Library Notes
August 1, 2003
By Pansy Hundley, Librarian.
Several years ago, my niece, Lisa's, husband, David, was in Colorado with his father, hunting, when he became very ill suddenly. They got him to a hospital, and it turned out that he had a very serious kidney disease. Don't ask me to give you the name of it. It's about a mile long and I've only heard it once or twice.
The disease only worsened and within a year or so, David's kidneys stopped working completely. He has been on dialysis for about the last two years. At first David didn't want to consider surgery and a new kidney. But, as the dialysis business got older and older and David felt worse and worse, surgery didn't look so bad any more.
They contacted doctors and the Kidney Foundation and got David's name on the donor list. In the course of all this, Lisa was tested and , lo and behold, she was compatible with David.
To make a long story shorter, after several months, surgery was planned and finally scheduled.
Well, Lisa told David right off that if he ever left her, she'd take her kidney back! My thought was that she might reach down his throat to get it too.
This is the daughter of my brother, Jack, who single handedly threw a washing machine out the door, as a boy friend of hers' watched.
This is a tough Jones girl of the next generation. This is also the gal that had her last baby boy, and 30 minutes later, walked to her room from the delivery room. That was about the time that Suz had Cheyenne. When Suz heard about Lisa walking from that delivery room, she said she was going to slap her! She told Lisa that later and bewailed her for it. Suzie was just thankful that her hospital had the delivery in her hospital room and all she had to do was roll over, after holding that baby, and pass out the rest of the way! Bear in mind, though, that was Lisa's third baby and Suzie's first.
But, back to the surgery, now that you know how tough this gal is. Shortly before surgery, Lisa reiterated to hubby her previous sentiments. She told him that he better not ever leave her for a two-kidney woman. He did not want a one-kidney ex-wife!
Finally, the big day came and at 8:00 AM, surgery began on Lisa and lasted about four hours. As her surgery ended, David's began and, as the doctors said, that warm kidney went from one warm body to another warm body and that's the best way.
Surgery went just about perfect and David's transplanted kidney was already starting to work before he was all hooked up and all closed up.
They both have continued to do perfectly. Both are now in the "Ronald MacDonald" type apartments attached to the hospital.
Of course, David will have to stay around and be watched carefully for some time yet. And, of course, he will be on the anti-rejection drug for the rest of his life. Lisa says he will take it. I know she will personally see to it. After all, this is her kidney he's borrowed. I have a feeling that he'll be reminded of that periodically, should the occasion arise.
So, this one-kidney husband and his one-kidney wife will perhaps live happily ever after. At least, their lives should improve immeasurably, once David can again work and feel normal. And he'll be able once again to play, actively, with his two girls, Dana and Lettie, and that young son, Cooper. Cooper is two and has never seen his daddy be able to romp around with him and do much horse-play. Life should improve greatly for this little family. And, if David behaves himself, he should be able to keep this kidney that Lisa has loaned him!
Now that the very successful surgery is behind us, let's read another book. Danielle Steel has hit the stands with another one for the Best Sellers List, I'm sure. "Johnny Angel" is the title and, of course, it's here.
"With a word or a smile, 17-year-old Johnny Peterson could light up a room, fill his mothers' heart with pride, and inspire the best in those around him. A star athlete and class valedictorian, tall, lanky Johnny had a future filled with promise -- until he stepped into a car on prom night, dazzling in his rented tux, and in an instant, it was all taken away.
In the months that follow, Johnny's family and high school sweetheart, Becky, struggle to put together their shattered lives. No one is more devastated than Johnny's mother, Alice, whose oldest son owned her heart from the day he was born. But amid the heartache, something miraculous is about to happen to the Peterson family, something that will alter the course of each of their lives. When a sudden illness sends Alice to the hospital, a glorious vision comes to her in her dreams. There, standing before her, is Johnny himself, with that familiar twinkle in his eye, gently urging his bewildered mother to be strong for her splintered family. For Alice, seeing her marvelous lost boy is a miracle she can't quite believe but is more than willing to embrace. In the weeks to come, Johnny will appear in the most unlikely places, visible only to the two people who need him most: his 9-year-old brother, locked in a silent world, whose special needs Johnny always seemed to understand……and his mother, who always nurtured her family, but who now needs a guardian angel of her own.
Through a season of hope and healing, Johnny will walk by his mothers' side, leaving miracles in his wake, leading his parents, his girlfriend, his sister, and his brother out of their grief. But as Alice is about to discover, Johnny has returned not just to help those he loves, but to uncover a purpose even he cannot comprehend--one that will change them all forever."