Another Transplant. Another Miracle.

Hey! This is Kelsey filling in for my Mom. I'm going to be helping her out more often, but, she is not helping me with it today. So let's go ahead and get started! It's been a crazy couple of weeks!

On April 6th, Dad and Mom started training on home dialysis four days per week down in Peoria. They were there all day learning about dialysis. Their choice of words on how they felt was that their brains were "mush". I think they are smarter than they think! The training went on for 3 weeks, but, as they were going on week 3, the doctor in Cleveland called with some exciting news. He said that Mom needs the kidney transplant ASAP and then continued to tell her that she needed to be there (Cleveland) on the 26th to start the process. They will do the closing of the stoma and then let it heal for 3 or more weeks and then she will go to Wisconsin for the kidney transplant. We are so excited!

As of Sunday, Mom was admitted to Cleveland Clinic in preparation for surgery on Wednesday, April 29th. This surgery and admission to the hospital was especially hard for Mom because, no one could go with her with the COVID-19 going around but, we all know the one God who NEVER leaves us alone! He's been Faithful everyday, and He will be Faithful ALL the way!

I trust that you all are staying in your homes, and I encourage you to continue to do so! If you do go out, keep your distance, respect other people. You may not know their story. I know we may think we are strong and healthy or "how it won't ever get to us". Are we really all that proud? Do you really want to risk someones life just for your pleasure? I ask, PLEASE stay home. What is there to do you ask? Take a walk with your family, go on a bike ride, workout, clean your house, organize, tell your kids stories of your childhood, read a book, call up an old friend, re-learn some things, write a letter to someone, ect. Live in the moment. We will look back in a few months and think, "Wow, where did time go?! I could've gotten a lot more stuff done!" 

I encourage you all to pray, pray for our World, our Country, our President, our Leaders, Our Governors, our Mayors, our family's, our next generation, and lastly but most importantly yourself! We need God during these trying times. I know the God that I serve is able to keep us and protect us but, we must learn to TRUST Him. 

So I leave you with one of my favorite Bible verses. 

"Be still and know that I am God:" -Psalms 46:10

Be safe! Love and prayers! 

-Kelsey 

 Easter Sunday 2020

We took a walk down Main St. as a family

Taking a ride!

Some pie and a good time for Mom and Dad's Proposal Anniversary

Long Time Coming!

Hello again to all of my Family and Friends!! It has been a while since I've last posted. I hope everyone is doing well and is staying healthy. Well, let's jump right into this! 

Since I've last posted there has been a lot happening. I have gone into kidney failure and have had to start dialysis. I started dialysis in September of 2019. I have to go 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The dialysis center I go to is in Spring Valley.  I do hemodialysis so I have a port in my neck into my chest. I feel rough afterwards a lot of the time, so I rest most of the day.  I look forward to my "off" days since I feel better and have more energy! I am needing a kidney transplant now, and Cleveland said I was able to do it closer to home. I looked into doing it at Peoria, but was told by the surgeon that I was considered a high risk patient, so they gave me two options they felt were best to try. I went with University of Madison Wisconsin hospital.  Shane and I really liked the facility and the Coordinator, Team, and Transplant Doctors. I am looking to have my stoma taking down and my intestines reconnected at Cleveland, but with the coronavirus going around, it's postponed for right now.  The transplant stuff is all on hold until I have the surgery done.  

The kids are staying busy now days!

Kelsey has finished school and is working at the shop full time for Shane. She works at the front counter and then also cleans the interior of vehicles. Kelsey also just got her braces taken off in March.She has anxiously been waiting for them to come off. In 2019 she was able to buy the Camry from us. She does a good job at taking care of it! Kelsey also got the chance to go to Colorado with a group from church for a youth conference this past year.  It was her first time to fly.  Let me include that this girl is afraid of heights, but God helped her and she was able to enjoy it! She's ready to go back again this summer.

Kailey is in 10th grade and is a busy young lady! She has been babysitting all day Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and then on Thursday she works with a close friend of ours from church. They make homemade wooden signs.  They also do custom signs to however you would like it to say. You can visit their page on Facebook, it's called Once Upon A Craft. She also got her drivers licence on her birthday last October.  She enjoys driving here, there, and everywhere.  Whenever there is an errand to be done she is quick to offer.  She is becoming quite to cook in the kitchen. She really enjoys it, and so do we!

Matthew is in his first year of high school. He has been focusing on his school, and is doing a great job! He loves going to the shop and helping Shane out anytime he can. He has been working there at times during closing hours and on the weekend. Also, he has started to play the drums at church since last year and he loves it! He has been "playing" the drums since he was probably 7 or 8 years old. He is doing a great job! Matthew will getting his permit in June. Yikes! When did that all happen!  Gulp!  He got in braces off  last year and his smile looks great! 

The shop has been busy the past few months! In December they did a price change and it is going smoothly so far! We have 6 employees. We have been so blessed and God has been so good! If you would like to set up an appointment or have any questions about what they do you can message them on Facebook, email, or call them! 
Email: shineshopofprinceton@gmail.com
Phone Number: 815-872-4301

God has blessed me and my family! I am so very very thankful!  May the peace of God cover your homes today, and each day!!!  Thankful for the hope we have in Him! Love you all!

Thank you for all the love and prayers! 

- Jamie

Valentine's Banquet 2020

Kelsey's Senior Picture

Kailey 

June 2019

Matthew playing his drum set at home

Kelsey in Colorado

Kailey and Matthew

Fall Fest 2019

Christmas Day 2019

The kids

The kids in August of 2019

Supper at the shop 

March 2020

Fall of 2019

Mother's Day 2019

Easter 2019

Christmas Day 2019

January 2020

Kailey working on some projects for 

Once Upon A Craft

Behind the scenes at the 

Shine Shop!

Matthew and Shane 

Christmas Day 2019

Happy 2018

Here we are in 2018 already! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and praying  that 2018 will be a great year! There's much to be thankful for already starting the New Year off.  I woke up January 1with a fever, sore throat, body aches, and a major headache.  I was miserable and by the time Shane came home from the shop, he made a call to Cleveland Clinic.  They wanted me checked out by a doctor at the ER, so I got myself ready and we went.  We were there about 6 hours. There was labs drawn, an influenza test, IV fluids, and a bag of antibiotics. The instructions were for me to call my doctor in the next morning and schedule an appointment with him in the afternoon.  I ended up seeing him in the afternoon and had another nose swab for the influenza.  It came back negative, but he said you can still have it even though the test is negative.  With all my symptoms and the way I was feeling, I was admitted to the hospital to keep an eye on things. Thankfully I as able to go home within 2 days.  I'm feeling lots better,  still just trying to get my energy back.  I was praying that no one else in my family would get it, and thank the Lord for his protection, they did not get it. 

The kids had a fun time enjoying the snow.  They have gone sledding, shoveled at our house and the neighbors, made forts and had snow ball fights.  They have even enjoyed having a bowl of homemade snow cream. Right now the snow has melted quite a bit, but today the temperature has dropped and Mr. Winter has come again.  I did enjoy the warmth while it was here though.  

School has begun again for the kids.  That means back to routine again, but it's coming along.  I was ready to get back into routine, just not sure if they were;). We've set some goals for this year and it's fun to see us all working toward them, whether it's reading the Bible through, praying more, studying harder, and the list goes on.  Our Pastor has a quote he shares"the biggest room we live in is the room for improvement".

Shane's keeping busy with the shop. God is so good and has blessed us.  For the month of January, he's running a Wash and Wax special for $50.00.  That includes a hand wash, dry, vacuume, glass cleaned, tires cleaned and dressed, and a coat of wax.  A great deal!   Just wanted to throw it out there in case someone wants to take advantage of this special.  

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. Thanks for the love and prayers.  

Love, 

Jamie

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

What a busy time of the year.  The lights and decorations are up. The smell of baking in the air.  A few cookies were made. Shopping is about done. Enjoying listening to Christmas music.  The kids had their Christmas program for Sunday School and did a good job.  Looking forward to our Christmas Eve Service at 10 am.  The girls are singing in the choir.  Would love to have you join us.  Let's not, in the hustle and bustle, forget the true meaning.  What a gift He gave to us.  He came to live as man and take our sins away by dying on a cross.  His birth was supernatural and miraculous.  Don't miss the wonder of it all.  

I had a very special time with a very precious family.  I was able to meet my Donor Family.  I had an appointment in Cleveland and we took a different route so we could see them. We met them for lunch at Olive Garden. There were many emotions that day!  What a sweet family they are and very dear to my heart. His Mom, brother, sister, and her two children were there. I'm looking forward to seeing them again!  I can't wait!  Words can't express my gratitude to them for the decision they made for Gabe during a tragic time. 

The girls are getting over strep throat. Thankfully the rest of us didn't get it.  Lots of prayers, Lysol, and quarantining them.  It's hard not taking care of them like you want to, but know it's best so you don't get it. They had high temps of 102.2 and the other was 101.9. Thankfully they are on the mend.  

Matthew and Kelsey have braces.  They just got them on in December.  The first couple days it took a lot of getting used to. Lots of soup, applesauce, pudding, and Tylenol.  The second day of having them was their youth progressive dinner.  That was not fun, but at least there was something at each house for them to have.  Kailey is needing them also but trying to work it out with insurance.  

Shane's business is going well.  With the Peru shop closed, it gives him the chance to fully focus on Princeton's.  He has been doing a few more new things and trying some new products.  To God be all the glory for what He is doing.  If you live in the area, stop in and give him a try! You can't beat a car wash, vacuum, Windows inside and out, and tires dressed for $20.00. 

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy spending time with your family and friends, making  memories and treasuring those of the past, eating some homemade goodies and then again some more. Celebrate the season of Christmas, but don't forget the true meaning.   No matter what gifts you get or give, He gave the greatest gift to you. 

My precious Donors Family ❤️

Matthew fishing at the end of November!

From our Family to Yours-MERRY CHRISTMAS 

A little bit of everything

First off, happy 21 years of marriage to the best man in the world! He has stuck with me through the thick and thin.  He's been there in the good times and bad times.  We've prayed together, laughed, cried, and held each other tight through the storms.  Just to think, we are just about the age of our parents when we got married. I am so thankful for you, babe and there's no one else I'd want to have with journey with, but you. I love you so much!  Thank you for loving me the way you do!

I left you hanging after surgery. Sorry.  Obviously all is well thankfully.  They admitted me that Monday night and hydrated me since my creatinine is high.  I was to be the first case Tuesday morning, but was bumped to second case.  The transplant Dr's came in explaining that usually the cause of my issue is due to rejection. I rested as much as I could before going down since I was fighting a migraine.  Transport came to get me and I was teasing him about singing to me when I became super nauseous.  I got sick, but felt immediately better.  When I got down to OR, they huddled and I prayed with them, then before I was put into sleepy land, they had to put the tube down my nose since I had thrown up, they didn't want me to aspirate.  I tried getting them to do it once I was out, but couldn't.  With a few tears n lots of swallows with no water, the tube made it down.  I had an answer to prayer.  Thankfully there was no rejection and they were able to just revise the stoma. He said that adhesions were pulling it down.  I was discharged on Friday and had a follow up appt on Monday.  All looked good, so I was able to come home. We go back for a check up on November 13.  

This Saturday is a very special day for me.  I am meeting my donors family.  Lots of emotions are going through me and I'm sure with them also.  I'm nervous and excited.  They are a sweet family.  We've talked on the phone and text each other.  I can't wait! Please keep us in prayer as I'm sure it will be a bittersweet day. 

Thankful to God for all He has done!  I am blessed beyond measure! I can't thank you for all your love and prayers for me. God has brought me this far and I know He will continue to carry me through.  I just need to keep my faith in Him.  He knows what's best for me and knows my tomorrow.  He is so Faithful.  

Love, 

Jamie

It's been way too long!!

Wow!  Summer has flown bye! Lots has happened since my last post in June. Not sure where to begin with this?! We'll start off with the kids.  They all went to church camp this summer.  It was the first time to have all 3 of them go to camp.  It was quiet around the house and very different with them not here. Kelsey is enjoying driving. She helps clean at the shop for Shane, Kailey babysits, and Matthew is mowing and cleaning.  I think that we are nearing the end of mowing season though. They are doing their schooling and trying to stay ahead of schedule a bit.  

In August Shane had the opportunity to do a ceramic coating on 2 of his uncle's vehicles in Alabama. We decided to make it a family trip. We visited with the family and his aunts and uncles while there.  Also was able to do some site seeing. We went to the Helen Keller museum which was very interesting.  Went to the University of Alabama and got to see Leo and Una. They are some massive animals! They didn't do much, but lie around.  It was pretty hot. We went to one area and walked a lil downtown. One evening we watched a water show, where the water fountain lite up and danced to the music.  That was neat.  Before it started we were able to get some pictures all together as a family.  Glad we were able to make the trip as a family and it not be one to Cleveland.   

I was asked to share my story with a group of people at OSF Hospital in Peoria.  It was very moving to hear the donor's story and then also one recipient besides myself.  There was about 100 people there that day.  Yes, you can say I was a bit nervous, but I'm thankful to share my story and give God the Glory for all He has done.  Grateful for the team of doctors he has placed in my life. 

Talking about Cleveland, I am getting ready to face another surgery here soon.  On October 10, they are going to go in and revise the stoma and do a surgery on my stomach. Not sure how long we'll be out there.  Just praying that all goes well and there's no complications or setbacks. Yes, even though this is another big surgery for me, I can't complain.  God has been do good to me and I feel so blessed. I'm so thankful to you for all your love, prayers, and support! 

Me speaking 

Una 

Leo

2 Year Transplant Anniversary Already!!!

Can you believe it's been 2 years already? Time has flown by for certain!  I'm trying to make each day count.  I owe so much to God and to my donor's family.  God has been so good to me!  I am beyond blessed!  As the saying goes-better than I deserve.  I can still recall getting my phone call a few minutes after 10:30 AM from Julie, stating they had a match for me. I remember how my heart ached for my donor's family knowing they had lost a loved one and was grieving somewhere.  Wanting to comfort them with a hug.  I remember the emotions. The anticipation of whether or not it was the moment, or if it would be a dry run.  Waking up in ICU and seeing my family.  Noticing a difference in my body upon waking up from surgery.  Being able to eat my first meal.  Getting off TPN. And the list goes on.  I don't want to go back to the old Jamie.  God has given me a second chance at life and I want to live it to my fullest.  I feel like I see things in life differently now.  I don't want to take life for granted. Enjoy the simple things and cherish moments more. There's some bumps, but they're bumps and nothing too big for God.  You take things one day at a time and realize bad days come but good days are on their way. Thank you for all your love, prayers, and support for myself and family along my journey.  Please keep my donor's family in your prayer also, especially this week. May God surround them with comfort and peace.  It's not easy losing a loved one, especially a child. 

With Love, 

Jamie 

When I was 88 pounds. 

A week ago.  To God be the glory!!