"Kidney Donation Update"
Hey everyone. I just wanted to let everyone know that I've been discharged from the hospital and am back at my hotel room. I'm staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Scottsdale, AZ. It's only been about 34 hours since the surgery. I was up out of the bed 30 minutes after coming out of the recovery room. Those of you that know me know that I'm pretty stubborn. I'm having some pain, but it's a small price to pay. Honestly, I'm doing great!
Masud Khondoker (the kidney recipient) is also doing great! The doctors said that when they removed my left kidney, it was one of the largest, healthiest ones they'd ever seen. As soon as they put the kidney in Masud, he started producing large amounts of urine. By the time he got to his room, he already looked 100% better than before surgery. His skin had gotten very dark and blotchy b/c of the toxins in his blood. Now his skin is back to normal. Almost all of his kidney tests are completely normal.
I've also passed all of my tests. The only restrictions I have are to not play any contact sports ever (no problem with that) and don't take Ibuprofen if possible. I can live with that. Of course, I can't lift anything for a couple of months.
Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm ok, he's ok, and I'm already "back to work" from my hotel room. Thank you for all your prayers!
Melissa Swanson
Masud Khondoker (the kidney recipient) is also doing great! The doctors said that when they removed my left kidney, it was one of the largest, healthiest ones they'd ever seen. As soon as they put the kidney in Masud, he started producing large amounts of urine. By the time he got to his room, he already looked 100% better than before surgery. His skin had gotten very dark and blotchy b/c of the toxins in his blood. Now his skin is back to normal. Almost all of his kidney tests are completely normal.
I've also passed all of my tests. The only restrictions I have are to not play any contact sports ever (no problem with that) and don't take Ibuprofen if possible. I can live with that. Of course, I can't lift anything for a couple of months.
Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm ok, he's ok, and I'm already "back to work" from my hotel room. Thank you for all your prayers!
Melissa Swanson
Labels: Arizona, Bossier City, calling all kidneys, ethics, kidney, kidney donation, kidney transplant, living donors online, Louisiana, nephrectomy
posted by Melissa Swanson at 5:51 PM
Melissa is a student, a working mom, and the mother of 4 boys (ages 4, 7, 8, and 10). She is costantly fueled by the tenacity of her boys and their ability to make her laugh! What they say is true, "Laughter is the best medicine!"
10 Comments:
Hi Melissa:
This is John, from WAY back! Well, from a few months back, anyway. lol!
I just saw the article in the paper the other day and decided to leave a message. :)
I think what you've done is incredibly wonderful! I have prayed that the Almighty God, Jesus Christ, would bless you greatly for your sacrifice. I pray that through this you will come to know Him in a deeper, more fulfilling way than you ever have before. I pray that people would see your sacrifice and desire to do the same in some way, shape or form.
God bless you during your recovery and trip home. May He fill your life as never before!!
John
Thanks for thinking about me. Glad you are doing well!
Just curious....is this family Christian? If not, has there been any talk about this?
You're actually the first person that has asked me about their religion. I honestly believe they are Muslim.
I told them that I didn't really care what their religion was. That's between them and their God. We do frequently talk about "God". I know that they pray with me. So, I'm not sure if they're practicing or not.
I just know that they are wonderful people. They have gone above and beyond for me and my family.
Hey Melissa:
Please don't think that their possibly being Muslim has anything to do with whether I think what you did was acceptable or not. There is NOTHING further from the truth. I don't care what someone believes or doesn't believe when it comes to helping them. The Lord didn't ask me to check if their belief was "right" before helping them. :)
But, I asked because maybe this would be a great time to introduce them to the true God -- Jesus Christ? What greater thing than to not only improve this man's physical life but also his prospects of an eternal one? :)
John
Oh, I didn't think you meant that. I was kind of addressing the issue for others that may have a problem with it.
I agree that it's probably a good time. I'll have to find out more about their beliefs.
I pray that the Lord will give you the opportunity to speak to them about this, along with the knowledge of what to say, and that they will eventually be lead to truth. :)
I've never been one to "confront" anyone's beliefs. It's definitely not my area of expertise. I need to get myself back into church first. I think that once we get closer, they will tell me more. Until then, I wouldn't even know what to say.
I don't look at it as "confronting" people anymore. If I am a Christian, then I have been commissioned by my "Boss" to do a number of things for and because of Him. One of them is to be a light unto the world of the truth that brings eternal life. I don't "confront"; I only obey. If my heart is right and my desire is for His Kingdom to grow, then HE will open up the opportunity. I've seen Him do it way more than once.
Just be open to being used, Melissa. I'm not sure what you mean by getting back "into church", but God can use anyone at anytime. All He needs is a willing vessel. He will even use someone who is not "right" with Him to propogate His plan. That's how awesome He is.
Of course, don't rule out that He is not using this event for multiple reasons. I've come to see that He is VERY economical when it comes to "why" He allows and does things in our lives. There are usually multiple (if not infinite) reasons. :)
You and this family were in my prayers this afternoon before church. Not that I am anything other than willing, but I will do what I can to help. All you gotta do is ask. I won't butt in your business. :)
God bless!
John
John,
I definitely am ok with being used by God for whatever he needs me for. I think I was chosen to donate my kidney. Otherwise, I would have never been a perfect match for someone from another part of the world. The chances are just too slim that we would run across each other the same day on the same website.
Why don't you email me. My email is melswanson@gannett.com
Done. Get it?
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