The Poster

Here is a picture of the poster that the students from the church all signed for Alan. We taped it over the picture that was in his room. We also had a poster for Jessica but I unfortunately didn’t get a pic of it.

Alan & Jessica

Could there be a better picture? Here are Alan and Jessica the day after surgery. God is so good. They were both doing well and Jessica was well enough to walk down to her dad’s room for a picture.

Alan & Carole

Here is a pic of Alan and Carole the day after surgery. Alan said that he is feeling great.

Jessica & Scott

Here is a pic of Jessica and Scott. As you know Jessica is Alan and Carole’s daughter and she was the donor. In this picture you can see the shirt that says she is a kidney donor and she gave the gift of love. Scott is her boyfriend of two and half years and flew in from Nevada to be with Jessica this week. Scott is an electrician and has been working out in Nevada. Jessica is doing extremely well and may be able to go home tomorrow.

From Alan

Hey all!!!! Its Alan here. I can’t believe how well I feel. I have the normal after surgery pain but I got some good meds to take care of that. The creatinin level which is the major kidney function they look at has dropped dramatically. Its level before the surgery was 3.9 and 24 hours later was down to 1.6. The normal level is 1.4 so I am very close to being normal. OK, no smart remarks with that one. I had great visit with Herstel, Billy, Vicki and Pam. Jessica and I want to pass our thanks to the youth group for their best wishes posters. We have them on the walls in our rooms. Jessica is doing well and may be discharged tomorrow. I also want to thank the youth for their t-shirt and Connie for hers. I can’t wait to wear them. Your prayers have really been answered. No doubt in my mind that the recovery so far is a testament to that. Love to all, Alan

“Let’s get this show on the road!”

 

This was Alan’s comment yesterday as he waited patiently on Jessica’s surgery: “Let’s get this show on the road.” He was really in high spirits. As you can imagine Alan was excited that they day had finally arrived. Here is a picture of him right before he went back to receive a kidney that had belonged to his daughter Jessica. God is so good and what an example of love! Thanks Jessica for your willingness to give your father such an incredible gift!

From Alan!

Hello all!

This message comes from Alan through Carole and Jennifer.  Alan wanted to let all of you know that all is good in Birmingham!  Both surgeries were successful.  In fact, Alan’s new kidney started functioning immediately!  Both Alan and Jessica were awake this evening and although in some pain were talking with us and feeling relieved to be on the road to recovery.  Jessica was able to walk down the hallway to Alan’s room.  Those few minutes with each other were a great comfort to them and to us!  Alan and Jessica were resting this evening and we pray for a calm and healing night for both of them.  God continues to keep them in his care and all is good!

We will continue to update the journal on the website (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/alanklink).

Latest Update

Both Jessica and Alan are done with their surgeries and are doing very well. Jessica went in for surgery around 7:30 this morning and was out sometime around 10:30 and was in recovery. The doctors said everything looked good with her kidney and they went ahead and performed Alan’s surgery. Alan’s doctor came out around 12:45 and said that Alan did very well and is recovering. Carole, Jennifer (Alan & Carole’s niece), and Scott (Jessica’s boyfriend) all went to grab lunch with Herstel quickly before coming back to see Jessica right after recovery. Of course Alan was going to take quite a bit longer and they would only be able to see Alan for a few minutes once he was out of recovery. Jessica should be in a private room very soon today and Alan will not be in a private room for roughly 24 hours.

Everyone is doing well and just keep them in your prayers!

The Day Before

Alan sent an email early this morning at 7:00am. He says that they are getting ready to head to the hospital. They have a final day of testing and preparation ahead. Jessica’s surgery is scheduled for 7:00am tomorrow morning. Alan’s surgery should start about two hours later. Please be in prayer for this day. Pray for the doctor’s, the nurses, the caretakers, for Carole, and of course for Alan and Jessica. Please be in prayer for Alan’s relative’s and friend’s who are traveling to be with him and his family. Alan wants everyone to know that they are so thankful for everyone’s prayers and support.

Alan closes with this:

“I can’t wait to be on the road to recovery. This has been such a slow decline and I can’t say that I have really felt good in years. I know that it will take some time for the new kidney to filter all the stuff that has built up.”

“In God we trust!!!”

Yes Alan, we do!

Transplant DATE!

So, Alan sent an email to inform us that a date has been set. Praise God! The transplant is set for July 28th. Jessica and Alan have to be at UAB (University of Alabama Birmingham) on the 27th and the surgery will be done on the 28th. Jessica should only be in the hospital 3 days if all goes as planned. Alan will be in Birmingham for about 4 weeks. The only hold up could be with Alan’s insurance company , but he doesn’t really see that happening.  

Please continue to pray for both Alan and Jessica as the surgeries near. Also pray for Carole as she will be their strength for the next several weeks. Also pray for each and every doctor and nurse that will be involved in care for Alan and Jessica. We thank you Lord for all that you ‘ve done and are doing! Remember that we need to just “trust in the Lord with all of our hearts!” (Proverbs 3:5)