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{Straight From the Heart} *The Greatest Gift* 1/5/01
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Today's story is by someone for whom I have the utmost respect and
admiration. (Except that she is a Green Bay Packer Fan...but hey,
we can't all be perfect!) When I found out that Barbie Moorhouse, my friend
and co-worker, was going to donate her kidney to her adopted brother,
and all the circumstances surrounding her situation, I wondered how
many of us would do the same...
If you have never written to a writer on this list before, and you are touched
by her words below, please take a few minutes and let her know how the
story below affected you....
And Barbie, thank you for writing your story and allowing me to share it with
everyone....May God continue to bless you....and I am so sorry that the Packers
didn't make the play-offs this year....
Michael
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The Greatest Gift
By Barbie Moorhouse
Just about everyone loves Christmas. And if you ask, most people will be able to tell you a story about their best Christmas ever. Maybe it was the year that they awoke early on Christmas morning and found a new bike under the tree. Maybe it was the year that they realized that the best thing about Christmas is not what you get....but what you give. It is one of the things I enjoy about this time of year......buying gifts. Not just because I enjoy the toys more than the kids (and I do!), not because I like to spend money, not even because of the Christmas spirit that you see on the faces of people who scurry about trying to find that "perfect gift" for a friend or family member. It is a very personal experience for me as a wander through the store searching for that special something for every person on my list. I spend so much time racking my brain for each one until I can almost visualize the smile on their face when they open their gift on Christmas morning. It is always a challenge, but well worth the effort.
This year is very different for me. Oh, the shopping and gift buying is the same. The feeling that I get when I get home and pull out all the gifts to inspect each one. Even the warm feeling that I get when I say a prayer thanking God for all of the blessings that he has given me each and every day of my life. But one thing is different. With all of the presents wrapped, the tree decorated and the house cleaned and ready for company......one thing is different. I sit in a quiet house and contemplate the greatest gift I will probably ever give...the gift of life.
This past year my brother was diagnosed with a virus that has caused severe damage to his kidneys. It was a blow that didn't really hit home until we started talking about a transplant. Wow, it was one of those things that only happened to someone else. What would we do now? One day a few months ago he told us that he was coming to the UW hospital in Madison, WI for testing. He said that anyone who wished to be considered a potential donor should come to the hospital for testing at the same time. Our whole family was there, my sister, my Dad, my cousin, my aunt, my sister-in-law and her family......eight of us in all. But what were the chances that we would match? After all, my brother and I are adopted......and from different families. I was born in Seattle, WA. He was born in Chicago, IL. My younger sister was born in Stillwater, MN. Still we went through the testing and hoped for the best. It turned out that my sister and I were both a match. Not a perfect match, but still, a match. Now the tough decision. Who would donate? It was a scary thought, donating an organ. It was extremely difficult for my brother. Understandably. How do you ask someone to give you one of their kidneys? I had made the decision much earlier that I wanted to be the one. Even as we all sat at the hospital before we were tested to find out if we would match, I wanted it to be me. I had no idea what I was in for. As the weeks slowly passed, I spoke to my brother several times a week. His condition worsened. If he did not get a transplant soon, he would have to go on dialysis.
I showed up at the UW Hospital the week of Thanksgiving, my sister by my side, for more testing. Would my kidneys be healthy enough to donate? Would I be healthy enough for surgery? I left the hospital and went home and prayed each day waiting for results. Each time I talked to Louie I could sense the growing anticipation in his voice. He was looking forward to a second chance. And I was looking forward to giving him one. The wait seemed agonizing. When we finally got the results, we were overjoyed. I would be able to donate! The transplant coordinator gave us the date. January 25. My heart sank a little. I had hoped for an earlier date so that Louie could avoid dialysis. But when I got off the phone I was overjoyed.....and overwhelmed. I hugged my husband and shed a few tears. My prayers had been answered....it was going to be me. I excitedly called my brother (or maybe he called me, it's hard to remember). We discussed the plans and he asked me the usual question "are you sure this is going to be okay with you?" No doubt about it, I would tell him.
Now the preparation began. I wondered what to expect. I thought about what I would need to bring with me to the hospital and how long I would be there. January 25 seemed so far off. I smiled and thought about my brother starting the new year with a new found hope....and excitement. It must be difficult to be sick for so long. I am thankful that I've never known.
A week passed and one lazy afternoon just before work the phone rang. It was the hospital calling. "We have a cancellation next week, can you make it in for surgery?" I couldn't believe my ears! "Yes!" I hung up the phone and ran to my husband to tell him the good news. We were overjoyed. The phone rang again. It was my brother....he was happy too. We would be able to get in before dialysis.
After I hung up the phone I wasn't sure what to do. All of a sudden I had so much to do in one week. Finish Christmas shopping contact our family and let them know what was happening. But the day before surgery everything else faded into the background. I was packed, the house was clean, our family was on the way. Now it was quiet and everything was in place.
I arrived at the hospital the day before surgery for check in and preparation. Everything went well and I would be going into the operating room at 7:30am. The surgery would take approximately four hours. The last thing I remember was being wheeled out of the elevator. The first thing I remember after surgery was the recovery room. Everything was blurry, but I could hear my brother's voice. He was asking "where is my sister?" I called out his name and I saw him wave. I waved back and then drifted off to sleep once more. I'm not sure but I must have had a smile on my face. Hours later when I woke up in my room again they told me that my brother was doing great and the kidney had started working immediately. What a relief. I felt so weak, but I was still smiling. In the first 24 hours Louie had lost 18 pounds! His new kidney was working overtime to release the fluid that had been trapped in his body. He was so happy! He thanked me again and again, saying that he couldn't believe what a great gift I had given him for Christmas.
After all is said and done, I know who really got the greatest gift of all this year.....
It was me.
Barbie Moorhouse
BABZZZZZ@aol.com
Send Barbie an email and let her know what you thought of her story!
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A little bit about Barbie:
I believe that organ donation is something that more people should be aware of. When I was in the hospital I read many stories about the lives that are saved each year because of it.
I have lived in the Madison, WI area for 12 years now. I grew up in Green Bay, WI home of the world's greatest football team). I am happily married with wonderful step-children and step-grandchildren. In my spare time I am taking flying lessons with the goal of eventually moving to the southwest to become a Border Patrol Pilot. When I'm not at work for the US Postal Service I enjoy spending time with my family and our dog "Chico."
PS. I have been heckling my brother since the surgery because he is a Vikings fan and I've been telling him that he has to be a Packers fan now because he now has a green and gold kidney. :)
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REQUESTS:
From: nadineparkhill@email.msn.com (nadine parkhill)
My son lost his job on the first of January. He has a wife and two
children. The youngest (6) has muscular dystrophy. I ask for prayer for
this family. Thanks.
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From: MLaven@sbasite.com (Monique Laven)
Michael,
Hello, first let me say that I very much enjoy your "Straight from the Heart" e-mail. I've only been on your list for a short while but I've enjoyed all your story's and poems. The reason I'm writing to you is I have a health concern. I'm a 37 year old woman, a little on the large side, and over the holidays I've experienced 2 episodes of chest pain. I'm too young for this and although my weight probably has a lot to do with it, the DR's didn't believe it either. I had to have a stress test done last weekend while staying in the hospital. Fortunately, the stress test results showed that the pains are not my heart. My heart seems healthy, according to that test. Unfortunately, that does not explain the chest pains that I still get. They don't know what is causing them. Please include me in your prayer request so that they can find out what is causing the pains and that it is treatable somehow. It is not something that I want to have to live with. Thanks Michael and God Bless You.
Monique
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From: cheetah@citynet.net (Sherri)
HI,
Just wanted to update everyone on my mom. She had her 3rd Chemo treatment
last Wednesday and on Friday the nausea hit her. She never knows what will
happen after each treatment. Each one has left a different mark on her. As
of today she is doing some better. Just tired and weak. I just wanted to
run this by everyone. Her birthday is Jan. 11 and I thought it would be
nice for anyone that wanted to, to send her a birthday card with their
thoughts and prayers in it. She knows that I have had prayer chains going
everywhere for her and she has been thrilled with that. She does not have a
computer so the cards would have to go snail mail. I will list her address
at the bottom for those who are interested in this. I also want to thank
everyone for their continued prayer and for the emails I have received
letting me know they are praying. There is no distance in prayer and God
hears each and every one of them. I will continue to post updates and I
really appreciate Michael doing all this for I know it takes up his time
too. We are blessed to have him and his Straight From the Heart messages.
Here is my mothers address:
Linda Pursley
Rt. 2, Box 139
Ravenswood, WV 26164
God Bless You All,
Sherri Stahlman
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Thought For The Day:
Any plant growing in the wrong place is a "weed."- Farmers Almanac
Verse for the Day:
"But in fact God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as
He wanted them to be." - 1 Corinthians 12:18
Kid's Thought For The Day:
"Shoes that have flashing lights on the soles may not make you run faster, but they
sure make going places a lot more fun!"
Parent's Thought For The Day:
"The reason home schooling works is the teacher can administer whatever
discipline is necessary."
Coach's Thought For The Day:
"Ain't no chance if you don't take it." - Guy Clark
Deep Thought For The Day:
"I don't care how much you and your cat love each other, if you were one
inch smaller than the sweet little kitty, he'd eat you in a heartbeat."
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_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
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