Friday, September 05, 2008

Saying Goodbye

I rent condos to patients of the Mayo Clinic who are going through Liver or Lung transplants. Since my husband had a liver transplant, we feel like we can help others in a way that many cannot. I love getting new families because it usually means that someone has left my condo rental with a new lease on life.

Today the family that I just welcomed two weeks ago has gone home. The doctors gave him the news that he was just not going to be helped by having a transplant. I'm thinking that the previous surgeries and the problems with this liver were just too much for his body and he probably couldn't handle the surgery.

In my eyes, Mayo is the healer and makes miracles happen. It is so hard for me to believe that they couldn't help this man. I do believe that they did all they could and that the conclusions they came to were probably the best - it is still hard to comprehend.

This family was different. I totally fell for them. I only knew them for a few hours but I was hooked. I wanted to know them forever. I was invested in their healing, as I am in all my renters, but I felt a real connection. So this news is hitting real hard.

When I got the news that they were leaving, he said that he was leaving in an hour. I decided that I would go a few hours later to pick up the key - that I'd just let him go without me crying all over him. Turns out he took a bit longer and he was pulling out of the driveway just as I was pulling in. I got to see him afterall. We talked for just a few minutes but as I turned to leave he said... "Thanks for coming into my life."

I feel so blessed. He is facing I don't know what, but he said to me - Thanks for coming into his life. I am thankful for him coming into mine.
I couldn't say a thing back, he had already rolled up the window and pulled away.

Thanks for coming into my life. I will never forget that.

Kristin

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I happened on your site through a google hit for lung transplant. I was touched by your post. Transplant has touched our lives as our daughter had a double lung transplant three years ago. Helping others out with housing during transplant is an amazing thing to do. May you be blessed greatly by what you are doing for others.
Debra
www.geocities.com/debgabehart
(Christena's Transplant Journey)

Kristin - The Goat said...

Thank you Debra. I've read up a little on your family's adventure. You have been truly blessed as well. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Kristin

"J" said...

Awwwwwwwwwwww, that brings tears to my eyes!!!! I feel so sad for that! =( I am glad that you did get to see him! I hate to hear there was noting they could do!!!! =(

You are so sweet!!!!
I hope he has many wonderful days in his life and this doesn't wear him down!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope he doesn't give up! I hope he is strong!!! I hope his family is strong!!!

Anonymous said...

That was so touching. thank you for sharing it. I don't know if I could do it. I say that, but at the same time, I can't believe I've been able to support my friend (with stage iv breast cancer) without turning into a puddle of goo. You are making a difference.