I learned that I was not in control as much as I thought. One of the sisters at school told me I was never in control in the first place. Lenzner said both Paul and Peter put their faith into action as active parishioners. Paul said he hopes his transplant will give others with sanconi anemia the courage to follow his example. Peter hopes to use his experience as a donor to inspire others when he becomes a youth minister.
Finances remain a concern.
The family has applied to Wisconsin Medicaid, but don't know what help they will receive. Paul could be in the hospital up to 35 days after the transplant and will remain in Minneapolis for 100 days. During that time, the family will have living expenses. Later, he will have regular checkups in Minneapolis, meaning additional expenses for him and his caregivers. Plus, the family will lose income because his father will need to hire someone to do the farmwork Peter and Paul do, and Mary will be off her jobs at St. Joseph Parish and St. John in Howard while she stays with him.