagnosed about 10 years ago but just recently visited with a specialist. This is the information we know so far:

1. Nate does have the disease.

2. It's a slow progressing disease that will eventually cause kidney failure.

3. We are unaware at this time what Nate's current kidney function is, however, we are working closely with the doctor to determine this. Nate will have an appointment within the next couple weeks to figure this out. But at this time we do NOT think he's at kidney failure.

4. The most important thing we can do right now is to keep Nate's high blood pressure under control, which we are doing through medication.

5. Nate will eventually need a kidney transplant.

6. You can be put onto the transplant list when your kidney function is at 20% or lower.

7. A transplant will need to occur once kidney function is at 10% or lower.

NOW: The above might sound a little scary BUT things are OK!!! Nate can live just fine dealing with PKD. He has no restrictions and we will continue to monitor things closely until it's time to move forward to dialysis and/or the transplant. We choose to take a positive approach and just handle this, as it's just something that has to be done. We felt it might be easier to update everyone using the blog but it's not necessary to panic.

If your interested in reading more about PKD you may visit the PKD Foundation website at

www.pkdcure.org

We will keep you posted!!!