A few weeks ago, in my final anxious moments before the formal start of Sunday worship, a beloved member pulled me aside to share a concern pressing hard upon her heart.
I asked permission to share her spiritual burden with the congregation, that together we might lift to the Lord of heaven and earth our shared pleas, groans, and tears. “Oh yes,” she said as her caring eyes widened, as if in amazement: “This church has powerful prayers.” (The emphasis was hers.) And thus we prayed, as a community of faith, for member Lee Stegen and his upcoming battery of medical tests at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Know first that Lee’s health is fine. And that was a very helpful diagnosis not only for him but also for Lee’s longtime friend Mitch Dunklee (pictured above with his family). Such good medical news just might allow Lee to offer Mitch one of the most intimate and precious gifts one can give another: The gift of one’s self; in Lee’s case, literally!
Long story short, Lee volunteered to give his high school chum a portion of his otherwise-healthy Stegen liver. Mitch, a son of our congregation and members Cheryl and Dave, anxiously awaits a life-saving liver transplant. And thus we prayed, that the full battery of tests awaiting Lee at Mayo might confirm him a suitable match as a living donor to Mitch.
For reasons perhaps never to be understood, to this particular prayer God responded “no.” Lee was not a compatible donor.
As we’re wont to say, “it is what it is.”
But so also are God’s possibilities fresh with every dawn. And such grace sometimes pierces the murky depths of social media!
Meanwhile Mitch and his family continue an already-agonizing wait, full-well knowing that time most definitely is of the essence – and getting more so with the passing of each day.
Now comes a Facebook post from Jenny Stegen, a deacon of our congregation and physician assistant at Gundersen’s Waukon clinic. She begins, “A fellow community member is experiencing a serious health challenge, and we need your help.”
Drawing on her training and experience, Jenny goes on to explain that 53-year-old Mitch has been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare liver condition that leads to liver failure. He needs a liver transplant, and the number of people needing transplants far exceeds the number of donors.
Jenny writes, “So we are looking to find individuals who might be interested in being a living donor for Mitch,” continuing –
“Your liver is an organ that regenerates. Believe it or not, after you donate a portion of your liver, it fully regenerates within two months! You can live and function normally after surgery. Of course, like any other surgery, there are risks, and there is recovery time.
I assure you that Mayo clinic will fully inform you before you make this decision. This is a completely voluntary decision, and there is no pressure to donate from anyone, including the surgeon.”
Financial burden should not concern a living donor. Jenny notes there are programs to cover a donor’s personal costs such as travel, medical expenses, time off work, etc.
Based on Lee’s time at Mayo, Jenny deems the transplant team “out of this world.”
“They treat you like royalty. They take care of all your questions and concerns. They will never put you through the surgery unless you are an excellent candidate. You are in the best hands and at a facility where they have the best outcomes,” Jenny’s post reads. “If you are found to be a match, you will literally be saving a life.”
If you have further questions or feel the Holy Spirit moving you to become a living donor, please reach out to Jenny via personal message.
“I truly believe we live in the best community in this country. We have solid people who support one another, love one another, and help one another. I know there is someone out there who wants to give the gift of life. There is no greater gift.”
Amen, Jenny! The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!