From 8 years old my older sister, who I always looked up to and admired, battled pancreatitis. This left her hospitalized time after time with severe pain, nausea and vomiting. She went through stages were things were better, but eventually it progressed. She went away to college and a little problem which was a previous nusiance became a constant companion. At this time she began a steady decline. She was on feeding tubes to maintain nutrition. Whispers of nursing home or hospice care were passed through the air. Fears of an impending funeral caused plans to be made.
"Tell your sister goodbye. It might be your last chance," my parents urged each one of us. I remember whispering in her ear how much I loved and admired her. Then through a miracle time after time the next day came and I still had a sister. I had a sister. She may have been confined to a bed or had multiple tubes protruding from her body in an attempt to sustain life. Many prayers, fasting, and priesthood blessings brought a great miracle into our life.
Dr. David Sutherland.
This man is a pioneer in medicine. He developed a surgery to remove the pancreas and transplant the islet cells which produce insulin to the liver. Radical at the time, it was our last ditch effort. Plans were made for her to travel to University of Minnesota to have a total panreatectomy with auto islet cell transplant. 2 weeks before her preop appointment she was struck by a car going 40 mph while crossing the street. Miracle of miracles she made it with a concussion and some bruising.
She went to Minnesota and was approved for the operation which took place 6 years ago today. March 10, 2003 will always been known to me as the day I got my sister back.
Many people question why? The lesson's learned from her life and the lives touched because of her diligence during such difficult times is why.
She went on to run in NCAA Conference just a few months following surgery.
She now is a mother and expecting her second child.
I would never trade all the years of worry, loneliness, and longing for a "normal" sister. How else would I be able to do so well on all my med/surg tests ;) I possess so much gratitude for the lessons learned from these experiences in my life. They've helped create the person I am today!
Dr. David Sutherland.
This man is a pioneer in medicine. He developed a surgery to remove the pancreas and transplant the islet cells which produce insulin to the liver. Radical at the time, it was our last ditch effort. Plans were made for her to travel to University of Minnesota to have a total panreatectomy with auto islet cell transplant. 2 weeks before her preop appointment she was struck by a car going 40 mph while crossing the street. Miracle of miracles she made it with a concussion and some bruising.
She went to Minnesota and was approved for the operation which took place 6 years ago today. March 10, 2003 will always been known to me as the day I got my sister back.
Many people question why? The lesson's learned from her life and the lives touched because of her diligence during such difficult times is why.
She went on to run in NCAA Conference just a few months following surgery.
She now is a mother and expecting her second child.
I would never trade all the years of worry, loneliness, and longing for a "normal" sister. How else would I be able to do so well on all my med/surg tests ;) I possess so much gratitude for the lessons learned from these experiences in my life. They've helped create the person I am today!
3 comments:
Incredible. Seriously. Thank you for teaching me so much!
Yeah I'm glad that you got your sister back to Crystal is one in a million.. It is too bad that she had to suffer that much.. I had no idea... She is amazing to have dealt with it all and most of the time she probably had a smile on her face.. What a trooper.. When is the second baby due?
Sadly she lost the baby this past week, but still remains a definate trooper!
Post a Comment