I continued with work. Sent a bulletin and an email asking for prayer. Made some phone calls. And felt an intense fear rush through every nerve in my body.
I'll need to give you some background for this to make sense. My sister Chanda and I are 10 years apart. If you have read My Testimony on my page (yes I know it is long...but well worth the read…God rocks) you will surmise what kind of upbringing we had. The day my sister was born my dad was burying his dad in King George, VA. My mom had to have an emergency C-section but before she went under the knife she asked me to count my sister's fingers and toes and make sure she was healthy when she came out. My parents had 3 miscarriages before Chanda was born so I took my mom's comments literally at that age. When the doctor brought her out and let me hold her I refused to let go until fingers, toes, and health were accounted for. She was and is a miracle.
When she was 12 she got sick and that was the first time I got a phone call that she was dying and that I needed to book a plane ticket. Since that time I have had similar phone calls 4 other times. I don't recommend it to anyone. To this day if my mom calls at an odd time…my heart stops. Chanda was diagnosed with kidney failure that was probably progressing since she was born and it was never caught (Air Force brats...need I say more?). She went from a kid that screamed whenever she was near a needle to someone forced to give herself shots in the stomach and be on dialysis every night in her bedroom. She was sick all the time and missed a lot of school. As a result it was difficult for her to make friends so I became in her own words… her best friend.
She had her first transplant at 14. We were elated. Until 2 years later her body rejected it and she nearly died again. This time the damage was so bad doctors literally had to remove both kidneys. She has been surviving on dialysis every other day for 4 hours for the past few years. Without it. She dies. Certainly not a normal life for a teenager...but a reality for her. She still can't even work because what job will give you 4 hours off per day every other day?
A little over a year ago a series of events happened that shocked us all. Christa had a prophetic dream that my sister would be healed. The next week Candice…a stranger… walked into my moms church and said that God had sent her to donate her kidney to someone. She asked around and met my mom and sister. She was tested and she was a perfect match (which is rare). Then we had a setback. Candice had medical problems that needed taking care of before they would consider her. She has done so and we were just told this week that she is back in the running to donate her kidney to my sister.
Then today we got the phone call that someone else's kidney is ready for my sister.
To say that I am perplexed is an understatement. We have been through so many ups and downs over the years. From getting "the call' that a kidney was available only to find out it wasn't to incredibly painful tear-filled sessions with doctors asking "why" and "what is taking so long". I was tested for over a year and found to be a suitable donor until they found out some distant relative has diabetes and discounted me.
Through it all I have trusted God. I don't know what He is doing in this. But I trust Him.
I left the office for lunch today to pray for my sister, the surgeons, my mother, the nurses etc. I ended up crying buckets of tears, sharing my fears with Him, and singing (literally) His praises. Kristen asked me once if God took my sister would I still trust Him? In thinking about this risky surgery today…even through the tears I still say yes.
Please pray for her. She is my kid sister whose toes I counted and diapers I changed. She is my pillow fight partner. She is the annoying little sister I used to wanna beat. She is my funny bone and such a part of me. She is my example of bravery. I can't imagine my life without her.
Like Tinker and Jesse you guys don't hear me talk about this a lot but it is such a part of me. Constantly. I don't want to harp on how terrible this has been for my family. Because God's mercy and grace have been so much better. We have gotten to see what real love and support is from our family and friends. We have gotten to speak encouragement into other people's lives…even sitting in hospital waiting rooms. And for that I thank God.
This verse from Psalm 42 has been my comfort over the past 2 hours
For deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me"
Although my flesh wants everything in the world to stop turning and everyone to concentrate on my sister right now...I know that God is Soverign...still Holy...and He holds her in His arms. He is refreshing me and washing away my fears with His deep love.
We covet your prayers.
Much love!