Pictures

Often, those who are going through tragic illness or injury will chronicle their journey with pictures, capturing the moment's early days, along with the daily or weekly progress. I personally think this is a great idea, especially when we are able to sit down later and look back at all the family endured--the ups and downs, the highs and the lows--revealing the power and strength of 'family' and the support of 'community'.

However, our family has never been the greatest at taking pictures, especially while visiting the hospital. Therefore, I have no intensive care pictures to post, no pre-op or post-op snapshots to remember the moment. But I guarantee, for those who were there, the moment is forever burned into their memory. The only one who has no memory of how I looked in the intensive care unit following surgery is me.

The memories I have burned in my mind are the looks on the faces of my loved ones, the love (and pain) in their eyes, the touch of their hands, their faces carefully pressed against mine so as not to disturb hoses and lines, the kisses on my forehead, and the non-spoken gestures of love and affection. I remember the pain I felt seeing the pain in them, and I hated seeing them like that. When I sit down and take the walk alone down that road, I am always moved to tears as I reflect with the utmost gratitude and thankfulness for those days, for the love that surrounded me and still does, for those God has so lovingly placed in my path, surrounding me with such love and support. It truly is overwhelming at times.

Oh my, back to pictures! (sniff) Occasionally, I run across a picture that captures the state of the illness at that particular moment, and when I do, I will post them here. Until then, this is about all I have so far. I need to do some digging. See, just as we're not good with pictures, I am also not real good with organizing pictures.  :(

This picture was actually taken a few weeks after I'd had a severe rejection, spending Thanksgiving through New Year's Day in the hospital. This rejection took me nearly a year and a half to fully recover. It was my second rejection about 18 months following the transplant. I'd had one minor rejection the year before caused by a mild case of the flu in which I spent only a few days in the hospital and recovered very quickly. This one was devastating, caused by a violent reaction to the flu vaccination encouraged by my doctor. I no longer take the flu vaccine.











2015 DONATE LIFE - ROSE PARADE FLOAT

It was truly an honor to be chosen to ride the DONATE LIFE float with other Oklahomans as well as others around the country. Though it was a four-hour ride, it seemed to go by in about 4 minutes. Such an amazing experience!

https://shariengland.blogspot.com/2015/01/2015-rose-parade-blessed-beyond-measure.html?spref=fb