offtopic happy news

[deb-l]

My husband had a successful liver transplant Saturday and is recovering well. We have been fighting cancer since April with radiology and chemo, but the only cure was a transplant. Needless to say our lives (as well as my harp endeavors) have been on hold. Drs did not think chances were good that he would survive the wait list for transplant. I was declined as donor, being too small, our son was declined due to a mild pulminary shunt that was caught as part do his evaluation, and we were starting to loose hope. We are very grateful that the deceased donors family allowed him to remain on life support and gave consent, and of course to the many professionals, friends, family, work colleagues for their support and of course God Almighty for this gift of life. We are looking forward to many more years together. We are far from home and need to stay close to the hospital but finally my heart is not too broken to want to play the harp. I tried a few times during this time but it was not in me to be happy. Life is worth living again now that I know I am not loosing the love of my life. My harp is waiting for me so I can truly express my joy the best way I know. Although I am VERY rusty it does not seem important how well I can play I will get it back and I have something much more important, the love of my life is here to share life’s joys and sorrows. Please consider being an organ donor as there is a shortage, many people die while on the wait list and it is the greatest gift you can give.

[tracey-kjonegaard]

What great news! I’m so happy for you and your family 🙂

[diana-day]

Deb, this is wonderful news. I can only imagine what you and your family have been through, but I’ll send some positive energy your way. I’m glad you feel you can play the harp again.
Best wishes, Diana

[Sylvia]

Absolutely play your harp. It keeps your soul healthy. Your hubby got a really bad kind. What a wonderful outcome that he got a transplant! All I had was breast cancer…that’s the easy kind…they just lop it off and put on a new one.

[andee-craig]

That is such wonderful news, Deb! I’m also sending some good positive healing energy to help your husband on the road to recovery and to you as well!

[Angela Biggs]

Congratulations, Deb! I hope you and your family enjoy many, many more happy years together. And welcome back to the harp. 🙂

[Jerusha Amado]

Deb, I’m so happy for you and for your family! This is terrific news! And I’m also glad that you’ll be back playing the harps that you love and may also be back posting on harpcolumn.com. We’ve missed you! (PS–am already an organ donor!)

[deb-l]

Thank you everyone for sharing our happiness. There was a harpist playing at the cancer hospital the first time we went there, and I felt consoled when I heard her play. I hope musicians who play in hospitals know how much comfort they bring. I say musicians and not just harpists because I felt soothed by the pianist in hospitals and gravitated towards music not typically considered therapeutic. Oddly enough it was not helpful for me to play the harp during this time although in the beginning I tried to use it to heal myself, but it was hard to focus and was overwhelmed with all my new responsibilities, so i made the decision to put my personal pleasures aside until this was over and put my family and their needs first. at age 51 i finally learned that the only way i can be really happy is to do things for others. It was more important to spend quality time with my husband even if it meant watching the three stooges rather than playing the harp. I had too many hobbies that took me away from my family. If I were using it to earn an income or if I were more than an adult hobbyist it would be different. I also learned all music is healing, not just the harp and not just what is touted as healing. I have a great respect for artists and musicians of all kinds but I know now that the meaning and purpose in my life is putting my families needs before my own. My job may not be in art, music or medicine and doesn’t seems to add a lot of value to society but if I can help my family with the money I’ve earned I am rewarded with knowing I made a difference and don’t need to achieve in music and art, I can just enjoy them. It’s enough to appreciate the gifts of others, not necessary to achieve especially if it means not giving to your loved ones. I hope I remember what I learned from this experience, as looking back I think I was an unhappy and selfish person. I don’t mean to say that it’s wrong or selfish to spend a lot of time and money on a hobby just that it needs to be in perspective, and prioritized against other family needs which I didn’t do before my husbands illness. I do intend to fully enjoy my artistic and musical pursuits again but not at the expense of other needs for the family budget and not at the expense of spending quality time with my family and friends.

Sylvia, there is no good kind, and you are a brave soul for shouldering your fight. I hope to see the day they discover a cure.
Jerusha, thank you for sharing your choice to be an organ donor. I missed you all too. : )

[eliza-morrison]

What a beautiful post, and what glorious news! I am so happy for you and your husband!

[Sherri Matthew]

Many blessings Deb 🙂 May your harp continue to help you and yours heal. You’ve discovered a lot, and that the hard way. Thanks for posting for us.

[natalie-wagner–2]

Praise God that your husband is alive and well! I can tell from the way you speak of him how much you love one another, how blessed you are to be safe and to continue your lives together. Thank you for such an encouraging story!

I didn’t sign up to be an organ donor when I first got my license at age 17, I had never given it deep thought. I’ll look into changing it now, thank the Lord for those who have!

As you said, harping can wait while family and friends and others are in need. 🙂

And as a little side note, thank you again. I think this was yet another sign that I should start playing my harp in hospitals, if they will allow me of course. I want to give back as so many people have given to me!

God bless you and your wonderful family!

— Natalie

[jennifer-buehler]

Congrats on the successful transplant and here’s to a successful recovery! My BIL is a transplant recipient due to CF so I know what a big deal this is!

[Sylvia]

Deb, I really did get an easy one compared to what all your husband has to go thru. I mentioned it only because when I was on the C-journey, it seemed everyone around me was so healthy it made me feel even more diseased. Actually, I didn’t fight. The doctors did all the work. Cancer can happen to anyone, but we think it will be somebody else, and it’s not always somebody else! Don’t neglect your own health because of your family. Be sure to get your mammo and other checkups.

[Sonya Wiley]

Hi Deb, I know how you feel; I had to put my harp aside to take care of my mother; that’s just how it had to be. Also my brother had a kidney transplant in January; our sister being the donor; so I know what you’re going through there also; so far so good with both of them . I finally went back to my harp in May after I found a wonderful teacher and I’ve even moved to pedal harp which is a wonderful journey at my age and I’m loving it! Good luck to you and your family!

[deb-l]

I wish I could respond to all individually, I shouldn’t be surprised at the outpouring of support from such a great group. I really did miss you guys. Thank you for your kind thoughts and words.

Sylvia- I wish cancer wasn’t a taboo subject. Sharing personal struggles with chronic and terminal illness is the best support I know because it makes the feeling of isolation go away. Way to go for you to speak openly, it gives people hope who are fighting cancer to hear from people who beat it.

Jenn – it’s amazing the hoops, the long wait, the unknown, but for us lucky ones who get the transplant, your life is forever changed. Less than a week ago I lost hope. I feel for those who don’t make it. Congrats to your BIL.

Natalie-the first day we went to the cancer hospital I was so sad, fighting back the tears, the harpist soothed my soul like nothing else could. I was trying not to show my emotions because I did not want to burden my husband, so sadly she will never know what she did for me that day. I’m happy you want to help others, they may not thank you personally but know in your heart you are making a difference.

Sonya-It sounds like you blossomed musically after caring for your mother. Nothing like doing the right thing and making a sacrifice to make you grow creatively. Your story makes me hopeful I will reach my musical goals someday and not to give up. It makes me long to take lessons and start a new chapter in life. Thanks for the encouragement.

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