Prayer Request
I belong to a number of writing groups and participate in writing forums. In one of them, another writer by the name of Deb, is requesting prayers for a member of her family. Here’s her story:
Just before Christmas, my brother in law (ex, really, the only one of my ex’s family who bothered to keep in contact and check in with me occasionally to see how *I* was dealing with things) was told that without a new heart, he wouldn’t make it through January. And at 68, with his health problems, the odds of a heart going to him were extremely slim.
Exactly one week ago, his kidneys started failing under the weight of his other health problems, and they moved him to #1 on the waiting list for a new heart. Again, they made it clear to him that even *if* a heart became available, it might skip him if it was a suitable match to someone younger and with a better chance on the list. Not only that - it was very possible that a heart would not become available in time to save his life.
He literally had not left the hospital when the call came in that there was a possible donor and they turned him around and took him right up to surgery to prep on the chance it would be a suitable heart. Miracle #1.
It was a perfect match. Miracle #2.
There was no one else on the high priority list who could have used the heart. Miracle #3.
On the table, ready to crack him open, the surgeons hesitated. He’s undergone no less than 6 open heart operations in the past fifteen years. They explained to my sister in law that there was a serious risk that his chest or abdominal cavity would not handle the strain and might collapse. They decided to take the risk.
By 3 pm Friday afternoon, Phil had a new heart and was in recovery. By 8 pm he was awake and in critical care. By midnight, he was awake and asking my sister in law to make him a boiled dinner because he was by damn going to eat something he hadn’t been able to have in years. I’d stopped counting miracles.
Since I’m not technically ‘part of the family’, I’ve been keeping up through the grace of my children (whose favorite uncle he is) and my ex-husband. By Sunday, he was sitting up and they took him off the ventilator. Tuesday he took his first walk down the hall. As of yesterday, though, he’s developed pneumonia. They’re treating it, but it’s putting a strain on the new heart. So.. I guess I’m asking for one more small miracle - prayers, please? Whatever kind and style you believe in - we’d all be deeply grateful for them.
Prayers, no matter what religion you are, are very appreciated. Deb, you guys are in our hearts!
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