Three people who are willing to be tested as possible donors for Gage have gotten in their paperwork to the transplant team. That is the first step in a very long process.

In all fairness to potential donor #4 they asked for the package well after the others got theirs. This person learned that we were still looking for a couple of people and decided, rather quickly and surprisingly, to be considered. This #4 person came – seriously – out of left field.

So, the process is churning ever so slowly. This is not something that moves faster than it does. And really, it’d be a little creepy if I started calling Potential Donors about their schedules. As Gage’s parents we called and called and stayed on top of the transplant team and testing appointments and it moved fast (yes, 7 weeks is fast I’m told) for us.

Am still carrying the kidney beeper and planning a trip the 1st week out of the year. I’m mildly nervous about being 4 hours away by plane with the slim possibility of us getting "the call" so I’m taking the leap of faith that it won’t come during those particular 5 days.

I do know one thing: if I don’t book those tickets, there’s no way we’ll get a call.