Our Miracle Is Here

A year and a half now we have been praying. It has been a year and a half of doctors' visits, an arm's length medication list, hospital visits, hospital admissions, begging for donors, and discouragement. It has been a difficult year and a half. Finally, FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY, we have what we need. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last night, my stepfather stayed the night at the hospital with Mom. There was a woman, a registered organ donor, on life support. Tests were run, and Mom and Rob were given notice that things were not looking good for this individual. This did mean, however, that there was a high likelihood that Mom would be getting her transplant very very soon. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This morning, I was asleep when I received a call from mom around 7AM. I have a faint recollection of this call, but I must have been too groggy to answer. A few minutes later, Rob called and I answered. Mom was supposed to be moved back to rehab today, so when I answered Rob said, "Casey, don't go to the nursing home today." "Why not?" "Mom's getting prepped for the OR." "Rob, what's wrong?" "She's getting her transplant." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mom has been as desperate to find a liver as we have been to find her one. I have heard her say time and time again, "I can't wait to get a new liver. It will make me a whole person again. I'll be a normal person again." Yes, it will take time, but Mom will be a normal person again.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are ELATED! A year and a half of unspeakable grievances are over. This is not over entirely--There is still going to be time in the ICU and therapies to get her good and strong once again. But she is strong enough to make it through this, and she is strong enough to make a full recovery. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the midst of this joy, we are still grieving. When Mom first got sick and had to consider transplantation, she did not know that a living donor was an option. She told us flat-out that as bad as she wanted a liver, she knew that our miracle would be another person's and another family's tragedy. We have very limited information about the person who has just saved Mom's life, but we would like to thank this person and her family. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We know that our donor was a young woman. She had been on life support for several days. Someone, somewhere, who we do not know (or we may; Again, we have no names) had heard about Mom and her need for a liver. This woman's family had specifically requested that, if this woman was a match, her liver be given to my Mom. To the young woman whose life ended by giving life to others, we grieve for you and still we thank you with all our hearts. You have not died in vain. To her family if you are reading this, THANK YOU. There are not enough "thank you's" in this world, not enough ways to say it in any language. It is so terrible facing untimely loss; It takes courage we usually do not know where to find. But your choice to direct this donation to my Mom is something we can never repay. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We hope that we may be able to pay proper respect to our hero--our heroes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mom's surgeon came in and spoke to us all just a few minutes ago. She is doing well. The procedure took about six hours and went well with minimum incidence. Just as we think news of a new liver is the most incredible news in the world(It is, but this next bit is still wonderful), her surgeon told us that Mom was Yale-New Haven's 500th liver transplant procedure. The hospital may honor her with some kind of celebration--But as far as we're concerned, the glory should go to the people (all the people) who took part in saving my mother's life. Them, and the wonderful God we serve. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Susie's story is not over now that she has a new liver. We have witnessed so many loving people showing their support for Mom. So many prayer warriors and so many well-wishers. We are asked daily how Mom is doing, and we imagine that the questions will persist throughout her recovery. As a family, we wish to continue keeping you all posted. We ask continued prayers for the healing process, for the family whose child, sister, loved one, gave Mom her second chance, for the doctors daily saving lives just as Mom's has been saved today, and for those still waiting on the miracle we have been given. We pray that Mom's testimony might be able to reach the darkest corner to bring even a little light. Hopefully, before long,

Mom will be writing to all of you reading herself. As always, we will keep you posted.

Photos Mom requested Pre-op