The Healing Power of Love and Faith: A Kidney Transplant Story Part 2

Megan was silently praying. Almost an hour had passed since the Senator and Chad had gone into surgery. She bent her head and thanked God for the Senator’s sudden appearance in their lives and for his gift of life. Chad had grown up believing his dad had died a hero’s death the month before he was born and had been shocked to learn the real circumstances surrounding his birth. The revelation of the family secrets would have been devastating had it not been sweetened by the fact that it meant he now had a living donor who could save his life.

Megan’s own viewpoint wasn't tempered by the swirling emotions that Chad felt. Despite the difficult circumstances she could see God’s work at hand and felt that nothing but good was going to come of the Senator’s selfless act, even if he never publicly acknowledged his son. She believed his gift of life was a direct answer to her prayers but she knew that her mother-in-law, Aunt Bea and even Chad didn't see it that way. They were happy, of course, that the Senator had come forward albeit under strict measures to ensure that the public wouldn't find out about the nature of the relationship between him and Chad, but they didn't see God’s divine intervention in this turn of events the way she did.

Sue’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “I brought some crackers and cheese. Want some?”

“No thanks. I’m not hungry.” They were in a private waiting room arranged by the Senator. Sue and Aunt Bea were sitting on a couch directly across from her and she couldn’t help noticing how different they were. Sue was frail and despite the exhaustion etched on her face she was delicately beautiful while Aunt Bea was stoutly robust with a head full of gray curly hair framing her ruddy cheeks. Aunt Bea’s beauty stemmed from the love she radiated for most everyone who crossed her path with the exception of those who meant harm to animals or other people. Then she could be a tigress, fiercely protective of her cubs. She’d helped Sue raise Chad and since she’d never been married or had any children of her own she was like a second mother to him.

The door swung open and a hard-looking, middle-aged woman came into the waiting area. Judging from the designer suit she was wearing it was obvious she wasn't one of the hospital staff. Megan instinctively stiffened. She had no idea why the woman was here but there was an aura of tension and anger around her that was distinctly chilling.

“Which one of you is Sue O’Brien?” The woman’s fiery eyes darted between Sue and Aunt Bea and the commanding tone of her voice demanded an answer.

Sue immediately stood up. “Has something happened to my son?”

“I have no idea how your son is. I’m Jennifer Bradden, the Senator’s wife and the only reason I came is to deliver a warning to my husband’s former whore, which I presume is you.”

Sue gasped and Aunt Bea lunged to her defense. “Don’t you dare talk to my sister that way! Have you no sense of decency? We’re all under a great deal of stress and this is not the time or place for such behavior.”

Mrs. Bradden’s dark eyes spewed hatred and Megan, who had taken a protective stance on Sue’s right side smelled alcohol on the woman’s breath when she pivoted toward Aunt Bea. “Don’t lecture me about bad behavior. If your sister had kept her legs shut 25 years ago none of this would be happening. I’ll say and do whatever I want and you’re in no position to stop me. Your sister’s the one who came begging for John’s help and just to set the record straight I’m sorry that he’s giving it. If word of this…this bastard son leaks out it’ll cause a scandal that will ruin his career.”

She swung back toward Sue again and continued her tirade. “I came to warn you that if you or your son try to contact John after the surgery is over you’ll sorely regret it because you’ll be dealing directly with me next time, not my husband.” Before either of the sisters could answer her back Jennifer Bradden stormed out of the room slamming the door behind her.

Sue burst into tears and Aunt Bea wrapped her arms around her and comforted her. “Pay her no mind. She’s not worth another thought. All that matters is that Chad’s getting the kidney that he needs because you loved him enough to convince John to come here.”

Megan was badly shaken but for a totally different reason. She’d never seen anyone as bitter as Mrs. Bradden and knew that the venom she’d spewed inside this room was just the tip of the iceberg of pain that she was bound up in. “Please God,” she silently prayed. “Make sure she gets the help she desperately needs.”

Calmed by Aunt Bea’s loving embrace, Sue sat down with Bea next to her and Megan flanked her other side and patted her leg. “It’ll be okay, Mom. You did the right thing by bringing the truth to light.”

“I hope so.”

An hour later Dr. Graham came into the room and they gathered around him eager for information on Chad and the Senator’s status, “Both operations went well and there were no complications. Now only time will tell if Chad’s body will accept the new kidney.”

“It will.” Megan said, “My prayers have been answered.”

Dr. Graham gave her an odd look as if deciding whether to explain that the future was not a guaranteed answer to her prayers but Sue tactfully distracted his attention by taking hold of his hand. “Thank you, Doctor. We appreciate everything you've done for Chad and know that your surgical skills have given him the best chance for a new future.”

When Dr. Graham left the room Aunt Bea and Megan convinced Sue that she should go home with Bea before rush hour traffic set in.

Sue hugged Megan goodbye and held onto her an extra moment whispering into her ear, “I love you, sweetheart.” Then she fussed over her a bit and said, “Remember to take care of yourself and eat something so your blood sugar won’t drop.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll grab something in a little while, but first I’m going in the bathroom to freshen up. Want to look beautiful when I go up to see Chad.”

Chad was sleeping when she walked into his room and she stood in the doorway for a moment temporarily overwhelmed by the sight of the tubing and wires that connected him to IV equipment and a heart monitor. He’d lost quite a bit of weight this past month and looked pale, fragile and almost boy like in the large hospital bed. She took several deep breaths then tiptoed to his free side and began lightly stroking his forehead and running her fingers through his hair imagining that a healing stream of love was pulsing through her fingertips. Chad moaned just as he always did when she stroked his head. A few seconds later his eyes flickered open and he smiled when they focused on her face.

“Hi Red,” he said, using the pet nick-name that he’d given her on their first date. It was a reference to the fiery red hair that cascaded down her slender back and accentuated her tiny waist. He’d always joked that he’d fallen in love with her hair before he’d fallen in love with the rest of her. “I knew it was you even before I opened my eyes. They've got some good looking nurses here but none of them can take my pain away with the mere touch of their fingers.”

“They better not run their fingers through your hair,” she teased, “Or do this.” She bent down and softly kissed him on the lips. His free hand wrapped around her waist and the kiss turned out to be longer and more passionate than she’d intended. A nurse came into the room and Megan jerked away from him and blushed.

The nurse chuckled, “Newlyweds, eh?”

Chad shook his head no. “Actually it’s our 1 year anniversary today so the honeymoon is officially over.”

“Tough break spending your anniversary in here.”

Megan quickly contradicted her. “Not really. Chad’s new kidney is the greatest anniversary gift that anyone could have given us”. The date for the surgery had been randomly chosen but to Megan it was another sign that the new kidney was a representation that by God’s grace and love they were being granted the start of a whole new life together.

The nurse checked his dressing and intravenous line then left. Megan stayed a few more hours and forgot all about her promise to eat until after she said goodbye to Chad. By then the cafeteria was closed and she decided to stop at a diner on the way home.

She felt light-headed while driving and before she could pull off to the side of the road lost consciousness. Her body slumped forward with her foot stuck on the gas pedal and the car careened out of control and crashed into a tree.

Witnesses stopped to render assistance but were unable to get her out of the vehicle. They could see she was unconscious and one witness immediately called 911 while the other reached through the smashed door and window to check for a pulse.