Way past due on providing an update! I am sitting in the same room as when I started writing this blog, but with a much better view of what was to come. Can you believe its been 12 years!? We can't, sometimes it feels like yesterday and other times it seems like it never happened at all. Michael is doing AMAZING! No meds of any kind and blessed to have been part of the study by Dr. Leventhal and North Western Memorial Hospital. This year we found out that the clinical trial was closed and we were so sadden to hear that. Michael, as well as the other participants, were given a gift that was priceless and it would have been so beautiful to see others experience the same. We aren't sure why the trial ended aside from hearing that the living donor kidney program was terminated due to slow pace of phase 3 study enrollment but we pray that it will be picked up again, sometime in the near future. It was and IS Life Changing! The freedom to live a "normal" life is not appreciated enough. Normal is fantastic and we will NEVER accept "normal" as ordinary but as REMARKABLE! What happens now that the trial has ended? Well, Michael will continue to see a nephrologist here in Tampa, as needed. Michael had been getting his blood-work reviewed by the trial team every 6 months for the past 12 years, it feels a bit unsteady (at least for me) to see him cut loose but we have faith in God and we are in His control. He brought us this far and we are so grateful for His faithfulness.
Link to Government Trial Page: Click to review information on the kidney trial.
Each day is filled with gratefulness to all those that helped Michael through this, his brother Joe who donated his kidney, is now a grandfather of 4 of the cutest grand babies ever! Joe is still a High School teacher in Canada and has started writing Christian Children's Books, they are absolutely precious and full of the goodness of God. You can purchase one of his books for the child in your life here: Joe Caruso Stories
I have to give a resounding thank-you to Joe's wife, Heather, my favorite Canadian Sister in Law!! She was supportive and took care of the love of her life right after he donated his kidney, she was a quiet hero who came with her own fears and prayers and did it all with grace, strength, and a beautiful smile that she shared with all. We are truly blessed by her and she will always be our shining star!
Michael's parents, who live in Canada are doing good. Michael's step-dad, Harry, happen to come across the study while reading the newspaper in 2011 and Michael will always be grateful to him. He was the catalyst that got this all started and I am sad to say he has been fighting dementia for the last 3 years, his memories have been stolen from him and he no longer recognizes family but he is being cared for and loved just like he cared for those he loved. He and Michael's mom, Anne, cared for Michael right after his kidney transplant in Chicago. Michael was 100% dependent on them for all his needs and we will never forget the sacrifices they endured to help him through his healing. They were warriors and still are.
We'd also like to thank all our family and friends - their love, support and especially the laughs. Being part of this world, is being part of one another's lives - one can't exist without the other and we are always stronger together. We love each and every one of your beautiful faces!
And finally but not last, we have a new family member! His name is Macho Capone and he is SPOILED - he is so loving and cuddly and such an incredibly sweet pup! He is a Havapoo being that he is half Havanese and Poodle. Macho fits perfectly to this mutt of a family we have. :)
We thank you for taking the time to read about Michael's journey, I pray that it gives you hope - assurance that you or your family member are not alone in whatever struggle you find yourself. We all have our struggles to bear, some more than others but at the end, struggles teach us to be better humans, more compassionate, understanding and to appreciate every minute we have on this beautiful globe we call home.
