Dear Friends,

After meeting with his team of doctors on the 17th of February, Walker and Candy were told the extremely sobering truth that after weeks of testing and evaluation the team came to the conclusion that if Walker did not have a double lung and kidney transplant that he would have about 18 months to live. 

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Please pray that Walkers doctors will determine a way that he can move forward with kidney transplants without needing a lung transplant. After viewing a 2 hour pre-transplant class yesterday, both Walker and Candy were very upset by what they heard would be the reality of a lung transplant. It is not a road that anyone would want to go. Our hope is that the doctors may decide that through concentrated rehab his right lung would improve enough over time to be sufficient for him to lead a good life. They may decide to take out the left lung or part of it and that would be fine but having lung transplants is a last resort and far from a vacation.[...]

Happy Super Sunday!

The new year started off with a bang! for Walker. He and Candy met with the Advent Health transplant team in early January to begin the process of evaluating his situation with a very critical eye towards how his transplants will be carried out. It’s not a matter of if, but of when and how, to what degree. They scheduled 19 test for him over a 20 day period, every test you could imagine including snorting radioactive dust before a scan. Thus is the new life that Walker has been given. A very different life. 

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Happy Holidays to all,

Like us, I am sure you can relate to the hope that lies in the passing of 2020 into a new year, one that has to be better, right? As years go, 2019 would rank as the toughest in my 57 year career as well as for the rest of my family and 2020 will undoubtedly be coming in a close 2nd in the ranks. So, for us, for most of us, 2021 is going to be a better year because we have no where to go but up :-). Who knows maybe like Jacksonville or the NY Jets we could land a number one draft pic and watch our fortunes change in the coming season, ya never know. When God is quarterbacking your team anything is possible.[...]

Hello My fellow Americans,

Most interesting times we live in, no? You like me could probably go for less interesting. Walker, on the other hand, was up for interesting and made the “adult” decision as he would call it to book a couple of nights at a resort. But he did check with his Mom and Dad first before buying his room with funds earned by his Tabacco-free Florida ad. He decided to book a single king room for him and his dog, Finn, a couple of weeks ago, a first for him in his adulthood. After a little research he chose the beautiful Gaylord Palms because they allowed therapy dogs. And because he’s a chip off the old block, a few days later he called the Gaylord sharing with them in more detail about his story then asking for a room upgrade Which would help with all his equipment. He was successful getting upgraded to a junior suite which suited him just fine.[...]

Truth be told, while I put up a good front most days, most post, it’s a hard gig at our house. Not only are we experiencing all the social & political weirdness that we all are going through today, which is hard enough in its own right, we have a 21 yr old son who is very sick just about everyday. Some days are better than others but the overwhelming majority are just plain awful. Between dialysis bags, throwing up, the shakes, the chills, fatigue, labored breathe, and a variety of body aches and pains, somehow Walker And his family find time to enjoy something especially our wonderful dogs, I don’t think we could function without their Incredible happiness and unconditional love, Or a great meal with family, or a sunset, which are a favorite of mine. These simple joys are what keep us grounded and “happy” most days. I am sure most of you can relate to this just about now.[...]

Hi All,

Lots has happened over the last few months. Last we spoke, Walker had recently had a stem-cell treatment and had begun peritoneal dialysis. It took till the end of July for this new method of dialysis to really work and become comfortable for Walker. A cumbersome and time consuming process that involves bringing 3 large bags of fluids to his room every night so a machine can pump the fluid in and out of his body all through the night. While it’s definitely better than the blood filtering version of dialysis, it’s still nothing a 21 yr old wants to be doing with his time. 

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Greetings Earthlings :-)

i don’t know about you but I sure feel like an Alien visiting a strange planet right about now.[...]

www.gofundme.com/walker-mcknight[...]

Its been over a year now that we have been on this journey together. And one hec of a ride it has been. One thing is for sure, we would not be in such a fair position without all of you that have prayed for Walker/Us, that have contributed funds to help us manage, that have encouraged us and lifted us up when the going has been rough. Thank you to all of you that have helped us through this extraordinary time.[...]