Early today, I opened my quarterly devotional to this morning prayer. It pierced my heart as I read these words for the first time. I felt comforted thinking of tasks ahead of me and remembering those behind my family.
Seven years ago today on Friday the thirteenth of October, my sister Tammy underwent surgery to remove 60 percent of her healthy liver. Shortly after, doctors operated on our mother, Sue. First they removed her liver depleted by non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Then they transplanted into Sue new life – using the donated part of Tammy's liver.
It was a leap of faith. Mom and Tammy were just the third pair to undergo such a procedure in the history of the Mayo Clinic. As with this morning's prayer, we could not see this venture's ending. We could only pray for faith, courage and guidance on the parts of all parties involved.
The transplant succeeded. Doctors told Mom that Tammy's liver was a perfect match – almost like having her own renewed. Within a few weeks, both liver parts grew to the size needed to serve Mom and Tammy. A couple years later, Tammy married and gave birth. Today Tammy and her husband have three children – among the nine grandchildren of Sue and Curt brought forth by their four daughters.
Sue and Tammy's transplant story inspired others... including my Norwegian host mom, Gunn.
Like Sue, Gunn also suffered diabetes and liver failure. To survive, she needed a transplant but was afraid. For encouragement, I sent Gunn newspaper clippings and testimonies of Sue and Tammy – who just months after surgery were leading normal lives at home. Fourteen months following Sue and Tammy's transplant surgeries, Gunn received a new liver, from an accident victim. Norwegian medicine had not come so far as dividing a living donor's liver, my host dad said.
Thousands of miles separated the two transplant recipients. Although Sue and Gunn had corresponded, they'd never met. Two weeks ago, their paths crossed.During Gunn and Svein's life-long-dream trip to the USA, I drove them to the farm where I (their American daughter) grew up in the house that Sue and Curt still call home. There my two sets of parents finally met each other. Tammy dropped in for the visit too.
Today's prayer calls us to go with courage, knowing that God's hand leads and supports us... towards others on crossing paths.
2 comments:
What a witness to God's faithfulness. His mercies never fail, but they are truly new every morning. You are the link in His chain of good works. Thanks for telling His tales.
Such a memory it is! I remember it as yesterday just waiting for hours on end in the hospital waiting to hear any news. The longest waiting I have ever done in my life. An emotional rollercoaster.....I, too, am grateful for the prayers that were fulfilled that day! And to see both liver recipients be able to finally meet from 2 such far lands. Thanks for the story!
B.
Post a Comment