My Amazing Mom

I have so much to update everyone on from January, but I want to devote this special post to my amazing mom.  In the next few days I will try to post pictures and let everyone know about our "snowcation", my 3 week sickness, and what we've been up to this month.

This past Thursday my mom made the ultimate sacrifice and donated a kidney to someone from her church.  About 7 months ago, she came to me and told me that she was planning on donating a kidney to someone in her church that needed a kidney transplant.  She felt as though God was leading her to do this. Naturally, I was immediately sick with worry and could not understand why she wanted to do this for someone that was not a family member.  However, we all know that when God is telling you to do something, it's probably in your best interest to listen.  My mom immediately felt peace about the situation and went to get tested and of course she was a match.  So we have been preparing and praying for the last 7 months about this big procedure.

I went down Wednesday night to spend the night at my parents house because we had to leave at 5 a.m. for Emory Hospital.  My Aunt Gini went with us as she was planning on staying in the hospital overnight with my mom.  As we arrived, I was finally introduced to the "recipient" of her kidney and his wife.  We all waited in the consultation room and were introduced to a husband and wife couple that had the same surgery 4 years ago and were now volunteers for the hospital.  They gave us lots of information about the surgery and what to expect afterwards.  The next thing I knew, they were sweeping my mom away for the surgery.  We all gathered up to pray over both my mom and the "recipient" and then I immediately lost it.  I mean this is my mom we are talking about.  She is my best friend and biggest supporter, and I just can't imagine the thought of not having her here in my "earthly" life.  I am so thankful that we are a Christian family and that we have faith in God and know that he leads our lives.  I sat anxiously waiting that morning for them to come out and tell me that she was going to be just fine.

Finally, the doctor came out with a big smile on her face and said that everything went great and that she had a beautiful kidney! HALLELUJAH!!!!  I was so relieved and then we continued to wait to here how the recipient would receive the kidney.  By the end of the day everything went just as God had planned.  The recipient took to mom's kidney wonderfully and they both started the recovery process.  My mom got to come home from the hospital yesterday and is still experiencing some pain but is healing nicely.  It will be a long process for both of them, but what an amazing story of how God used my mom to save someone's life! I couldn't be prouder to say that I have the best mom ever!!!

I took some pictures of my mom in the hospital, but she probably wouldn't want me posting those.  And just to show where her loyalities lie, the first thing she said when they wheeled her into the room was "There's my grandaughter Lilly," referring to Lilly's picture that we put up in her room.  She had a few pictures and cards and things that she wanted put up in her room.  Of course, she wanted to see her Lilly so we put up her picture and a little handprint that Lilly painted for her.  Tommy also brought her a beautiful bouquet of "pink lillies" for her room (this is one of the reasons I love my husband so much).  I'm so glad she is at home and recovering! Now, if I could just start feeling normal again everything would be great!