The Anniversary:
Four years ago today I awoke knowing that my life was about to be forever changed.
I showered and made the hour and a half trek to the University of Chicago Medical Center in the wee hours of the morning.
When I arrived in the pre-op waiting room, which I must say felt a lot more like an ivy-league university library than a hospital waiting room, it was quite full. So I took a seat that had one open seat next to it, and a gentleman on the other side of the open seat.
The door to the waiting room then swung open and a beautiful girl in her early 20’s with long red hair came into the room. She had an overnight hospital bag with her that she hung up in a closet, and then she came and sat down next to me. It was clear that she had just checked someone important to her into surgery. The gentleman on the other side of her, whom I’d originally gravitated toward, turned out to be her dad.
I turned to her and said,
“Hi, I’m Lisa…I think you must be Rose’s daughter – you have her beautiful red hair. I’m the one she is giving her kidney to.”
And thus began the day I received my kidney transplant from a woman I had only met once prior to that day.
The Miracle:
Once Rose’s surgery was underway and they’d begun to disconnect her left kidney laparoscopically – with very tiny incisions – I was brought up to the pre-op area. After changing into a stunningly fashionable hospital gown, my surgeon arrived – to simply sit and talk. I expected there to be some big fanfare – after all it was a kidney transplant we had going on – but for the world-class U of C team assembled this was simply a walk in the park.
We got word that Rose’s kidney had been removed and was ready to be transplanted, and my surgeon said, in a very relaxed tone, “OK, let’s go.” And then he promised to make the incision small enough that I could still wear a bikini. Wearing a bikini was the last thing on my mind at that point; I was still expecting someone to make a big deal out of all of this…everyone seemed way too calm!
(As an aside, most people do not know that when you receive a kidney transplant they do not remove your own kidneys – they leave them there and put the new kidney on top of your stomach, under the aforementioned bikini line. Wow, right?)
Within 40 minutes of me “going under,” my new kidney – Rose’s beautiful Irish kidney – was working perfectly in my petite, Italian body. I told you it was a miracle. Modern medicine simply astounds me.
A day later I was exchanging magazines with Rose’s daughter, Linda…Rose was just a few rooms away from mine. I found out later that Linda hadn’t been supportive of Rose’s decision, but I believe all of that changed in those few days.
And only two afternoons later I was power-walking around the patient floors and ran into my team of interns, who realized they had no choice but to let me go home. I have felt amazingly healthy – and blessed – ever since.
Are there hiccups? Of course. My immune system is suppressed to prevent rejection and I definitely get worn down more quickly than most. You can still find me “dancing on tables,” just not likely at 3:00 am…
But the experience was one of growth, and I gained so much – including a new chance at a full and beautiful life!
I wrote a blog post last May entitled, “What I Learned About Networking When I Asked a Stranger for a Kidney” that tells the story of how Rose came to be my donor, and what I learned from that experience of asking for a kidney. Given that I’ve been working on The Introvert’s Guide to Business and Leadership Series lately, I think it’s especially poignant and wanted to share it again.
Mostly, I just wanted to take a few minutes on a Sunday to reminisce and be thankful for the miracle in my life, and to encourage each of you to celebrate even the smallest of miracles in your own life.
~
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Photo is Champagne by TinyTall.
22 Response Comments
Hi LIsa,
Every story from you offers a breathtaking pearl of real life – so moving. Glad you are here with us!
Judy
That means the world to me, Judy – thank you. And I’m looking forward to being with you and inspired by you next month at SOBCon! Hugs.
Thank you for sharing a chapter in your story; if everyone could give so selflessly like you and Rose, we would find the connections all of us desperately need.
Craig, thank you for allowing me to share it so comfortably – I have my readers to thank for that. 🙂 You know, it was Rose who did the giving, and it took a long time for me to understand the real power in receiving. Thank you for all of your support!
Love how you continue to honor Rose! And thanks for telling the story, gives us great insight into what a sacrifice Rose made, and how it affected her entire family.
And Lisa, I hope Rose understands what her gift has meant to all of us that are blessed to be able to learn from you every day!
Thank you, Mack, and thank you for mentioning her sacrifice. It took a lot of courage to do what she did so selflessly. And your last sentence means the world to me…thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Rose’s gift set in motion a series of ripples that have benefitted people she will never meet. Your joined life experience from the time of her donation forward will continue to affect people. Perhaps others will be encouraged to be selfless, or at the very least, accept the blessings they encounter in their own lives. Speaking for myself, I continue to tell people of how impressed I am by your quiet, understated vision and clarity. From the moment when I first got to witness you in action around a table at SOBCon during the nonprofit brainstorming session, I saw a woman who was gracious, a skilled listener and an insightful commentator. Thanks to Rose, and thanks to you, Lisa. Congratulations on a life well lived. My best, M.
Molly, that seriously just brought tears to my eyes – thank you so much.
Yes, it will ripple in so many ways, and I know that Rose’s donation story, and the fact that she tells people she would do it again in a heartbeat, has led to others signing up to be donors.
Your kind words mean so much to me – thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.
Hey Lis!
A fantastic post that helps to remind us about the little things in life that we are grateful for.
I haven’t known you for very long but in the little time that I have, you’ve inspired me to keep pushing through life’s little challenges to make things happen for yourself and those around you. A key quality of a true leader.
I totally understand how you feel about the power of receiving. I’m always doing things for people and feel a little weird when someone does something for me. I never understood how it relates to the power of giving but as I’ve recently discovered when you master both, that’s when beautiful things start to happen.
I like to think that we’re all a little better off through Rose’s gift to you.
Dream, Build, Inspire, Lead!
AJ~
Oh, AJ, thank you so much. This is very touching…and I’m so glad that you, too, are beginning to open yourself to the power of receiving. Hugs from halfway across the world… ~L
Lisa, I’m so appreciative you’re sharing your anniversary – and miracle with us in this way. I did know a few of the facts, but not the story. It is a wonderful one and we are all now blessed both to be your friend and the recipient of all the wisdom you share along with your joy.
Thank you so much, Sherry – I appreciate that you are feeling the joy I am sharing – and so thankful for your friendship! So glad you’re here sharing the celebration with me.
Lisa,
It is late here in Tucson, but still an hour and one-half left of your anniversary day. I, too, remember you sharing this story with us last year. Today is a special day for me as well. It is the anniversary of my father’s death. 32 years ago…my father passed away around 8:00PM and the next morning the Three Mile Accident started to unfold. As I read about Rose again here tonight I thought of all the love we are privileged to enjoy and witness through our lives. Tonight I watched a PBS 25th Anniversary of the Broadway musical Les Miserables. As always, the music and lyrics capture one’s soul.
So to you and Rose…here from Les Mis…
“And remember
The truth that once was spoken
To love another person
Is to see the face of God!”
Take care,
Judy
Judy,
Thank you for sharing your own, personal anniversary here – I know how much he meant to you by the way you write about him… Those stunningly beautiful words from Les Mis are clearly meant for you and your dad as well… Many hugs and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship.
Lisa –
Thanks for sharing your personal story with us.
There is not much more to add that has been said by the other comments.
Your ability to take very personal stories and tell them in such a way that demonstrates not only who you are but what you have become, and what you learned along the way is a gift we all benefit from.
Your story made me stop and think about those times when others made a sacrifice in my life for my benefit. I thank you for that moment of clarity.
I believe good things happen to good people.
Thanks for your post and continuing to discuss the stories that truly mean alot to you.
SPGonz
Steve, thank you for being here along for the ride with me – it means the world to me, and I mean that sincerely. It is because of my readers that I have been able to truly open up over the last 9 months, and it’s been a very freeing experience. I’m honored that my story helped bring a bit of clarity… Sacrifices are certainly very powerful. All the very best…
Lisa,
We all celebrate Rose’s gift to you on this and every anniversary. Through her generosity, so many lives have been touched (mine included). Simply put Lisa, you are an amazing woman and friend and we will all be eternally grateful to Rose for giving us such a treasured gift.
Lisa
That’s very touching, Lisa – your friendship means so very much to me! Hugs, and thank you from the bottom of my heart. 🙂
Congrats Lisa!
mp/m
Thank you so much, Mike!
What a miracle indeed! I found your story amazing for so many reasons! Of course, the wonderful gift from Rose, but also the opportunity you had to connect with her family. What a wonderful lesson for Linda to learn. I can totally understand her apprehension for her mother’s sacrifice, what daughter wouldn’t feel that for her mother. However, I’m sure that after Linda got to spend that time with you she learned an invaluable lesson. Sometimes sacrifices can be marvelously out-weighed by the blessings! And how many lives Rose has blessed and enabled you to bless. Thank you for sharing your story, Lisa!! God Bless!
Thank you, Beth! Yes, it’s been a blessing to connect with her family! Rose actually got remarried last April and I had the honor of being there and of seeing Linda again. It was a real treat! She is a blessing to me and to my entire family and you’re right – sacrifices teach us so much about how blessed and loved we are. Thank you so much for your beautiful message – I’m so grateful to have you here.