I have another First Mate update, and unfortunately this time the news is not so good. The friend who had generously volunteered to donate a kidney has received notice that her medical tests show she will be unable to do so. Her own kidney function falls below the thresholds needed to qualify as a donor. She had no idea that there was any problem, and it's not a serious issue for her; in fact, she probably won't require any treatment.

I didn't realize how much I was counting on this transplant emotionally until I got this call on Tuesday. The First Mate had spent all day Monday at the hospital getting an angiogram done -- which came back okay -- and we knew our friend had been at the transplant center at the same time, working on her own evaluation. Up until that time, whenever my wife had felt poorly or had little energy, we would tell ourselves, "In a couple of months, the transplant will be done and it will all get better." After the call, that emotional crutch was kicked out from underneath us, and now we're looking at a five-year wait for a cadaver donor. Needless to say, we're pretty devastated, although we are hopeful that somehow this will all work out.

Thanks for all of your support in the past; I always share comments and e-mail on these posts with the First Mate, who very much appreciates all the kind thoughts and prayers expressed. I'll keep you up to date on any further developments.

While you're thinking about this, keep Julie from Fidler On The Roof in your thoughts as well. She's had some bad news about a family member, although things seem to be improving.

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