A Selfless Gift

This week as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, there are so many things I am grateful for (more on that later). But there is one thing that I am especially thankful for this year, my sister in law, Heidi.

One month ago today, Mark's dad, Ron, had a kidney transplant. The donor, Mark's sister, Heidi. By almost all accounts, the surgery has a complete success. Ron is doing wonderfully. He has more energy and his incision is healing nicely. The doctors have been so please with his recovery, that they have already started to decrease the immune suppressant drugs. Ron looks years younger and has the energy to match. It is incredible, and for that we are forever thankful to Heidi.

The transplant has been a little more difficult for Heidi. There has been a very rare complication with her arm. During the surgery, her arm was positioned in a way that caused nerve damage. She woke up from surgery unable to use her left arm. She is slowly regaining movement, but it is a long road and will be months before she will have full function. It has been a frustrating journey for Heidi, but her strength and grace through it all has been inspirational. Besides her arm, Heidi is recovering beautifully.

When you talk to Heidi, she will say that giving her father her kidney was "nothing", that it was never a question of whether she should do it or not. It was a given. But for Ron, and the rest of the family, it is everything. A new lease on life, and definitely better quality of life for Ron.

I cannot express the depth of our gratitude. Thank you Heidi for you sacrifice. You are your dad's hero. We are forever grateful.

Ron & Lucille (Mark's mom) with Heidi & Jim (Heidi's husband)

I also want to thank everyone who has been praying for Ron & Heidi and our family. We are very grateful for your support and love.