My doctor visit back to the Kansas Orthopaedic Center in Wichita was a good one. Seemed so very strange to go in for a 7:15 a.m. appointment and hey, at least I had the pick of parking spots and the comfiest of the waiting room's chairs. As I opened the door to go inside, I couldn't help but notice the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the south east corner of the waiting room. Wow, to think of all the time that had passed since I first walked in there in early August, now going on nearly 5 months ago. Flip flops were the standard "foot cover" back in those hot "dog days" of summer and now, well now you'd better hope for something a little bit more substantial on your feet and hey, on the rest of you for that matter.
In no time at all, I was back in the x-ray room doing what "old lefty" does REALLY good by now, getting a photo taken. Today's set of pictures, the 6th ones taken so far, were to help Dr. Chan to determine whether or not the surgery from August 10th has had enough time to substantially heal before doing the next procedure. I knew that unless they looked remarkably well enough that there would be a chance he would say "no" to having the surgery soon. Once again though, I trusted his good judgement without even hesitating. He knows what is best for his patients. Dr. Chan is the one guy I would never "second guess".
While I was in Dr. Chan's office, he took a look at the x-rays and made the pronouncement that "old lefty" was "good to go" for the surgery. I told him about the pain that I sometimes have when I use my left hand and after looking at the x-rays, he could tell why. The arthritis, a natural result of the injuries my hand and wrist received, was getting worse rather quickly. He told me of his plan to go in and shorten up the ulna by a few inches, pin the two parts together and then go ahead to excise the small bone that had reattached itself "helter skelter" to the wrist area. Thankfully and "praise the Lord", he will also do a carpal tunnel release and here's hoping that will take care of the numb feeling in my hand and fingers.
Of course, he gave me the expected news...at least 8 weeks in a long-arm cast are in store for me. They absolutely do not want the elbow to be bending during this first stage of healing and even though I'd rather not be wearing one, it won't be forever. All in all, a very predictable dr. appointment, just as I figured it would be. And then I drove home and found the very "unexpected"..... I met Eleanor~
I have spoken many times about the day I received the gift of a donor's bone as Dr. Chan and his team tried their best to put my "Humpty Dumpty" left arm back together. I was totally unaware that it was even a possibility for me. Heck, I never even knew that a person could donate their bones upon their death. But I sure learned that lesson quickly along with about a thousand others.
Such a bitter-sweet and overwhelming feeling to be told that, because in someone's death they decided to donate what they could so that others could lead a normal life, that my arm had been repaired. As long as I live, until the very last breath I take and my eyes close for the last time, I will never forget the feeling that I had when I heard that news in the recovery room. With tear-filled eyes, I reached over with my right hand and hugged the portion of my left arm that I supposed the donor's bone to be at within my own arm. And I sent whoever that unknown person was a message from my heart-"Thank you for caring about me, thank you for saving me. And I love you."
My donor, identified only by a string of numbers on the envelope I was given from the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, remained a mystery to me. I remember as I lay there for the first few minutes "soaking up" the news of this marvelous and blessed gift, I wondered who it might have been. That's when the name of Eleanor popped into my head and I began to have this very strong feeling that the name of Eleanor must have something to do with my donor. And so, that gift of life became known to me and anyone who knew me as "Eleanor". Here we are below:
It had been nearly 5 months now since the accident and subsequent surgery had happened. Even though I had written a letter to the family of the person who had donated their bone to me, I had not heard back. You know, even though I was a little sad to never know who it was that had helped me, I understood and I respected their decision to not say anything. I never expected to know anything more....that is at least until this afternoon.
Today, I received an email from a contact person that I have been working with in regards to the bone transplant and that email contained the sweetest 8 words that I believe I will ever read in this life.......it read, "He was a 45-year old male from Missouri." You know friends, I didn't cry when I read them but I am right now and my heart is full of love and compassion for an unknown stranger and his family who truly gave me the gift of a new arm. For me, it's about as humbling of an experience as I have ever been privileged to go through. I give thanks to God for sending me through it.
I may never know his name, but it really doesn't matter now. The information that I have is enough for me and if the family should choose to contact me in the future, well then I would be most happy. I had given up hope of ever hearing anything but in God's perfect time, I was shown what I needed to know.
I have thought much about this man in the past few hours. Whoever he was, he was someone's little baby boy once. Perhaps he was someone's brother or uncle, husband or boyfriend, perhaps a child's father or maybe even someone's grandpa. You know, I'll bet he was someone's best friend and maybe the kindest next door neighbor a person could ever want. Man, think of the possibilities.
I wonder, was there anything about him that was like me? Did he ever listen to the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young? Was his favorite song "Suite Judy Blue Eyes"? Perhaps he hated olives as much as I do and who knows, maybe he liked riding bikes too! Whoever this man was, he is a hero to me now. And as I say over and over and over again, when I die, I wish to go in the same manner as this man from Missouri did-with eyes shut but a heart wide open!
I have had so many people ask me things about organ, bone, and tissue transplants since I received mine back in August. I'm still learning a lot about them and will gladly pass along any information that I could possibly get. In the meantime, if you want to learn more about how to donate organs upon your own death, please visit the website of the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation at www.mtf.org There is a wealth of information there and they have the answers to so many frequently asked questions about organ and tissue donation. As always, please remember that the decision to donate organs or tissue upon your death is a very personal one. For those that choose to say "no" to it, I respect your decision. If you are interested in donating your organs and tissue, then please learn as much about it as you possibly can. There are so many people waiting and, sadly, dying each day to receive a transplant.
For now, part of the mystery is solved for me and on Thursday morning, when I head into surgery once again, I'll be taking "Eleanor" with me. My spirits are good, my mind is set, I am not afraid and I know God will be with me. And if I have all of that, geesch, what else would I need? Good night my friends and take of yourselves always!
"No greater love hath a man than this, that he would lay down his life for his friend."
(from the Good Book-John, Chapter 15, verse 13)
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