Sorry no pictures today girls....I've been busy but I wanted to take a moment to mention something that is really important to me......BEING AN ORGAN DONOR!
My Dad has battled heart conditions since I was little, having heart attack after heart attack...some major and some minor but all the same each one damaged his heart. He had bypass surgery, stints, defibulaters...you name he's had it done. About 9 1/2 years ago he had another attack and became very very ill.....he was basically put on life support because his heart was giving out. My sister and I were told by the doctors to stay close, they didn't think he would make it....it would be a matter of days.
It then was suggested that he be put on the heart transplant waiting list....they evalute new patients and older ones on the list every Friday (here in Dallas) and put them on according how sick they are. That Friday, my dad was put on the list at the top spot. Friday night, he's difibulater had shocked his heart even while he was on support that was pumping his heart....it just didn't look good at all. Saturday night, I received a call from the transplant cooridnater saying they had a heart for my dad....we couldn't believe it! We gathered all our stuff up as soon as we could so we could see him before they took him into surgery. Close to 10 hours later, he was out and being put in a room in ICU. I won't go in to his recovery, but he's doctor calls him his miracle patient.
Later on, we found out the heart was from a 14 year old boy who had been sick. The boy and his family are truely angels sent from above....they gave the gift of life to my father who would not be here today if they had not. He would not have met his granddaughters or seen his daughters get married if it hadn't been for their gift! It's hard for me to convey what they mean to me.....they saved my Dad's life and I'm forever grateful to them.
I wanted to give you guys some stats on people waiting for transplants:
* 15 people pass away a day who are on the list waiting for an organ
* 13 people are added a day to the waiting list
* 1 person who becomes an organ donor can save the lives of 8 people waiting to receive an organ
My Dad was a rare case.....he did receive a heart quickly because he was ranked as the priority and the heart that was received matched him perfectly.....a miracle within it's self. Most people have to wait 3 month to receive an organ and for many people, that is too long so please become an organ donor.......make sure you regsistrar with the DPS and it's on your driver's license and also, make sure your family knows your wishes as well. Even if you are signed up to be one, if one family member says no, that's it, they will not donate your organs.
Here's a wonderful site that you should check out, it's full of great information about becoming a donor and the story of Lisa Landry Childress.
The first 10 people that tell me that they have discussed becoming an organ donor with their loved ones and have a donor card and/or checked yes on their license, I will send you my actions. I can't check so I'm taking your word for it! LOL!!
