So 2nd life begins....

September 19, 2009
-Had been dealing with mixed emotions and frustrations about all this sickness bidness. All the cares of this life were taking a toll on my poor husband and I could see it in his face. Kept praying, kept watching, just kept on walking minute by minute, day by day, doing my best to serve Him and be the Keeper. Finally I remember going to bed that night and of course checking out FB, read a bunch of encouraging posts from all you lovely people out there and decided, 'You know what? I am going to just LET IT ALL GO!'...

September 20, 2009
-Sunday morning, woke up to a gorgeous sunny Seattle Fall day. Air wasn't as crisp as it is now, but still chilly;) Church went awesome! New location, people hungry for the Word, and saints truly worshiping. Something was a little different though. Wasn't worrying over things like bills, kid's education, dialysis. No, actually enjoyed His presence without that nagging bit.
-Went home and kissed husband goodbye before he went to work. Just a nice leisurely Sunday afternoon with my daughters. Bud went with Aunty and cousins to a birthday party.
-It's about 10pm-ish and the phone rings. Its my nephew calling to say they were dropping Bud off home now. They're near Enchanted Village. Alright, great! The girls, "ohhh, we were having such a nice QUIET evening" haha... seriously though, they need a break from the electricity.
-Phone rang again at 10:25pm, Blocked Call it says. Do I answer? Usually not. But blocked calls could mean my sister in law in Hawaii, OR friend from church. Fine, I'll answer.
"This is the University of Washington, may I speak with Wendy Cacho?"
"Yes this is her"
"Hi, my name is Jennifer and we're calling to let you know that we have a possible kidney for you"
"Are you serious? Is this a joke?"
"Um, no?!" (and she repeats her prior statement)"Will you be able to get here tonight?"
"WILL I???!!!!"
And it is at this time when I tell both girls, who eavesdrop on EVERY phone call in this house, that "It's the UW and they have a kidney for me!!"
Both girls shout, jump, dance and scream. It is a memory that is branded in my mind forever.
"Yes I'll be there within the hour! Thank YOUUUU!"
More jumping and screaming ensues. Oh no, no van. No ride! Wait a minute, Aunty's coming over right? Gotta call the Aunty!!!!
"Hi Ate Sheila! Guess what?! UW called and they have kidney, but I don't have a ride, can you take me and let the kids stay at your house till Mike comes home?"
More screaming ensues. Made phone calls to the Seagraves and my mom.
-11pm Kids are settled at cousins and Sheila and I are on the freeway just praising God and talking about His goodness. Because this is not just my victory, this is hers and yours also!
-Arrival at the hospital, butterflies in my tummy, got the entire heavens listening to my one meager plea and I'm sure the Lord is just smiling away. The Seagraves arrived before I did and what a sight to see! Heart swelled up with so much love for God's people. They are there to stay till husband gets home and can come. Wasn't kidding when I told them that they're my 2nd set of parents.
"Pastor, you weren't kidding when you said that healing would come soon." This was a few weeks before that he had said that to me. Another person arrives in emergency room, and he is the recipient of the other kidney from the same donor. Pastor helps them to their room and comes back with a funny tale. The other patient's wife seems to think that I am the Seagraves' daughter. SWEET!
- Doctors from the transplant team come in and out of the room with news, or no news. Sister Seagraves and I dose off a bit and can't stop talking about His goodness. Dose off, talk, dose off, talk. This went on for 4 hours.
-Husband arrives, Seagraves go home to get rest and we spend the early morning of September 21, 2009, sleeping. That's right. Sleeping.

September 21, 2009
- Doc arrives with some news. The kidney isn't perfect but its in good shape. The donor had diabetes but was managed very well. Husband looks very worried. Surgeon comes in with more details. He says that the entire team is divided as to whether or not I should take it. I tell them to give me more time to talk to my husband and family. Call the Seagraves at about 8:30am and explain.
"Well, Sister Wendy, you could look at it this way. That kidney is going into a Holy Ghost filled body!"
That did it for me. But what about Mike?
"Pastor could you please talk to my husband? I don't want to do anything until I know he's 100% behind me in this decision."
Thank the good Lord for the Seagraves.
-Surgeon comes back and I tell him YES, I'll do it! New problem. The OR is booked until the early afternoon. Its okay I say, I'll wait.
-Its afternoon and Sister Seagraves can tell that I'm getting nervous. So we have one last prayer meeting of sorts before they wheel me down to never-never land. I must mention, that although I write with great urgency, the peace of the Lord was there. It was as tangible as the air that I was breathing.
-Arriving into recovery was tricky. And you know when you're coming out of anesthesia? You say the FUNNIEST THINGS! And when you get the chance you can ask the Seagraves or my husband what it was I was saying.

September 22, 2009
-Recovery is going well. Being pumped with anti-rejection medication, what they call the "BIG GUNS". My immune system is vulnerable and I'm a little nervous. The Lord knows and He hears.
-I finally notice how HUGE the incision is. Now I understand what C-section must be like. UGH lol.
-Team of doctors show up 2 times a day and one of them gives me the 'Rockstar' status, whatever that means;)
-Can't keep still. Gotta move move move. Start to take walks around the floor at 3am in the morning. The nurses are getting used to my routine apparently because I hear one of them say, "There she goes!" hehe.
-Ballooned to 180 pounds mostly fluid and I look..like..a...HOUSE! Seagraves stop by before they leave for General Conference that evening. Isn't it wonderful how God worked out the timing for them to be here when the call came??? That's is ALL God.

September 23, 2009
-YAY i can eat solids today! But all I can keep down is chicken noodle soup. Dietitians tell me I can slowly start eating normal again soon. When's soon? My guts are slowly waking up from surgery they tell me, so don't over do it. At this point I'm already nauseated.
-Starting to notice side effects of medication. Burning hands and feet. Hot flashes. Oh did I mention the cathetar? Well I won't go that indepth but yes I had one for 2 days.
-Now this may sound gross to you FYI, but kidney patients who are on dialysis, don't urinate. Oh some do, but its not good urine. So the last time I ever did was back in July of 2007. So don't ever take your body for granted people! Anyhoo, the kidney was working! And when they took it (cathetar) out, I felt like a toddler in potty training. Seriously.
-In laws pay a visit. And father in law is a happy camper. He worships God right in front of us and I am blessed that he is blessed.

September 24, 2009
-It's Lizzy's 10th birthday. And I'm in the hospital. Crying ensues. But that child has got a heart of GOLD. She's not phased at all.
"But Mom, this is the best present ever! You have a kidney!" Are you crying yet? Because I am.
Don't worry though, Grandma took care of everything! YAY FOR GRANDMA!!
-Doc arrives and I can go home tomorrow! Everything looks good. Blood work looks great! Praise God!

September 25, 2009
-All the tubes and needles come out including a pickline that was in my neck. Don't mean to complain, but going to the bathroom every 20 minutes is not conductive for good sleep. Eyes are bloodshot and I still look and feel like a house. But the fluid is leaving no doubt about it.
-Get educated about the medications I'll be taking. Tremors?? Mood swings? WEIGHT GAIN?!!! Oh Lord give me strength!
-Family arrives and children are ecstatic. Husband is hovering like Mother Goose and I'm enjoying every minute of it Thank you very much. These are my caretakers. And they are the BEST EVER;)

Today
-Moving faster now. Still need help getting up and stuff. Today is my 5th clinical appointment since surgery and am getting used to the routine. Don't have to go to the bathroom as much because most of the fluid is gone. Actually all of it. I notice my skin tone and notice that its not so bland anymore. The side effects of the medication are taking its toll and I cry at the drop of a hat. Poor hat. Tremors are in full force and I can't hold anything without thinking will I drop this hehe.
-At least I can type THANK GOD!
-So Wendy, what have you learned throughout this entire ordeal? I've learned that when you take God at His word, and believe and act on His promises, expect the unexpected.

Sorry this was a long read. Hopefully, you've been encouraged. I always like to say, that this wasn't just my victory. This was yours too. Bye!!! for now.