Waiting for a Lung

This darling couple has been through it all and a little bit more. They are incredible examples of endurance and optimism despite life threatening challenges.

John learned he was in dire need of a lung transplant after never missing a day of work in 30 years. He applied for an organ transplant only to be denied several times. They told him it wasn't worth the health risks and it was going to cost a fortune. That didn't stop John though, he applied again after sorting things out with the insurance and other obstacles and was finally accepted onto the waiting list.

Organ donations can be tricky. The recipient and donor have to "match" before the organ can even be transferred. Leon has -O blood, which meant he had to receive an organ from another person with -O blood. Other matches had to be made including: size, the type of tissue, and the health of the organ. The odds weren't looking good. On average 18 people pass away every day because of failure to receive an organ transplant. Shirley, his wife, said, "we even began to make arrangements at the funeral home. We didn't think he would make it into the next month."

Late one night Shirley and John were getting ready to go to bed when the phone rang. Because it was so late they let it go to the machine. It rang again and again they ignored it. The third timeShirley picked up the phone and the woman on the other line said "Hello, would your husband be interested in a lung?" It was a miracle! They immediately left for the hospital and spent the next six long hours waiting to see if everything matched up for John to receive the lung. Miraculously everything matched up perfectly and John was able to receive the lung. Even more miraculous was the fact that their insurance completely covered the cost of the transplant, which totaled near one million dollars.

Doctors gave John a five year guarantee with his new lung. He has beaten the odds for five additional years and counting. Through it all though John has stayed optimistic even though he can't do everything he used to do. He has a lot of health restrictions, but John doesn't let that get him down. He would often tell the doctors, "I just believe I'm going to live to be 85 years old."

When asked what gave he and his wife strength, John responded that they "did a lot of praying and read the bible." It really is as simple as that. When we allow the Lord into our lives, He gives us hope and light. It doesn't come from us or the world; hope comes from God.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Since receiving the lung John has had many more battles, but has faced them with optimism and hope. His wife said that she was usually the one who was falling apart and feeling hopeless. "He's the one who always stays positive." John said "Ain't no use being angry, because I would have died ten years ago without [the lung]."

What a wonderful example these two are to me and to the world. They never gave up even when things were falling apart around them. Relying on the Lord was the key to having hope!

-Keep shining!

Names were changed