Hi everyone, it has been a long time since I have updated anything, that must mean everything is good. Well for Bridge it has been great, she goes to Boston now once a month, and the best part is that Bridgette doesn't need surgery for her back, she just has to wear a brace for scolosis about 18-20 hours a day until she is done growing. All the kidney numbers are perfect and she isn't anemic at this point. Our good friend Tracey Metzger was chair for the Gala this spring for the National Kidney Foundation. It was held at the Desmond in Albany. Tracey raised over $77,000 for the Kidney Foundation of Northeastern NY. This money will be used for education and preventive treatments that millions of people need. Thanks again Tracey!! So Bridge starts 9th grade on Sept. 1st. She will be attending Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, VT. She is so excited. Matthew on the other hand starts school the 8th and isn't looking forward to leaving his carefree days of wakeboarding, manhunts, fireworks, (what's a 2nd or 3rd degree burn when you're 10), or his favorite thing now, driving the boat. We have had another heck of a summer. Last July as you all know Bridge was diagnosed July 4th weekend. Well this July 4th weekend we were looking forward to being with the whole family at the lake relaxing, well that didn't happen, we ended up at the doctor's with a mouth infection that turned into pulling a worm out of Matthew's butt the next morning. Yes you heard that right, Matthew contracted a worm. The doctor wasn't to concerned, he told me that Matthew would only need a antiparasitic medication for 5 days and he would be all good. The doctor also said that 18 million, yes million people a year get rondworm, but only 2% in the USA. What??? Later that day after I started him on the medication, he then developed chest pain and the feeling that he couldn't get enough air. I was like" really, really Matthew, are you sure???" We ended up going to Albany Memorial, the closest hospital to the lake and they ended up not really being to concerned about the worm that I took out of his body, (12" long) I brought this with us, they were more concerned with his face blowing up like a ballon. They did a cat scan of his head and neck and found out he had cellulitsis of the face. To treat this immediately, they stated that he would have to have iv antibotics which they couldn't do there, they would have to transfer him to Albany Medical Center. Mark and I just looked at each other and said, "REALLY, are you sure?" We couldn't believe this was happening again. Anyway, Matthew and mommy took an ambulance ride to the hospital while daddy followed. Matthew ended up staying 24 hours and then released home on medication. 2 weeks later came the burns, but we are all good now............. Everyone has a story I know, but come on, could ours just end up a different way, like maybe winning the lottery and setting up our family and friends for life. I think that is a much better story don't you! Hope everyone has had a fantastic summer, isn't it crazy how it goes so much faster now.. :) Megan

Hi everyone if you saw the broadcast on Channel 13 tonight, just remember that I had a camera in front of me with big bright light!! I just want to clarify that the kidneys sit above the bladder and reflux happens when the kidneys empty into the bladder and then the bladder sends the urine back up into the kidneys. I know I am a nurse, but nurse's get nervous when there is a camera. For those of you who did not see the broadcast, you can catch it on www.wnyt.com and look for story about uncle saving niece's life, pretty cool. Megan

Hi, Bridge is continuing to do well. She has been in school full time since last Tuesday and loving it. She is tolerating the brace well, about 21 hours a day now. We have been doing a lot of yoga at home, and she actually looks forward to it. We are very fortunate enough to share our amazing story about Bridgette and Paul with channel 13. We meet with Benita Zahn and her team at my mom's house Tuesday the 11th. The National Kidney Foundation set-up this great opportunity for us to hopefully give some incite, hope our just plan awareness of how many people out there suffer from kidney disease. Maybe if it doesn't inspire someone to give their kidney, maybe it will inspire people to sign up for organ donation in general. We have some other amazing news going on. We are going to Hawaii in June through 'The Make A Wish Foundation'. Bridgette was approached in dialysis in Albany about a week after she learned of her illness, and they asked us if Bridge would like a wish. Mark and I kind of were upset about being approached and couldn't wrap our brain around the thought of it, so we put it off for a good while. Finally we came to terms with it and realized this was not about us and our feelings, but about Bridge's, so we asked Bridgette if she could have anything in the world, meet anyone, go anywhere, what would she want and she responded" I just want to be with my brother and swim somewhere warm". That was truly her wish. Finally after months of thinking about what to do, she asked if she could ask for a luau and maybe swim with the dolphins. We let Make A Wish know and they came back with you got your wish!!!!! We are all so excited. We have been reading about Hawaiian culture and the different foods we will try, but the best part is that we will be all together in the warm sunshine, swimming and not having to "worry about a thing" as Bob Marley would say. Thanks again for all the love and support, I kept my promise, I am updating more even though I am back at the hospital and driving a lot, but I love being back!! Take care, Megan

Hi everyone, once again it has been a long time since I have written anything, I am sorry. There is always something going on which I am sure is true in everyone lives. Bridge has been doing remarkable well. She has had some more challenges but continues to strive forward with a positive attitude. Bridgette just recently got fitted for a scoliosis brace that she will have to wear until she stops growing. She has to wear this brace 18-23 hours a day. It has only been 2 weeks but she is up to 20 hours. We go back to Boston mid May to see if the brace is working correctly or if she needs surgery to help assist with the brace.(That is not happening, I have started taking her to yoga and practicing strength and spine exericses at home, so to prevent the surgery) We recently just went to Virginia Beach for spring break. Some of Mark's family lives there so we stayed with them. The weather was nice and warm and we took lots of walks and went to the beach twice. Bridge unfortunately had to go to the hospital 3x for blood work due to her WBC's and ANC levels being extremely low, 0.9 and 0.52. She needed a shot in the belly everyday until levels came back up to normal. The challenge with not only getting her mind set on receiving another shot in the belly was the fact that the insurance wanted a co-pay of $3300 for the medication. I think the hardest part, other than watching your child suffer is fighting with the insurance companies. It is a full time job. Bridge started school again this week. This has been her 3rd day so far, hopefully this time she will be able to finish out her last year at the Mountain School. I finished work at the clinic just before we left for VA and now I start back at the hospital in Bennington this Friday. When am I going to win the lottery???? I would like everyone to know that we will be walking for the Kidney Foundation on Sunday June 6th, in Albany. I know mom and Colleen, and I believe Paul will be volunteering. We will also be attending the Gala at the Desmond on May 27th for the Kidney Foundation. Bridge has one more time inspired someone and that someone is Tracy Metzger, she is the chair for this event. I also believe that my Uncle Craig is on the committee. We are all so very excited to continue to receive all the love and support from everyone. On a side note, I was deep cleaning Bridge's room today, closets, under bed, draws, etc. It took me about 5 hours. I was so deeply touched by all the gifts and cards and words of encouragement to her. I just want everyone one to know that you are all special and truly our in our hearts. Thank you for everything each and everyone of you has done for our family. I promise to update more. XO Megan

Hi everyone, it has been so long. I haven't written because there really has been nothing to write about because Bridge has been great. All her levels have been wonderful and her spirits have been great. Bridge has been going to the doctor twice a week and now has graduated to going to Albany once a week and then Boston the following week. The doctors have been so impressed with her progress that they let her start going back to school last week. We of course got 4', yes I said 4' of snow so she really only went 3 days last week and then went today where I promptly got the call that she was tired and then I got the call that she was hysterical. I was at work and couldn't find Mark so my bbf picked her up and brought her to the clinic. I immediately saw that she was shivering and not her self. I checked her temp and she was 101.9. I immediately called Boston where they said that possibly it could be a rejection.
Statistics show that if you were to have a kidney rejection it usually happens in the first 6 months and I guess our nightmare is coming true. I waited for Boston to call us back and of course it was way to long for me so I called them several times and finally at 5:30 they called back. We took Bridge to Bennington where they drew blood 3x and had her give her urine and then a chest xray. Her kidney levels looked good but her hemoglobin and hemocrit are very low. She has a fever even with Tylenol on board. Her chest xray was normal, but they have no idea why her h/h is low and why she has right sided pain where her new kidney is. Bennington was in contact with Boston the entire time and they felt that she was ok at this time to go home, since she is so immuno compromised, meaning low white blood cell count, meaning she is more susceptible to getting an infection, so go home where she will actually be healthier, safer. We have another appointment to check on her this Wed, if her blood cultures come back + then most likely she will be admitted to Boston. Please everyone pray extra hard. Bridge is so strong and does not cry wolf, so the fact that she has pain where her kidney is and has a fever and has a low h/h it is very scary. Mark an I of course can not sleep. We are besides ourselves once again. It is 1:15am and hopefully we'll sleep soon.

Hi everyone, it has been a long time since I have updated the blog, I am so sorry but I am back to work and I have had no spare time. I am working back at the Carlos Otis Clinic up at Stratton as well as driving to Boston every Friday with Bridge. We have been going to Albany on Mondays and Boston on Fridays. Bridge has been doing remarkably well. Bridgette gets her blood drawn and urine checked at these appointments and what use to be a nightmare and huge anxiety for Bridgette is now becoming common. The medications which she needs to take for the rest of her life are getting easier also. She takes about 9 pills in the morning and 5 at night. We check her weight, blood pressure, heart rate and temp every morning at the same time. If she gains or losses 2 pounds in a 24 hour period then we have to call Boston. Boston also lets us know if after the her check if she needs her medications adjusted. It is a detailed process that is becoming just part of our everyday life now. Bridgette still can't go back to school yet, so she is having tutoring T/W/Th at home. It is a love hate relationship with this, she loves learning but hates being away from her friends, hopefully come the end of April she will be able to go back. I hopefully will also be able to return to work at the hospital in April, I miss all you guys!!! Thank you to everyone who helped raise money for Bridge at the hospital. That was huge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Matthew is playing basketball this winter and loving it. He is also back to skiing and snowboarding. I cringe every time he is out due to the fact that he loves the terraine parks, especially the rales. I remind him every time he is out, that I don't want to see him as a patient in the clinic, he just laughs. My mom has been helping out tons this winter with Bridgette so Mark and I can both work. We can't just leave Bridge like we use to anymore. We can't say going to the grocery store be back in an hour. Someone needs to be with her now, just in case, but hopefully that will also change come April. Hope everyone is having a good new year!! Thanks again for the continued love and support, it means so much to all of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!