The Blessings of Perseverance



“Blessed is the man who perseveres” (James 1:12 NIV).

You probably have never heard of a man named Thomas Starzl? 

Thomas Starzl became interested in organ transplants as a surgery resident in medical school. In 1958 (the year before I was born), he sewed new livers into dogs whose livers had been removed, but all of them died within two days of the operation. A year later, he found a way to stabilize circulation, and the dogs lived for a week. 

In March 1963, he performed the first human liver transplant, but his patient bled to death. That failure, and the hepatitis epidemic that spread through artificial transplant centers worldwide during the 1960s, forced his liver transplant program to be abandoned. 

But Starzl refused to quit. 

In 1968, Starzl reported the results from new transplant trials. All seven children involved had survived, although four died within six months—an encouraging, but not stellar result. 

By 1975, only two liver transplant programs were left in the world. Twenty-three years after he first began, Starzl and his team found success: nineteen out of twenty-two patients lived for long periods.

And aren’t you glad he did. 

Today, liver transplants are routinely performed around the world and people who had no hope are now living happy and productive lives. So, whatever your assignment in life, 

“Stand firm. Let nothing move you.” 

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Cor. 15:58

Paying it Forward!

One of the things I enjoy most is to be able to pay it forward with those who are in the transplant process. During my own process, and the many admissions into the hospital, I had been visited by some of the most wonderful people who also had experienced a liver transplant. They not only shared their story with me, but helped me with ways to approach this new life, assisting me with ideas to keep the new regimen of prescriptions straight, warning me of side effects, dos, don'ts and don't worry about its, and so on. NZTIIntegris Baptist, and LifeShare Oklahoma are very good about connecting people with whom they believe can be of help.

On days I am in for my routine check ups, I always allow time to go upstairs to the transplant wing to see if there is anyone there who is up for a visit, or even perhaps they are down and would welcome prayer. I am  honored to do both. I live two hours from the hospital, but it is my plan to attempt at least one visit a month, possibly even two if schedules permit.

Please know that if you have a loved one, or know of someone in any hospital, within a reasonable distance, I would love to come visit with them. Don't hesitate to drop me a line in the CONTACT ME box on the bottom left of the blog.



The Lighter Side (of organ transplant)

I just added a new page to the blog called "The Lighter Side". On this page, I share a few stories that brought humor into an otherwise bleak season of life. I've also included others that we just more memorable than humorous. Hope you enjoy!

Click the link below or in the PAGES column on the left side of the blog.