Looking back... such is Life.
I remember when I was younger I would accompany my grandmothers to the grocery store. Often my energy and eagerness would get the better of me and I would find that I had lost my grandmother! This happened often and to my dismay I would have to retrace my steps and would find them along the way. The remainder of the trip I would have to remind myself to slower my pace. Once I did this, I found I actually started enjoying shopping 'with' my grandmothers. It no longer was a task, but a pleasurable event. Many times they would talk about their youths, recipes and other family members favorite meals. As a matter of fact I was always quick to volunteer to take them.
Today I am getting ready to go into yet again another surgery. I have spent once again another perilous week fighting for my right to survive. (Almost a common daily thing for me any more.) Each hospital stay I have fewer and fewer visitors. I yearn for conversations that have nothing to do with my health and even setting up events a week in advance. (Being the optimist.)
I love my family and friends and can understand the tugs and pulls they feel to get on with their lives. Once in a while they stop, look around and back track to find me. That is fine, because I understand.... such is life. I will be here waiting to hear about what they have been up to and hopefully share a few laughs. What more can you ask from life?
Labels: Hospital
posted by NetRaven at
5:23 AM
2 Comments:
My dear Stephen, my husband, Steve , received a new liver on March 9th, 2009. After several attempts at ridding himself of the Hep C - all failed - we moved to Virginia Beach Va. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and our reason for coming here from the paradise of southwest Florida was made crystal clear on that day. Steve was/is amazingly lucky. We found an amazing digestive health specialist Dr. Michael Ryan in Norfolk who ran tests and found 2 leasions on Steve's liver. He had Steve go through the gambit of tests to get on the transplant list. Due to the cancer, his MELD score placed him high on the list. We went to the transplant center in Charlottesville Va at UVA. He was considered a good candidate for a transplant. We received the letter that he had been placed on the list officially on Feb. 13th 2009. We got the "call" the morning of March 9th and drove the 2 hours to UVA. By 11:30 pm he had a new liver. He is doing wonderfully. But we know that there is much to follow. They want to keep him on the anti-rejection meds as long as possible before they start the Hep C treatment. Right now, it is a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. The virus is no doubt enjoying it's new healthy cells to destroy. The transplant was the first giant step, the treatment will be the next. I have sent out over 100 emails to everyone that I know explaining Steve's story, the facts about being an organ/tissue donor, and the links to register to be a donor, asking them to send the email on to everyone they know in hopes that it will reach thousands. I give information out to everyone that I come across and am continuously begging people to give the gift of life. I feel that it is the least that I can do to thank that unknown hero who was a donor and saved my husbands life. I just received the green bracelets from you, and plan on giving out the first 6 to my family members who have registered. I plan on ordering more as soon as I can. Thank you so much for allowing me to begin spreading the word in other ways besides all that I do now. The statics are horrific for all who need organs and tissue to save and enhance their life. I feel that it is now my passion and lifes work to get as many people as possible to register as a donor, as well as educate so many people who are unaware of this desperate need. My hope and prayer is that someday, in the near future that everyone possible will be a registered donor, and share their wishes with friends, family members and other loved ones. My hope is that soon you will be given the chance to live a nice long life and someday have your grand children walk with you as you shop. I send you prayers, hope, pride, dignity, and serenity. Through what you do, and all you give you are one of heroic stature. And one day you will be rewarded for all that you have done and and will continue to do as your life progresses into a ripe old age. Have faith, and believe you will get better. On your bad days accept that you are having a crummy day, but at least you are still here to fight. Everyday that you are here, that is another gift. Live in the moment, breathe through it all and know that you are good and brave and that you will survive this horrible disease. Your life can be magic - my Steve always said that he was magic, way before any of the bad stuff happened. I have always believed that about him, and I believe that you can be magic as well. Stephen you are magic. Continue to fight.
Thank you so very much for telling your husbands story. (Please feel free to email (NetRaven1@mac.com) me. I would love to have your husbands story listed here to inspire others. (I already know it inspired me. ) By the way, my birthday, March 9th.
Looking forward to hearing more from you and your husband.
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