Next week at this time we will be preparing to go to the hospital. Everything has been approved after many many many test. It is hard to believe that Victor turned out to be such a perfect match. We still have many more hurdles to get over, but things keep moving forward. Thanks for all your prayers and support so far.

We are still waiting. My brother-in-law, still has one test and we hope that is it. So far all news has been good and all the doctors have cleared him. So if all is approved we are looking at 2 to 3 weeks.

Waiting! We thought we would hear something on Tuesday from the Mayo, but they want one more doctor to review the case so now it looks like Friday! I guess no news is good news.

The rollercoaster ride continues.   On Monday we had started planning and preparing for dialysis because Chris's numbers  continue to slowly decline.  Then on Tuesday we found out that my brother-in-law's blood type was compatable, O positive! The whole family was blown away because we thought for sure Victor's type was B.  It will be surely be miracle if Victor is a match.  Next week Victor has his appointments at The Mayo Clinic to see if he could be a donor. So please keep Chris and Victor in your thoughts and prayers.

This week we have had a little relief, it is the first week in months that Chris, Christos or I have not had a doctor,s appointment. Life feels a little more normal. Chris does have to start his blood work for the Mayo this week, but that is a piece of cake compared to everything else he has been through. Just to let everyone know, Christos, my family, some great friends and I are going to do the National Kidney Foundation walk-a-thon this Sunday, if you want to join us or just donate just click on the link below. After clicking on the link click on join our team or click on the person on the bottom right corner if you want to donate. Thanks!!! http://nonprofit.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=996914&lis=1&kntae996914=2C9593BD07D244DFAB50249E0F2E6739&team=4935604

Today we found out that Chris's insurance approved his transplant.
This means he starts his four year wait for a deceased donor if we cannot find a live donor.

Thank you everyone for your support. Many of you had questions about donating and I will try and answer them the best I can. First the qualification to be a donor are very simple you must be under the age of 70, blood type A or O (positive or negative does not matter), in good health both mentally and physically. The next step would call be to call Mayo and talk to the donor center. You do not have to be a relative and with Chris disease it might be the best thing. Being donor is very easy and your hospital stay is only 24 hours. I do know a couple of people who have donated so I know they would not mind talking to anyone who is considering donating. 
The number to call to donate is 480-342-3163. I don't have the international number yet, but if you call that number they should be able to help you. Also if a translator is needed they will provide one for you. Chris's. Insurance will pay for the donor surgery if they are not a US citizen.
Thank you again and I if you have more questions please let me know.
Cheryl

March 10

• Dear Friends and Family,
  I am writing to you all to update you on what has been going on in our lives in the last couple of months.
  About 9 years ago Chris was diagnosed with a kidney disease called FSGS. He was very lucky because it was caught very early and my sister who works in the field referred us to a very progressive doctor. The doctor was able to get him into remission for the last 7 years. Last year at this time it was confirmed that Chris was out of remission. The doctor put him on some very powerful drugs to try and put him back into remission, but they did not work. In January Chris's GFR hit the magic number of 20, which is the number you need to qualify for a kidney transplant. We are very fortunate that we live in a city that has one of the top transplant hospitals in the world, The Mayo Clinic. Chris has spent many hours there getting tested and we found this Tuesday that he qualifies for a transplant. Yeah!
  As soon as Chris's insurance approves the transplant, Chris will be put on national donor list, which would put him on the list for a decease donor's kidney. The current wait time is at least 4 years. Even though there is great success with deceased organs, live donor offers a longer life and greater chance of a successful transplant. Personally I would love donate, but Chris will not except my kidney for many reason. The biggest one being Christos.
  So we thought we would share our story, hoping for your thoughts and prayers. But also if you every thought of being a donor we thought we could at least ask. Now a days the donor only spends one night in the hospital and can get back to work and their every day life very quickly. Of course there are tests that have to be run, but Chris's insurance and Mayo pick up the tab. His insurance even pays for the donor's plane ticket if needed and hotel stay. We realize that is a huge thing to ask anyone, but I know personally I would want to be given the chance to consider giving the gift of life to someone out there who might be in the same situation.
  If you have questions about anything please let me know and I will try and keep everyone up dated with the news as we receive it.
  
  We thank you for your thoughts and prayers,
  Cheryl, Chris, and Christos
  
  P.S. You can always be anonymous and call Mayo Clinic without us knowing.
  The number is 480-342-3163 and ask how you could be a donor for Chris.