Joseph is heading to 3rd grade!

We made it Charleston for Joseph's biopsy. He had a really hard time taking the premeds before going into the cath lab. We are going to try something different next time. He's never had anxiety like this before! :(

But, the day ended on a very positive note. Amanda called Joseph's rejection episode "resolved." That was music to our ears! His heart pressures look great, his blood work was awesome, his rejection level is ZERO. The best news came for Joseph when they told him he could head back to school! :) He is so excited! We are packing his book bag as we speak! This will be the first day of school for him! We are going to get a haircut and last minute supplies that he needs. We are looking forward to this because he wants it so bad.

After the cath, we walked over to a research lab with Dr. Hsia. He introduced us to a team of Dr.s and scientists who have been doing research on cardiomyopathy. Joseph's very heart is in this research lab and many of them have been studying it. His story inspires them to keep the research going and why they are there. Their discoveries and developments could potentially benefit Joseph personally. Isn't that an amazing thought? They told us a little about some things they are working on right now that could make early detection of rejection a simple and promising thing! We are looking forward to hearing more about that.

Thank you for checking in on us. We are happy to be home and are looking forward to sharing some third grade stories with you!

Heart hugs,
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail

Not Yet...

We had labs drawn Friday week...our normal (wonderful) "Mrs. Suzie" wasn't there when Joseph went in. The blood they drew clotted and we didn't find out for almost a week that they couldn't use it! Ugghhh!!! Stephen rushed him to the lab at McLeod so we'd get the results before this weekend in hopes he could go back to school tomorrow. Well, as it turns out, it didn't matter about the initial delay or the rush for retesting because Joseph's immune system still isn't strong enough to mix and mingle in a public setting. So, no public school for him just yet. I know I sound impatient. Please don't think I am complaining. I certainly would never want to rush him into something his body is not ready for...I just want him to be a "normal" kid and get to do all the things that are important to him. School is definitely at the top of his list! Too bad this didn't happen in April when he has spring fever and can't wait to get out of school! :) Ironic, isn't it...he wants to go... and Abby wants to stay. :)

So, his next biopsy is this Friday, Sept. 11th. Please start praying for good results for Joseph. Please join us in praying for a "circle of protection" around him, so that when he does go back to school he can stay as healthy as possible. The seasonal flu and the swine flu do have us a bit concerned. Pray for his donor family as well. I know they would love to know that a part of their loved one is doing well and still beats life into the heart of a child.

Thanks for checking in on us. I hope to be reporting good news on Friday!
Love to you all,
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail