One morning at about 7:15 in July 1970 I awoke to find that I simply could not get up. Every time I tried, I collapsed. I was living in East Londen at the time with my young husband (now deceased) and two small children. My husband called a doctor who immediately admitted me to Frere Hospital. The doctors, at that stage, were unable to assess the problem and a specialist was summoned who diagnosed renal failure. I was urgently transferred by air to Groote Schuur Hospital, accompanied by my doctor and husband. By this time I was unconscious. My husband was told, during my unconscious state, that I had only a few hours to live. The moment we arrived at Groote Schuur I was put on to Dialysis and for 9 hours a day, 3 times a week for 3 months. A donor kidney was desperately needed and I was positive that one would come along and, with God’s gracious Providence, one was made available for me and a new lease on my life was granted. Once the kidney was available the operation had to be performed immediately whilst it was still fresh. I was prepared for theater and underwent a major 4 hour operation. This was a difficult and stressful time for my husband and family - he afterwards told me of the anxious hours waiting for news and the relief once the operation was at least over and I came out of the theater. Nevertheless, a further anxious wait lay ahead for all of us before it could really be known whether the kidney was compatible to my system or whether it would be rejected. During this time we sold our home in East Londen and moved to Cape Town for easy monitoring purposes where we lived for 9 years before returning to East Londen. As usual God’s Hand played a part and time started healing. I am still on a minor maintenance dosage of cortisone but I look back on that time and am grateful for the wonderful circumstances, which granted me further life. I lead a normal life and work 8 hours a day as a credit controller. I sincerely appeal for more organ donors based on the above true experience of my own life as, without a donor kidney, I would not be here. I thank our Good Lord for my strong faith. Jean Andrews |
Church on the Way.
My New Lease Testimony - week 10
St. Georges Presbyterian Church Bluff, Durban, South Africa.
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