Seven years ago today
I was sitting in the Station 10 surgical waiting room of Abbott Northwestern Hospital with my family waiting to hear from the surgeons that they had successfully completed the transplantation of a new heart into my twelve year old son Turner. I can’t be sure of the time (because everything was a blur), but in the early afternoon we got the good news. The new heart was in, and the kid was resting comfortably in his post-op bed. We saw him later that night and took him home a mere five days later. Can yo believe that? Five days after a heart transplant he was home. Young people heal fast.
Today Turner is a 19 year old student at the University of Minnesota. He’s a smart, healthy, athletic kid. I’m going over to The U to have lunch with him today. We like to recognize this day as one of a celebration for our family, but as one of sadness for the family who made the difficult decision to donate the heart of their 14 year old son who had been killed by a drunk driver.
I’m grateful on April 6 for the friends and family that helped my family get through that difficult time in our life. I’m grateful for having health insurance. Blue Cross & Blue Shield were amazing to us. I’m grateful to all of the people at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. They were the best. I’m grateful to God for the gift of these seven additional years with Turner. And maybe most of all, I’m grateful for Turner’s spirit and will to live. He suffered and persevered to live. On April 6, on every day really, I’m glad he did.
