Our trip to Duke last week was filled with reports on Lee, from Excellent, to Normal, to Great! In fact, his reports were so good that his lovely female doctor just gave him a huge hug before she began her exam and update! After she finished hugging Lee, she turned and hugged me too! We all just stood there laughing and enjoying this special time together like old friends.
I suppose you could say that is indeed what we are. This doctor was the one who had followed Lee from the beginning, before rehabilitation for the transplant and immediately after for the first year. He had, for the past two years, been transferred to other physicians as she continued to remain with those who were new transplants before and after. You can imagine the elation on the part of Lee and this doctor when she expressed her happiness at seeing him looking so well! After she completed her exam and review of all the tests that were done that day, her only advice was for him to exercise more! Two more medicines were reduced and his next visit will be the 2nd week of January, 2014.
After sharing the good news with our children, daughter Julia warned us to not get too complacent, but to continue to be on guard at all times. She reminded us that so much of his good fortune is probably due to the fact that we have continued, during these past three years, to pay attention to our surroundings, to people, to signs of flu, and any contagious condition, and to limit our time in places that would be detrimental to Lee's new lifestyle. It is good to have her remind us when we tend to forget and go about business as usual, or as our lives might have been before his illness and his transplant.
Still, it is so wonderful to see him much like he once was, and to reflect on the goodness of life as it is today. I am reminded that my life, along with our children and grandchildren's lives would have been painfully empty without him these past three years. Lee has often asked me why he was allowed to survive, when so many believed he would not. Of course, I do not have the answer for that, but I have witnessed many happenings during the past two years that have been advantageous to others because Lee is still here! He has been allowed to live to see his two great-grandchildren, and to continue to enjoy the rest of his family. He has made many contributions to others by sharing his story and speaking on behalf of the organ donor foundation. He has not wasted his time at all. He and I both realize the sanctity of life, and we are reminded of this as Lee continues each of his prayers with:
"Thank-you, Lord, for Yet Another Day".
More Later.............................................Brenda
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