We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in the UK, obviously, but today we’re celebrating anyway, because as well as being Thanksgiving, today is also the day we got the results back from Terry’s latest round of blood tests.
This something we go through four times per year – something everyone with a transplant has to go through at regular intervals, in order to make sure everything’s still working the way it should. I don’t generally write about these tests here, because they’ve become part of our lives, but they’re something we have to live with – that particular brand of hell that is waiting for the results of medical tests to confirm to you that your life isn’t about to be torn apart once more.
That fear, of course, isn’t just a four-times-per-year thing, either. It’s something we live with every single day in life, and will have to live with forever, barring medical miracles. Had those tests come back today saying there was something wrong, there would’ve been no sunshine holiday for us, no happy Christmas: our lives would have, quite literally, changed overnight. We know this because it’s happened before.
So it’s not an easy thing to go through, this waiting. No matter how certain you are that everything’s OK, it’s hard to silence the “what ifs?” that whisper to you late at night that your life might once again be about to change.
It isn’t, though. The results that came back today were the best they’ve ever been – probably due to the fact that Terry’s worked hard these past few months to lose some weight and get fit. He’s probably healthier now than he’s been in years, and that’s quite an achievement when you consider that he’s a transplant recipient. The doctor described him as “the poster boy for transplants”. God, you all really want a new kidney now, don’t you?
So today I am thankful. I’m thankful that our lives get to remain the same. And, of course, I’m thankful to John, Terry’s brother and kidney donor, for saving them.
I am so glad to hear that everyone's happy and healthy. And I'm so jealous that you're going to be somewhere warm and sunny soon!
<abbr>Amanda Nicole´s last blog post..perfect for serving poisoned cookies on</abbr>
Just so glad you both got great news!
Hi Sister
I wish I had some of that chocolate cake you made for mum last weekend, it sounded great! 
Fantastic news!
<abbr>Mags´s last blog post..More HDR</abbr>
Aww that brought a tear to my eye
Ahh, you really deserve it! Love this post, it's along the lines of one of my favourite quotations: We often think about what we're missing, but never about what we have. It's a good season to stop for a moment and be thankful for all the things we have, even though life is difficult. I wish you all the best!
Nina
<abbr>Nina´s last blog post..3 – 1 = 2</abbr>
Hey
Congratulations you guys. Good to hear that everything is going well and Terry is keeping healthy.
Have fun on Holiday, so jealous.
x
We will make you even more jealous if I managed to get Amber's mobile conected to the blog, it will mean any picture the phone takes will be uploaded to a new blog post, imagin the fun
Good news all round. I'm thankful too.
<abbr>Tracey´s last blog post..Thursday night</abbr>
Aaaaw that is terrific news and I am really happy for you guys. (I admit to lurking on your blog and I rarely comment) Good health is something that you can be truly thankful for. So I am glad Terry's results are the best they've ever been
<abbr>Kat´s last blog post..Oh My God We're All Gonna Die!!!</abbr>
Aww, congratulations you guys! My little cousin is currently waiting for a new kidney – so best wishes to all those out there who have received transplants, and all those still waiting. Good luck!
Good luck to your cousin Steph! I know the wait can be terrible but a year or so after the transplant the wait will seem like a distant memory.
That is GREAT news!
<abbr>Kristabella´s last blog post..Happy Baconsgiving!</abbr>
Cheers Terry and Amber!
Best. Entry. Ever.
I love you, Red. I'm glad you guys are so happy.
S