I don’t like to wait.  As Randi would be the first to tell you, I’m terrible at dealing with uncertainty.  I can handle just about anything—as long as I know what to expect.  So, for the moment, I’m feeling the stress as I wait to find out if and when I’ll be having a kidney transplant in the next few months.

As many of you know, someone has very generously offered to donate a kidney to me.  I’ve spent the past few weeks undergoing one medical test after another in preparation for surgery.  Now it’s time for my potential donor and me to be tested to see if she’s a “match” (whether or not her kidney is compatible for me).  She and I will travel together to Indianapolis on February 11th for testing, education classes, and to meet with members of the transplant team.  If she is a match, I hope to learn more about when the surgery could be scheduled.

 Not only is the waiting affecting my stress level, it’s also adversely affecting my work with GCM.  Since September, I’ve been working on a marketing campaign to get myself into churches all over the country.  I’ve been amazed at the response—I’ve heard from approximately twenty pastors and church leaders who are interested in my coming to speak to their congregations, from places as varied as Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Montana, New Jersey, and Hawaii!  Unfortunately, though, most of these contacts haven’t yet resulted in a firm date.  Pastors have been understandably reluctant to schedule me for a sermon or other speaking engagement, knowing that I might have to cancel if I find out that I’ll be on a surgery table.

    So now I feel like things are on hold, which is really frustrating for me.  Please keep the prayers coming.  I appreciate your prayers, as well as your financial support, so much during this time.