REFLECTIONS ON GETTING A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT

The Rev. Gayle Nauska

In less than one month, I will have had surgery for a “certified, pre-owned” kidney. I first came across that term when my husband and I went to Seward. They did not have used boats for sale; instead, they were “certified, pre-owned”.

I have been reflecting on what it means to get a kidney from a living donor. I am so thankful and grateful for this incredible gift! There have been a number of passages from recent sermons that have really spoken to me. The Rev. Catherine Amy Kropp’s sermon on April 18 had several: “…we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed.” (1 John 3:2) “As Martin Copenhaver writes, ‘Easter is not a return to life as knew it; it is an invitation to a life beyond anything we have yet experienced…God has so much more in store for us.’”

I do not know what God has in store for me; however, I look forward to being able to travel to the villages again. It is not practical to travel to remote communities with boxes of dialysis fluid. I look forward to being able to put on muscle instead of losing muscle. I look forward to being hungry again, instead of having to remind myself to eat so that the protein in my body does not get low.

I remember Ruby Jo Bixler believed strongly in the verse; “To whom much is given, much will be required.” (Luke 12:48) Sometimes I get a bit overwhelmed as I hear how many people are praying for me, my transplant, and my donor. It will be a big responsibility to take care of my new body part by getting regular exercise, plenty of water, etc. I also wonder what God has in store for me in the way of ministry - “what we will be has not yet been revealed.”

I hope to be able to climb to Flat Top for the first time this summer. I do not know if that is realistic or not. Any volunteers?

Gayle+