The Countdown Has Begun!

Hello All! Welcome to the Olroyd/Vaughn Transplant Blog. I want to keep everyone informed on the latest information regarding Doug and Dan as we near the transplant date, March 24th and after surgery during their recovery. It's hard to even think that there are only 8 days left before surgery day! We, the Olroyd family and Vaughn family, would like to thank everyone for your generosity, support and prayers that we have received over the past few weeks. It has been simply amazing! Two small words...THANK YOU...do not seem like enough.

Last Monday Doug and I were at Barnes-Jewish Hospital completing the pre-op testing and meeting with the transplant nephrology team, which are the physicians that will follow Doug after surgery. We were supposed to meet with our transplant surgeon but in the world of deceased donor transplants you never know when one will occur and while we were at the hospital our surgeon was in surgery, as a family in their time of loss decided to donate their loved ones organs to save others lives. It never ceases to amaze me the power of organ donation!!! All of Doug's tests looked great and while we were meeting with the transplant nephrologist a comment was made on the fact that Doug was getting an excellent kidney. The physician was looking at the cross-match blood work between Doug and Dan and said that if he didn't know any better he would think that they could be brothers. I laughed and told the doctor that Dan's wife, Allison and I have always said they were like brothers, they way they talk and act, no wonder they ended up to be close friends.

Dan will have his pre-op testing and will meet with his transplant surgeon on Tuesday, March 16th. Doug and I had the pleasure of meeting his surgeon on the day we were there. I was very impressed with his surgeon so I will assure you that Dan will be in good hands!

Many people have asked about Doug and Dan's recovery. It is estimated that Doug will be in the hospital for 5-7 days and Dan for 3-5 days. We are asking for NO visitors during this time except for immediate family only. Doug will instantly be started on immune-suppressant medications as well as anti-rejection drugs therefore leaving him at risk to catch anything and everything that is going around. He will be in the ICU for two days for observation then he will be moved to the renal floor. Although, Dan will not be on any specific medicines, except for pain medicine, he will need time to recover and we want to respect his privacy. I am sure that once the two boys are up and walking around, which will occur the day of surgery or the next, they will want to visit each other. I can only imagine what this reunion will be like knowing that Doug will have a little part of Dan living in him. The visit will be allowed and a welcomed sight to see. They even have Xbox 'play dates' planned for when they are released from the hospital. :) On another note about their hospital stay, although live plants are beautiful we ask that you do not send them to Doug as they will not allowed in his room, but for Dan send away!

When Doug arrives home we ask that you call should you want to come visit him. I am sure he will welcome the company but we have to take every precaution to make sure that he stays as healthy as possible. Doug's recovery is expected to be anywhere from 6-12 weeks. Dan will be staying in St. Louis for approximately 15 days to recover and to have follow-up visits with the transplant center. I ask that should you want to visit Dan please reach out to him or Allison directly. Dan and his family will then travel back to their home in Normal, IL to continue his recovery.

As March 24th draws near we find ourselves nervous, scared, hopeful and optimistic. Doug and I can't say enough that we are so very blessed to have a friend like Dan in our lives. We look forward to sharing many happy transplant anniversaries together. I will continue to update as things progress. In the meantime, our families ask that you continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers during our journey.