San Francisco Trip # 1

The Beginning of a Journey that will change our lives forever..

Wednesday January 5th, I went to work and Todd stayed home to study and take care of somethings at the house before we leave. He picked me up at work and we went to Idaho Falls. My good friend Tony met us airport and he took our car to his house to keep it while we are away; What a blessing that was;

 Tony is a great friend and he and his wife are praying for us.

We got through security 2 and 1/2 hours before our plane took off even though they giggled at our laptop being so old and heavy. It was nice to get there early and we were the only ones in the waiting area so we pulled up a couple of chairs and played..................you got it YAHTZEE!!!

It was cold and when we boarded the plane was less then 1/2 full so we were able to sit where ever and had two seats to ourselves. It took a long time for us to get take off and then twenty minutes after we lifted off we had to return to Idaho Falls because the plane had some problems. I was so cold I was about to cry, we sat in the plane for almost an hour and then they unloaded us and we went into the building for 30 minutes, at that time we knew we were not going to make our flight to Denver so they rescheduled us for a later flight, we were very thankful that they were able to do that (thats how God works) Some people were unable to reschedule, some were very upset and angry for the delay, that, I couldn't understand.

We were safe on the ground, HELLO!

we got to Denver at 8:30 and hustled, meaning ran clear to the other end of the airport to our gate.....

but we made it! Todd even let me use the restroom, yeah that is just the kind of guy he is.

We made our flight from Denver to San Francisco even though Todd and I didn't get to set together, he was setting right behind me. I was freezing still, I have never been so cold for so long.  We got off the plane and waiting to see our big brown suite case come around the carousel at the baggage claim, when I saw it, it almost looked like an old friend, funny huh? We were told by a young man I sat next to on the plane to find a "Super Shuttle" to take us to the Stanford Guest House 27 miles away.

In California everything is out side, like they think it is warm or something.

We stood out side waiting for our "Super Shuttle; at this time we have only met maybe 5 people who speak English. The girl at the Super Shuttle Stand was kind and for that I was thankful. She said lets hope that your driver speaks English and I was like ha ha, that's a joke....right? Yeah well, it wasn't; we got on our little van with 3 other people and our Czechoslovakian driver who, I was sure, was going to kill us. But again God kept us safe and we arrived at the Guest House in one piece; by 1:30 we were showered and in bed. so hungry but more cold and tired.

 Stanford Guest house

 Waiting for the bus to go to the Hospital, big day of testing.

 heading to the building for the CT scan

 Stanford medical building.

 College Medical Library

Thursday, January 6th, our first appointment was to check in at the liver donor clinic then we went and Todd had to have a blood draw at this time I jumped into the hospital gift shop and bought two lap blankets for our flight home, and then we met with the nicest lady, Aundrea, she pretty much puts all this together for the donor. We met with the two surgeons real nice and very kind and patient. Then the liver specialist and then a lady named Jessica, not sure what she was there for. But after 4 hours in the same room without lunch, we were worn down but Todd still had to go and have a chest X-Ray and a CT scan. I had something to eat and then we walked over to another building for his appointment. Then back to the cafeteria for a meal for Todd, boy was he hungry. Then we called for the Guest house bus and they came and got us.

We both had one meal this day. crazy.....

Friday, January 7th, our only appointment for this day is with the social worker, at 10:00 She was a good person and she helped us get some answers to a few questions we have been having.  I appreciated her. She was an older lady and I could tell she was sincere, when she said she was there for us.

After the appointment we walked and walked and went to a different cafeteria and found another place on campus to eat that was a lot better.  When we first got there, there was maybe 20 people there, we got our meals and sat down to have a nice meal and visit. In 15 minutes the place was so full we couldn't hear each other talk. We finished our meal and left for another long walk and then called the bus to pick us up. On the way back we wanted to stop at a little plaza that we have been seeing and was close to the guest house, but we were too afraid to ask, but get this, the driver pulled in and said, I hope its ok, but I have to pick up someone here. We said it's great cause we wanted to stop here. One of the many little ways that God supplied for us there. We got off and saw a Starbucks, a drug store, a yogurt shop,bank,  nail salon and Safeway market! I asked Todd if he minded if I got my nails done and he said sure, he wanted to go for a little walk. By the time he came in to the salon my new friend Kimmie was almost done with my nails. It was a fun time. We pickup a roasted chicken, some fruit and vegetables and started our long hike to the room....all up hill...by the time we got to the room I was pooped, I took a shower and tried to take a nap while Todd studied. We had a nice little picnic and watched a movie. We got up and packed and picked up at 8:00 for our Trip to the airport. We got checked in and had a meal, THANK GOD!

The flight from San Francisco to Denver was nice and when we landed we hit the ground running to our next gate and the bathrooms. It's always better when Todd has to use the bathroom too. :)

The flight form Denver to Idaho Falls started getting cooler and even though Denver had no snow, it was a welcome site to see the snow out the window as we got closer to home. When we landed the wind was blowing and it was cold but really there is no place like home. Well there you have it, the first leg of a possible long journey. That through the Grace of God, the prayers and encouragement of our beautiful daughters and other family and friends, was a success. Until we know the decision on the tests we will continue to press on, Trust God, and living this everyday life.

Almost home at the Denver Airport, still cold and hungry, so we share a nice meal.