A Plea For Your Prayers

    It breaks my heart to write this.  I have tried to hold off doing it...thinking that my family could handle this alone....I was wrong.  I must add, Bonnie asked me to let her post this almost two weeks ago...I was reluctant.  I should have let her and the guilt tears at me. <--(do not feel guilty Nancy (- Bonnie)

Please, let me explain...

    On November 11, 2009.  I witnessed the miracle of love.  I stood in a hospital and watched as my niece and nephew hugged, kissed, and exchanged words of their deep love for each other.  They were  both dressed in hospital gowns, hooked to IV drip lines.  Tears streamed down my face.  The world was a dream scape...surreal.  Could this really be happening?  Am I really here to see this?  Someone, please, wake me up.  Many people in blue floated in and out of my perception.

    Ruth, was being prepared to go to surgery.  She was donating a kidney to her very ill brother, Aaron. Aaron is a young father...his son is under a year old.  This gift was for him and his son, for his wife.  A chance for them to share many years together.  Over five long years of steady decline had led to the final decision...don't wait for a kidney to become available through other avenues...act a quickly as possible.  All the tests were ran, Ruth was found to be a suitable donor.  She would be a living donor for her brother.

    The surgery was prolonged and difficult for many reasons.  Afterwards, one by one they were brought to their rooms, first Ruth, then Aaron.  My family was waiting for them.  Hope...love...the promise of a better tomorrow. 

Everything appeared to be going alright. 

A few days of concern for Ruth.  The pain medications reacted badly and her blood pressure dropped to a dramatic low that concerned the doctors greatly.  Her pain was difficult to manage.  Through it all, she said she had no regrets.  None whatsoever.

    Aaron began experiencing the sensation of his body beginning to function as it was created in the first place, something he had not experienced in such a long time, and was so elated.  We all were. 

    This excitement was short lived.  Aaron has been to surgery again to correct some connections in
Ruth's kidney to his body.  Through biopsies and blood work, his new kidney has now been found to be showing signs of rejection. 

One third of his new kidney is now non-functioning. He must undergo blood cleansing procedures to remove antibodies that are attacking the new kidney.  The anti-rejection medications have caused him to retain so much water in his body that he feels the pressure in his chest and he is on heart medications.  Ruth is still in pain. 

     Aaron apologized to his sister, saying he was sorry she went through so much and now, the kidney may be lost after all.  Ruth said no, don't do that, she would do it all again.... in a hearbeat.

    I don't know how this will all work out.  Each day brings something new.  But for now, it is a dire situation. 

This gift of love, a sister's kidney, Aaron's hope for life, may be lost.  These are two really wonderful people...a blessing in this world.

    Please help my family.  Please pray.  I am not just calling out to Christians.  Pray to Whomever you call your Higher Power.  I respect all religions that believe in love, peace, and a concern for the sanctity of human life.  It's all LOVE.  Aaron and Ruth need that love.  My family needs that LOVE.  These are two really wonderful people...a blessing in this world. 

 

Thank you so much.

Nancy

 

Light A Virtual Candle HERE

 

 

UPDATE: November 23, 2009

 

Sue sends this to everyone: 

 

Thank them all for their prayers.  I cherish every one. I will send them an update tomorrow on kids' progress. Aaron's son said 'Ma Ma' for the first time today.  His first words! Ruth texted me just now for everyone:  Thank you for all your prayers and support.  Still holding on.  Healing slowly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

25 Facts About Organ Donation and Transplantation

http://www.kidney.org/news/newsroom/fs_new/25factsorgdon&trans.cfm

Q&A on Living Donation

http://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingDonors/infoQA.cfm