One YEAR has past!

I can't believe ONE year has past since the Kidney Transplant! We thank GOD for such a blessing! Derek continues to do Great! He's back to himself, has energy, feels good, and looks healthy. We wanted to have a Big celebration for their 1st anniversary, but things didn't work out with everyone's schedule. So we'll have to celebrate double next year.
March 16th, Derek experienced the loss of his grandfather. Something that has not touched our family before, was losing a Very Close loved one in death. Derek was very close to his grandpa all his life. Derek was with Frankie in Monterey, when I had to rush him into coming home for the bad news. We couldn't ask for a more beautiful funeral/Mass/Burial/Reception,surrounded by a huge number of family and friends! And of course...Frankie & Amy helped out once again with the food reception.

Frankie's mother is in town visiting right now. Frankie continues to do well and is still the Happy go Lucky person that everyone knows and loves.
Frankie is still working at Tiffany's in Carmel doing well there.

Derek is working as an Wedding/Event Coordinator and loves putting his creative talent to work.
His sister Roxanne is getting married this summer so he's loving the fact that he can put his creativity into her/his event! lol Should be a beautiful wedding!

Our annual Halloween party last year was a huge success! Derek as usual out did the year before...and is master planning this year again. Over a hundred people in costumes last year having a great time. Band was great! And believe it or not, this year NO police! Except for the prankster police that was one of our guests! LOL

Derek, Frankie, Amy, and Ryan...continue to use their Annual Disney Passes every couple of months. They never tire of Disneyland! If you ever went to Disneyland with these guys, they are a lot of the entertainment. You will never laugh so hard-where your sides will ache, nor be embarassed as much as you ever had! Their quite a Clan of FUN! hahaha!
Derek got his first TATOO! A Disney "D"(Script) with Mickey "Ears", something he designed up for himself. Very Nice!

We realize that people still view this blog. So I try to keep all those who have been supportive updated on both Frankie and Derek. Both Are Wonderful!!! TG!

Thanks again to ALL who CARE!

Love, Mother Nancy

My Guys!

To those of you who have kept up on Derek and Frankie's condition.
I just wanted to let everyone know that it has been 5 months now since the kidney transplant. Everything is going so well-Thank God!
Derek does lab work every week and UCSF is gradually tapering him off the high dosages of medication. Derek feels very much alive again, Thank You God & Frankie! He's slowly turning back to himself again as regards to his energy level, eating abilities, social level, and of course his temperament. lol I'm so grateful to have my old Derek back!

Frankie is doing awesome too! He was just over the other day and looks just as wonderful as he is! Frankie says he feels no different...Other than he swears he gave Derek his "skinny kidney" for reasons I won't go into! lol

Frankie on the other hand immediately went back home a few weeks after his surgery to No. Carolina to visit his parents and family...So there's been No stopping Frankie.
Since the transplant the guys have already done their Disneyland trip together and had a Wonderful time! Gee, who wouldn't at the happiest place on earth!

Frankie works at Tiffany's in Monterey and What a Small World It truly is! He waited on None Other than Derek's Transplant Surgeon Dr. Nancy Asher in his store! It was quite an honor and experience for Frankie.

Derek is now planning our annual Halloween Costume Party. Derek being the Mastermind that he is at decorating new themes and so forth, keeps trying to out do his previous year. So let's see what he dreams up this year!

That's the Latest and the Greatest news today.
Thanks for your continual support and concerns!
Love all who care,

Mother Nancy

Derek's Recovery Update

The First day of Spring! It's been 21 days since Derek's Kidney Transplant. I'm happy to say he's doing really good! He had his check up today at UCSF, he needs to work on his medication balance because his blood pressure & potassium tend to be on the high side. He's lost weight about 10-12 pounds...and they (UCSF) put my worries at rest saying it's alright, because he's releasing all his toxins by Peeing once again. Who would think that this small little organ would make all the difference in our well being? Well Of course Derek loves the fact that he's slim & petite, it makes him "feel pretty" and he hopes to stay that way forever! LOL
Other than that...Derek is recovering quite well-Thank God!
Derek spent Tuesday with Frankie and Ryan in Monterey/Carmel. As usual they had a wonderful time together at the Aquarium and Eating.
Frankie is also doing exceptionally well in his recovery...but doesn't He deserve to???
He's "Frankie!"-I love em! These young men are truly exceptional people...with great hearts, lots of humor, laughter, and love. I'm so proud of them and love them all!
A special Thanks to Amy and Ryan for being there for both of them every step of the way, you two are very special people in all our lives.
Thanks to Everyone that has donated and Continue to Support the Fundraising, it has been a Huge Sense Of Relief to Both these young men!
God Bless You All!
Mother Nancy

Thank You Frankie!

Dear Frankie,

It’s so hard to find the right words for someone like you. From day ONE, you had always had my back. You’re most likely the only one in this world that gets me and understands me. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel like we were meant to meet each other in our life time, and we did in the best way! We became best of friends and now in a creepy way we are blood brothers.

The time you put aside to get the ball rolling for all this to happen as I was in deep depression and not wanting to deal with anything. You pushed, and pushed. Without that I don’t think any of this would have came about. I love you for the extra pushing and the time you put into this happening.

Now we can go on our long trips to WHEREVER! And WHATEVER days!!! And as many days as we want to!!!! No More DIALYSIS!

I thank you so much. You are one in a million! You gave me hope when I didn’t think there was any...

Love you always!
My best friend, my brother,
Derek Lee Lubag

Now That I'm HOME!

Wow what a week of Up's and Down's! It has been so crazy the amount of medication drugs it takes to keep a little organ (kidney) in your body running. This week I have felt so much but yet so little. In away I feel like I have a new life ahead, but I can’t stop thinking of the “What If's"? As for the moment the kidney is working at a 100%. Which is great in everyway. There is still a lot on my plate to keep it going at that rate. I’m still on 4 different anti rejection pills, in 6 months if all is still going good there will only be 2 pills. All my medication altogether is 16 prescriptions, which I have to take 3 times a day @12 pills each dose.
As for the kidney to Fail again there is a 38% chance it could.

As for Rejection the chance is always there. That’s why I have to get regular labs done 2 to 3 times a month, if not more.

I have so many of you to Thank! From all my friends, my family, people I don’t even know that where so kind to send in their donation’s. The help we had with the fundraiser. Amy and her part to keep you all informed when I was down in the hospital. Everyone that pulled together and prayed, sent their well wishes, cards, flowers, mail, texts, calls, my space, email cards, and their Love. The one's that kept me up at night laughing.
The Great Ass staff at UCSF. I can never ever thank you all enough! Now, I have a million thank you cards to write. :) Love all who loved me, Derek Lee Lubag

Time to Recover

Frankie Here-

I am home and couldn't be happier! It has been a long week, one of the longest in my life. I heard from Derek today and he is on his way home, TONIGHT! I am so excited for him, I was only there 3 1/2 days and I was desperate to get OUT and get some fresh air. I am sure he is beside himself with the prospect of getting fresh air and resting quietly at home.

Mother Anita and Ryan (my cat Indie too!) have been taking great care of me. We go on walks and mini outings (laundry on Thursday was the big event of the day), take a nap and watch some Planet Earth. I have no pain at all, I just tire very quickly and am slowly regaining the use of my abdominal muscles. It is just so nice to be home and relaxed. I am so lucky to have such an understanding employer, Tiffany&Co. really cares and is allowing me all the time I need and will have my job for me when I am able to return. I could not ask for a better situation to be in in order to help my friend Derek!

Thank You again everyone who reads this... and I have to thank Amy for all the updates she has been posting while Derek and I heal.

Time for a Nap!
Frankie

Good News!!!!

I just got a text from Derek - the meds are working!!

No more signs of rejection!

He should be home Sunday.

Thank You, Thank You for all the prayers!!!!