--T MINUS 3 DAYS--
The countdown has officially begun to the transplant. Well I guess it has been going for some time now but it is really getting close. I can't believe that it has been less than a year since this journey began. With God's grace, Saturday will come, a transplant will happen, and then I will begin on a new adventure. I say by God's grace because I truly believe that it is only through Him that I am still alive today.

This journey has been one full of God's miraculous provisions as well as some of the most confusing/frustrating times in my life. We have been blessed with incredible help. From doctors, surgeons, social workers, and dialysis technicians. I don't really know what we would have done without their help.

My dad wrote about his tests that he has had to go through this past couple of weeks. Talk about frustration. I know the doctors are trying to be as thorough as possible, which I am truly grateful for, but come on. Couldn't this have happened two months ago!? The anticipation for this transplant has caused some other things to happen as well.

I went into dialysis on Monday and found out that my blood pressure had skyrocketed! Naturally, we all freeked a little knowing that it needs to go down considerably in order to have the surgery. So in order to try to make it go down, the dosage of my blood pressure medicine was increased as well as having dialysis both Tuesday and again today. Unfortunately, my blood pressure did not change. So I asked with sincere urgency that you pray specifically for my blood pressure to decline.

Not knowing the reason for the sudden increase in pressure only causes our minds to start racing. Why is up? Is this a good thing? How could it be a good thing? One suggestion, from both of my parents, has been that maybe it takes high blood pressure to rejuvenate a kidney. If that is the case, then bring it on!

Please keep looking to the Blog for updates regarding the transplant and other information.

Thank you again so much for the prayers!!

Please keep praying ... surgery is still on!

Assuming I stay qualified through three more blood tests this week, the transplant surgery is still scheduled to begin this Saturday, December 2nd, at about 7:00 a.m. As Saturday approaches, we will post a more detailed schedule of the day's events so that you can pray specifically throughout the day.

Two surgeons will be involved: the first one to remove one of my kidneys, the second one to transplant the kidney into Nate. I met my surgeon yesterday. While waiting in his office, I noticed that Dr. Chamberlin had graduated from BYU. During our discussion, I said, "I assume you are a man of faith, so I want you to know that hundreds of people have been praying for us, and will be on their knees this Saturday, praying specifically for you."

He immediately held out his hands toward me and said, "Tim, I have studied a long time, and have performed hundreds of these operations, but I am just the instrument. I, too, will be on my knees early Saturday morning before coming in to see you."

As we continued to discuss the specifics of my surgery and post-operative care, I grew more and more confident of his ability, attitude and character. He also spoke very highly of Nate's surgeon, the hospital's transplant director, Dr. Ruzics. In fact, every specialist that I have seen during the past six months, have all given extremely high praise to the work of this doctor.

Finally, Nate and I have been warned to "lay low and stay healthy" this week. We will keep you posted as the week progresses. Thanks for praying!

~ Tim

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT INFO FOR BLOOD DONORS!!!

Tim's daughter, Alicia, here posting an urgent update for him. Due to some confusion at the clinic, my dad's window between finishing his tests and going in to bank his own blood has closed. The doctors are not allowing him to bank any blood next week since it is too close to the transplant.

If you are still planning to donate blood, please request that it be "DOUBLE TAGGED" to Nathan Robertson and Tim Robertson. It must be tagged this way for both of them to receive credit.

At this point, my dad has been told that he needs at least two units. Remember, any type of blood is allowed to be banked on their behalf. Please continue to pray both of them through the next week of remaining test (refer to previous blog). We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers.

Have a Happy & Safe Thanksgiving

Hallelujah! Give thanks on this Thanksgiving eve!

I got the results back this morning from the urologist: I do NOT have prostate cancer. He dictated a letter, in my presence, to the transplant surgeon stating that there is no sign of cancer and that I am "clean and clear" to go forward with surgery.

The ultimate decision still rests with the transplant surgeon. Later today, he will review the results of the G.F.R. scan that was done two days ago, which measured my kidney function. I expect to hear his final analysis before the end of the day today, but his coordinator told me this morning that "nothing unusual" showed up, in her estimation.

Nate and I are scheduled for a "final compatibility crossmatch" this Sunday, at 8:00 a.m. Next week is also full of additional meetings and lab work in preparation for surgery on Saturday, December 2nd, at 7:00 a.m. We have been reminded that any of these final blood tests can still disqualify me. We have also been told to "lay low" this next week and to stay healthy. Please pray for our protection from colds or flu.

We will use this blog as the primary means of communication to all of you prayer partners. Thank you, again, for sustaining Nate and me, plus our entire family, through this process.

Enjoy tomorrow's significant national holiday with your family and friends. As you give thanks, be sure to praise God for His grace that He has abundantly poured onto our family.

~ Tim

Hello, family and friends!

Thank you for praying me through the prostate biopsy today! Thanks to an excellent urologist, who talked and joked with me throughout the 15 minute procedure (plus a little bit of valium), this invasive test was not as bad as I had anticipated. Unfortunately, the after effects are not so keen, as I am having difficulty sitting or walking at the moment. The results will be back next week. Assuming that no prostate cancer is detected, then the surgery should be a go!

Here is another prayer request, though. I received a call this afternoon from the kidney transplant center informing me that the angiogram done last Friday on my kidneys revealed a simple cyst on my right kidney. This is perfectly normal for someone my age, but because the size of the cyst is rather large, they have ordered me to undergo an additional test this coming Monday, November 20th, to re-check the function of both of my kidneys.

This G.F.R. renal scan will include injecting a small amount of radioactive fluid, followed by some pictures being taken of the rate at which my kidneys pick up the fluid. G.F.R. stands for Glomerular Filtration Rate. The radioactive fluid is safe, although the transplant coordinator did joke that I may "glow" for awhile!

Finally, if you are planning to donate blood on Nate's behalf, it will need to be done by next Tuesday, November 21st. Any blood type may be donated and will be credited to Nate's account. The two specific types that will be tested for compatibility with his blood are B-negative and O-negative. Please call the Donor Lab at St. Joseph's hospital at (714) 744-8721. Tell them that you want to schedule a time to donate blood for Nathan Robertson. The lab is conveniently located on the first floor of a new, high-rise medical facility called "The Pavilion" - 1140 W. La Veta, in Orange - a half block east of Main Street, and a half-mile north of the 5 freeway. A multi-level parking garage is adjacent, with free parking for two hours.

A flurry of activity awaits us as the December 2nd surgery date approaches. This blog will be the best source of information as to what is happening and how you can pray specifically. Once again, from our family, thank you for sustaining us through this process.

~ Tim

ATTENTION--POSSIBLE DONORS--ATTENTION

For those of you who are wanting to donate your precious blood here is what to do..
You need to call (714) 744-8721 to make an appointment with the lab. Once you have made the appointment you will go in, they will give you a questionare to fill out, take your blood, and then maybe give you some juice and cookies or something. That is really all that it is. I have been reminded that the blood donations must be completed 10 days before surgery (Dec. 2th). So this needs to be done as soon as possible because it takes at least 5 days for the labs to process a unit of blood.

Again, I am extremely thankful for the already overwhelming response from you guys. Thank you so much.

I just wanted to write a quick post updating you about what's goin' on.
Yesterday, my dad had both the stress test and the CT renal angiogram. He passed the stress test with flying colors being told he has the heart of an ox. Let's just hope he has the kidney of a walrus or something!! As far as the angiogram goes, he said that it went well and we will get the results next week.
Speaking of next week. We really need your prayers for Wed. This is the last test that will determine if my dad is still qualified as a donor or not. It's kind of like the last hurdle in the 400 highs. After running around the whole track, you're tired and ready to be done but you have one more hurdle. So we need tons of prayer to be able to clear it and make our way to the finish line!!

As Nate has mentioned in his most recent post below, I still have a few medical "hoops" through which I must jump in the next two weeks, beginning tomorrow. As you pray for us, please pray specifically for the following:

• Friday, November 10 - cardiology stress test, followed by a CT renal angiogram. The first test is to make sure that my heart will survive this major surgery. The second test is to get a closer look at which of my two kidneys the surgeon will transplant.

• Wednesday, November 17 - prostate biopsy. The surgeon wants to rule out any possibility of prostate cancer.

Please pray that I will stay qualified as the donor through each of these tests. Thank you for joining our family through this significant period in our lives. As these next several weeks unfold, we will keep you posted via this blog.

~ Tim

-A little sunset at Montage-
Alicia and Lloyd it's for you!

I think a solemn apology is in order to all of you. I have really slacked in my updates. Considering the last one was in Sept. and what is it now.... oh yeah NOVEMBER!! So I am really sorry for the lack of updates. Because believe me, there are some really good ones. Here goes...

Wait a second. These updates are REALLY good, so what are you doing just sitting there all laid back like? I said these were good! Get on the edge of your seat. I'm about to tell you... Hey, don't look further down to try and find out before I tell you. I know some of you are doing that. Ok, here goes. Crandall, in Ohio, can I get a little drum roll please.

Transplant date has been moved up to December 2nd!!!! By my calculations that is only 3 weeks, 2 days, and a few hours. Can I just say that I am incredibly stoked, nervous, scared, impatient, and completely thankful to the Lord for the ensuing transplant process. As many of you already know, my dad is going to be the donor. This has been and I think will continue to be a special time for us as father and son. He does have a few more tests to endure to make sure that he is indeed the best donor. So please continue to pray for him these next two weeks. He will write more about those test later.

When I look back on this season of my life it seems like it has flown by. But of course, going through the whole thing, it definitely seemed to drag. But having kidney failure, going through dialysis, and receiving a transplant all in a span of nine and half months is truly incredible. And you know I don't think I would have been able to go through it with as much positivity if it weren't for each one of you and your constant prayers. Just knowing that was going on helped me so much. So thank you again.

There is another thing that I need to mention. I am not really sure how to bring this up so I am just going to be blunt. Due to the transplant process, I am going to lose blood. Therefore, I am going to need blood for transfusions. Now, many of you from day one have asked how you could be a part of this whole thing. Because we learned early that my dad was compatible, there was no need to have anyone else tested. Now there is a need. And as macabre as it may sound, I need your blood. I am going to be setting up a "Designated DONOR Account" either tomorrow or Monday. The way it works is once the account is set up, anyone who wants to donate blood for me can call 714-744-8721 and make an appointment to go in and donate. The unfortunate thing is that you must go to the labs near the hospital, St. Joseph in Orange, CA, so those of you out of state and around the world that wish to donate...as much as I appreciate it, unless you can travel out here, it's a no go. These donations must be done at least 10 days before surgery because it takes time to process. I will write more about this once I create the account. But for those of you that want to be involved in this way, keep it in the back of your mind and look for upcoming updates.

So for prayer requests...
-I think the big ones are pretty obvious.
-My dad still has a few tests that we really need showers of prayer over so that he stays qualified as a donor.
-My health lately has not been that good. I got a touch of the flu that has kind of knocked me out the past few days. I need to get healthy before the surgery.
-The week before the surgery is filled with final appointments, training sessions, and final labs.
-So with all of this please continue to pray that the focus stays on my Creator knowing that He is in control of everything.