Thanksgiving

I had a great Thanksgiving yesterday (and Monday) with my family; eating, talking, and playing Apples to Apples. I am so thankful for my family and all of the support that they have shown me over the years. Even though there have been some tough times in my life I have been able to pull though because of the strength God has given me and because of my family. Love you guys : )

The Straw that Broke the Camels Back

Well, my sister (Amber) and Dad got a call today from USC telling them that the transplant is being postponed yet again. For some reason they never call me.

The Reason Why: After the transplant there were going to be about five days where the surgeons who operated on us would be on vacation, but there would be another surgeon there. The operating surgeons didn't like that idea.

I won't tell you when the possible surgery will be because who knows what will happen from now until then.

This has been a troublesome day for my family because my Dad and Mom and already taken off work for last week's scheduled date, and my sister (Amber) had been working it out with school. As for myself, I am frustrated because I don't want to live this quality of life anymore. I had so much hope that life was going to get better in a couple of days (after recovery of course), but my hope has continually been taken away by the changing surgery dates.

The only hope I have left is in something God told me last Christmas.

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Another Date Set

So the new date for the transplant is November 30th. This means that I get to spend Thanksgiving at home with my family, which I am very grateful for.

Dad, Me, and Amber (my sister)

Mom 

Slice

The following pictures are my sister's leg that had the possible infection that they cut open. The first picture is with a cloth stuck inside it to absorb the gross stuff, and the second one is with the bandage out of it. She was released from the hospital on Wednesday night and is healing up nicely at home.

There still hasn't been another set date for the surgeries, but when I know I will let all of you know. (A shout out to those of you outside of the United States, I think it's so cool when I see that there have been people viewing my blog from countries like Chile, Australia, Germany, Canada, and much more.)

What's Life Without a Couple of Hurdles

So the surgery has been postponed or put on hold for the moment. My sister (Amber) has a possible infection on her leg from what we think started out as a bug bite. She was admitted to the same hospital I am in now so they can open it up and take a culture to see if it is in fact an infection. Please keep her in your prayers.

Marinating

Just like you prep a steak by marinating it before you cook it, I am getting prepped before surgery on Wednesday. They are trying to tune me up before they go in. I have been learning a lot more over the past couple of days, which has been helpful. I know that my surgery will be about 8 hours long, while my Dad's and my sisters will be 4 hours long each; and they start on all of us at the same time.

I have been having my ups and downs emotionally, but over all I am doing well. Tuesday will be interesting, knowing that the next morning I will be in surgery.

I will keep you updated as often as I can.

Gentlemen Start Your Engines

THE DATE IS SET

NOVEMBER 16th, 7:30am

Donors: Michael Bowers (Father) and Amber Bowers (Sister)

Recipient: Bree Bowers

Care Giver: Wendy Bowers (Mother)

Nerve Racking

So, Amber and Dad have been cleared and we are waiting on insurance to clear all three surgeries. The surgeries could possibly take place on November 16th, but we'll see. It's nerve racking now knowing that they date is coming closer and knowing what actually is going to happen. I think I am starting to psych myself out about the surgery and the recovery period.