Yesterday Rob went up to Harrisburg Hospital for two days of outpatient testing. He is 100% healthy (we think), but his sister, Kathy, is not.
For the past couple of years, Rob's sister has been living with a kidney disease (IGA Nephropathy). This past fall she was hospitalized and it was determined that she was in kidney failure with only 5% total kidney function. Since then she has been going through dialysis 3 times a week, and we have all been learning about kidney transplant options.
Without a living and willing donor, Rob's sister would need to wait years before having a transplant. Most likely that kidney would come from someone who recently died. There are some important factors to consider with transplant. First, the longer you wait the less effective the transplant may be. Second, a kidney from a living donor lasts twice as long as a kidney from someone who has passed away.
So, Rob's gut reaction was "I'll donate one of my kidneys," and to be honest I'm right there with him. We love Kathy and can't imagine life here without her. I think it's great that my wonderful husband can do something out of love for his big sister, and we have been praying and continue to pray about this possibility.
This of course doesn't mean we don't have some anxiety, but we are ready for donating. This is a fairly low risk surgery for Rob, but it is surgery with the need for recovery time. It is natural to have some fear. the surgery will be much more extensive for Kathy, but getting her life back to a better normal will be so good!
We could dwell on so many "why" and "what if" questions, and we have asked them. But we serve a mighty God! We trust that He will be the one to carry us all through each and every day whether those days are easy or hard.
We could ask why Rob's sister is going through this, but we know God's truth.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. -Isaiah 55:8-9
We could be panicked over both Rob and his sister's outcomes, but again, we know God's truth.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? -Romans 8:31
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ -Philippians 3:20
We have peace.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:7
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. -John 12:27
Peace doesn't mean we don't have concerns. So, please pray.
- Pray for Kathy and her health.
- Pray for our entire family (Rob's parents, both sisters and extended families included) to develop a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior in the midst of this trial and other trials in our life right now as well.
-Pray for Rob as he feels overwhelmed with wanting to be healthy enough to donate and wanting to donate this summer. Sometimes it's hard to wait on God's timing.
-Pray for all of us not to worry.
-Pray for the doctors to make good decisions in regards to Rob's health and ability to actually donate the kidney.
-Pray for whoever will be donating their kidney to Kathy since Rob and Kathy aren't a match this will be a paired exchange donation where Rob gives to someone else and another person gives to Kathy.
Lastly, pray for Kathy & Rob's dad who is battling a brain tumor right now. A lot is going on, but God has everyone in His hands and where they need to be.
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| Rob and his sister's and parents |
