February 9, 2018
Hello to all,
This is long overdue and I apologize. We are home with only bi-weekly visits to Portland for needed checkups. I am able to do my weekly labs in Grants Pass. Results from my first biopsy showed that there are no signs of rejection - huge relief! My kidney team is extremely pleased with my progress; from day one my kidney has been working 100% and I plan on keeping it that way.
It is time that I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone for all of your positive thoughts and prayers and also for your generous donations. This support has been the key to my recovery, I believe. I plan on taking the very best care of myself, which in turn will be taking care of my new kidney as well. I will keep you all informed of our progress.
To be continued... for now, Matt and I want to sincerely thank you all again for your continued support and for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
PEACE ✌
February 6, 2018
Hello hello. Matt and Rachelle's friend, Cinthia, posting an update. First, thank you all so very much. This has been an incredible experience for any friend, to help another with such a process. And the gift itself... it is tremendous.
So Rachelle has been very busy post-transplant. There were, and still are, lots of doctors, appointments and monitoring. Levels must be monitored very very closely. All seems to be going fantastically and the doctors etc, in a word, are thrilled with Rachelle's progress.
Rachelle will tell you more in a very short but she too is thrilled... grateful and HEALTHY too. xoxo to All.
December 26, 2017
Rachelle and Matt wish you ALL a joyous holiday season. They are both thrilled with their Christmas miracle. : )))
December 22, 2017
"Each day Rachelle Price Gunderson surpasses the doctors' expectations and is a model transplant recipient. Of course, there are the normal adjustments her body makes now that it has a healthy kidney, but, all in all, she is doing wonderfully.
She and Matt are especially grateful for all the thoughts and prayers you all - friends, family and family of friends - have sent. Rachelle can feel the energy tenfold. They are also incredibly grateful for the donations people have made here. Thank you!! This helps pay for the temporary housing, living expenses, etc at their temporary housing; they need to stay near the facility for a while longer yet.
Best part? The miracle of Rachelle's kidney's donor has rendered her nearly speechless and quite often during the day she almost has to pinch herself to see if she's dreaming all this. She'd waited so long and never thought it possible and then the call came late one night...
Thank you, Donor, for your incredible gift."
-- from Cinthia, Rachelle and Matt's friend
December 12, 2017
"It's with great pleasure I can announce to you all that Rachelle Price Gunderson is coming through her transplant with flying colors. It's really going well so far. So continue keeping her in your thoughts and prayers. I'll know more and share when I do. Maybe I'll get an address for cards and letters. How old skool, huh?
It's so so SO exciting! It happened! It's a miracle."
-- from Cinthia, Rachelle and Matt's friend
December 8, 2017
As of today, 7 December, from Matt:
"Surgeon said everything went well with Rachelle. She will be in ICO for a few days then another few days in General at Good Samaritan. We don't know yet if the kidney 'takes,' but we remain positive with anything that gets thrown at us.
Thank. you for your beautiful well wishes and love. I'll post updates as I can."
December 4, 2017
Hi all! Here is a more recent picture of Matt and I. Always happy and we are so looking forward to a life of great health. Thank you, all!
December 2, 2017
Matt and I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to donate and/or share on my behalf ESPECIALLY when much of our community (Sonoma and Napa Counties) has been ravaged by fire. Our hearts break knowing how many we care about have suffered.
... which is why each and every dollar donated so far has so been incredibly special to us - every penny counts in these times. We know this and we thank you all so very very much!
Please continue to spread the word... the kidney will come my way soon, I just know it. : )
November 27, 2017
Thanksgiving and come and gone. It is one that sees me extra grateful - I am SO excited about receiving my new kidney.
Free of dialysis. Being able to drink ice cold water when I want. Taking trips for as long as I want, when I want and to wherever I want. Planning fun stuff for Matt and I to do because this previous journey has been long and arduous on us both. That will take the rest of my life. : )
Finally, and most importantly, not everyone has friends and family like you, and even while we struggle with the finances of doing this and getting me healthy, I realize that I have so so much to be thankful for.
Thank you, ALL!!
