Here is a quick update to let you know what has been going on with Brent.  His aHUS has gone into remission, indicated by several different lab tests.  This is a huge praise, and a step toward healing.  Recent lab tests have shown an elevated liver function tests, so please pray that these go down on their own and isn't indicative of something more serious.  We have gotten a few of the big Iowa tests back and they look good.  We are waiting for a few more results and they will help us and the doctors know how to proceed with Brent's care. 

Brent has successfully "stuck" himself for two days in a row now for dialysis and he admits it is not nearly as bad as he thought it would be.  He will start dialyzing himself at home on Friday and start back to work next week.  Please pray for endurance as he goes back to work.

On another note, when Brent was in the hospital in the fall, he read a book called A Hole In Our Gospel.  It is a great book and I recommend it.  The book describes the plight of those in third world countries and our call as Christians to serve them.  It also describes the poor healthcare in those countries and how many are dying from preventable and treatable diseases.  He felt the desparity between the healthcare he was receiving, at one of the best hospitals in the country, in comparison to that which was discussed in the book.  From this, came to the dream for bp4tb.  Brent works at a company that makes tuberculosis testing instruments and he was reading about the millions in Africa that die because they aren't diagnosed with TB.  Please visit our website:   www.bp4tb.com that furthur explains our dream.  We are partnering with a woman from our church who has become a dear friend, Cricket Barrazato.  She has started a non-profit called God's Economy with African partners who will be receiving this TB instrument. 

Another way you can help with this dream is this Saturday from 11 - 8, Panda Express at Towson Town Center is giving 20% of every meal to God's Economy.  Thanks for all your love and support!

We met with our hematologist last week.....as I said in the previous post, we have two of the genetic tests back and they are both normal.  The best case scenario seems to be if there was a genetic mutation that was localized in the kidneys, because then if the kidneys were replaced the disease would never come back.  This test has not come back, yet, though. 

The great news we received from him was the aHUS looks like it is in remission.  The platelets are normal and the red blood counts are fairly good.  There is also a blood test called haptoglobin which indicates if the red blood cells are being broken down that was completely normal, too.

Unfortunately, Brent's liver function tests were all elevated.   They had gone up a little bit when he was in the hospital back in April, but they were even  higher this month.  The doctor is doing some more blood tests to see if he could find out why they had gone up, but obviously this is a prayer request since Brent had a liver transplant 9 years ago.  Our hematologist wanted us to see Brent's liver doctor, Dr.  Herlong (who Brent has been seeing for 16 years) but Dr. Herlong wants us to switch to another heptologist who can better manage Brent since he is so complicated. 

Please pray for Brent's liver tests to go back to normal.  He is getting another blood test next week. 

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)   What a tremendous claim Paul makes in this verse!  He does not say, "We know that is some things," "most things," or even "joyful" things" but "ALL things."  This promise spans from the very smallest detail of life to the most important, and from the most humbling of daily tasks to God's greatest works of grace performed during a crisis.                   Streams in the Desert

Brent has continued to feel really well with a lot more energy than a month ago.  We just got back from Williamsburg for the weekend, where we said goodbye to his brother and family who are headed back to Ecuador.    The nurses started using Brent' fistula last week and he will start to learn how to access his own fistula next week.  This involves sticking two needles the size of a small nail into the blood vessel in his arm.  Brent is feeling a bit anxious about doing this, so please pray for that.

We found out last week that 2 of the genetic mutation tests were normal.  We are awaiting the results of about five more (these are the Iowa tests).  I guess that in about 30% of the people with aHUS, all of the genetic mutation tests are normal.  We should hear the results back in the next few weeks.    We have started thinking more about the possibility of a kidney transplant in the future.  Unfortunately, our insurance has told us they will not cover a transplant at Hopkins, so we are in the middle of an appeal process.  Please pray that the insurance company would see how important it is for Brent to have his transplant in the hospital where all his healthcare team is. 

The blood pressure has been doing much better, and has been pretty well under control for the last few weeks.  Thank you for all those helping us mow our lawn, watch our kids for all the different appointments, and for all the continued encouraging notes and emails.  If you haven't already, please check out Brent's website:  http://www.bp4tb.com/.  Thanks!