First of all, the most important news: the transplant operation went well, and Liv’s new kidney is racing ahead exactly as the doctors had hoped. There have been no signs of what they call a “slow-start” or “shock” kidney, where a transplanted kidney can sometimes take time to wake up and begin working properly.
Even more encouraging, her kidney numbers have already fallen to between 20 and 30, which is considered completely normal and healthy for a child Liv’s age. After everything she has been through, seeing those numbers has brought us so much relief and hope.
That said, recovery is proving to be every bit as tough as the doctors warned us it would be.
While her kidney is doing brilliantly, there are still many moving parts that need constant monitoring and adjustment. Medications are being changed, blood tests seem endless, and her little body is working incredibly hard to adapt to all the new treatments. She still has catheters, IV lines and tubes everywhere, making it difficult even to pick her up and comfort her properly when she is upset or in pain.
Things are moving in the right direction, slowly but surely, and we are genuinely happy and incredibly grateful. At the same time, we’re still worried, emotionally drained, and exhausted in a way that is hard to put into words. No matter how much the doctors prepare you, nothing really prepares you for living through it.
For now, we’re holding on tightly to the fact that her new kidney is doing exactly what it should. One step at a time, one day at a time. 
Thank you all for your messages, support, prayers and kind thoughts. They mean more to us than we can ever properly express.
