PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket

August 30, 2011

Day -1: Dear Donor

Dear Donor,

I have thought about this day since June 6, 2011 when we learned that Kate required a bone marrow transplant. I've wondered how I would feel. How Kate would be doing. How we would be managing this crazy adventure.

But, most importantly, I've wondered about YOU. How you would be feeling. How proud your mother must be of you. How amazing you are. How selfless you are. How much of a blessing you are to my family.

Today, you will be wheeled into an operating room, put under general anesthesia, and have a doctor drill into your bones to collect your bone marrow. Nothing about the surgery you are willingly undergoing is easy. Yet you've selflessly agreed to do it.

No matter what stood in our way, no matter how many set backs we faced, or how many times we were rescheduled, you remained dedicated to this process. You made it clear that you would do anything to put Kate, and her health, at the center of this process.

So many nurses, doctors, and coordinators have told me how lucky we are to have such a serious, devoted, caring donor. While it's nice to be reminded, I didn't need them to tell me. I know, and have known since we got the call, that you were a special young man.

Today you will not just be wheeled into an OR to have a procedure. You will be wheeled into the OR as a hero, a life saver, an angel here on Earth. Our God knew what he was doing when he planned your life - He knew you would help save one of His children.

You will save my daughter's life. You will allow me to live out my dreams of being a mother. Allow Alex to continue to be an amazing daddy. Allow Kate's grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends to keep loving her.

But, most importantly, you will allow Kate to live a long life. You will allow her to experience not only the great things in life like coming to know Christ, but the simple things too. Things like learning how to ride a bike, learning to read a book, experience her first day of kindergarten and her first day of college, experience the mountains and the beach, and so much more.

You are giving us the most amazing gift anyone could give. I am forever thankful for your willingness to save Kate and I pray that I will be able to hug you and thank you in person one day.

I also pray that you are able to witness Kate's beautiful smile, her dimple, her joy, and her amazing personality.

Words will never be strong enough to express my gratitude. I just hope you can fully understand how much your gift means to our family.

We are praying for you and your recovery. Praying that this has not caused a huge disruption in your life. Praying for comfort as you heal. Praying that you know just how special you are.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving my Kate a second chance at life!

Much love,
Lindsey

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

53 comments:

Kristin said...

This gave me chills. Yes, her donor is a completely selfless man. It would be awesome if he stumbled upon your blog :)

Justine said...

::tears:: Definitely an amazing such man to give such an amazing gift to a little girl he doesn't even know. Kate is truly blessed.

Steph said...

I'm crying reading this...

What an amazing letter to an amazing person to help your baby girl.

So beautiful.
xoxox

Erin said...

At least you warned me on Twitter there would be tears! Crying AND rejoicing with you :) Our God is faithful!

Lucy said...

One word: Beautiful! May God continue to show his love to your family, His family and little Kate!

Ashley said...

Lindsey:
I took a little break from work this afternoon to check my google reader and now I'm sitting here at my desk with tears running down my face. This is beautiful. I'm praying for all of you now and in the coming days.
Much love
Ash

Jessica said...

Ah! I am in tears reading this. What a wonderful man he is to give your Kate a 2nd chance at life. God knew exactly what he was doing when he put him in your lives. Wow!

B F said...

I'm also crying... speechless. You have the best words...

Kelly said...

So beautiful.

Megan and David said...

You are such a lovely person, Lindsey. I am changed for the better because I met you.

Beckie said...

God bless you alllll!!!!!!!! Wishing a quick recovery for kate and the donor. Thinking of you daily. God bless :) xoxo

Janis said...

Okay, pass the Kleenex. Lindsey this letter is beautiful. I pray that you will be able to give it to him in person at some point in the future. Love you guys!

Genna said...

I'm crying. That's beautiful.

Tonja said...

Wow, now I am crying at my desk at work too! Lots of prayers for this selfless donor and for Kate and you and your family!

Shannon Dew said...

This is just so profound. I am praying for Kate, your family, and your donor.

Katie @ Loves of Life said...

Donors are amazing people!!! I am so happy that your sweet Kate will get to live a long happy life because of selfless acts!

Christie said...

Okay, I am crying. What a heartfelt, beautiful letter, and what a selfless man.

Jen said...

Beautifully written!

Unknown said...

I'm in tears!!

What an amazing gift this man is not only giving Kate but so many others. It brings such joy to my heart to know that there are still amazing people in this world.

Lots of prayers being lifted up for you, Kate, your family and this donor!!!

Bev said...

Lindsey,
Beautiful does not describe your letter…even though it is beautiful. Heartfelt and full of love is what comes to my mind while reading it. The waterfalls I saw on my trip demonstrated the power of nature and of water. What you wrote aptly describes the full power of your spiritual connection to that heroic young man. I’m not merely shedding a few tears…I’m overwhelmed. Keep being strong as you face the next phase of Kate’s healing. God is great! We continue to pray for you all.
Bev

Brittany said...

I have goosebumps reading this. What a special person to be so selfless for a little girl that he doesn't know. Prayers!

Lindsey said...

Lindsey-I have been following you on twitter for quite sometime now, and have been praying for your family and Kate, but what an amazing letter to her donor. He is a special young man to be giving Kate this second chance at life!

Lauren said...

Amazing and true words, Lindsey. This man is truly a blessing, and I'm praying for him as I pray for Kate.

Sarah said...

This is so beautiful I have tears streaming down my face. All of you are so strong and I have been praying for y'all nonstop! Xoxo

Andy and Emmie said...

What an amazing letter Lindsey! (I say as I cry!) I am so happy for you and your family and praise God for this amazing young man!

Courtney said...

Beautiful.

HelenD said...

A beautiful letter from the heart. I know it will mean a lot to him when he reads it one day!

Lindsey said...

Lindsey- I found your amazing blog via AP @ iloveyoumorethancarrots and have become a twitter follower as well and I am so amazed by your strength! I will continue to pray for you and your family and I hope that each passing day, Kate becomes stronger and healthier!

Anonymous said...

Love letter. Hope she makes it.

Jennifer said...

Oh, how sweet. I'm crying so hard as I read this! What an amazing selfless person.

Shana said...

Wow, this is so powerful and emotional to read. Lifting all of you up in prayer!

cjdubs13 said...

Beautiful, as many of your readers tears are in my eyes. Praying for your donor, for Kate, her doctors, your family, and praying some day you can meet this donor :)

Joyce said...

I hope she survives her current set back and is able to receive the transplant.

What a lovely and heartfelt letter. Will the donor be able to read it?

Chris and Alisha said...

Lindsey, you are so amazing and Kate is so blessed to have you as her mom. I pray constantly for Kate and her donor. What an amazing person! I pray for you and your husband and the strength you will show to Kate. Please know that we are all here for you and Kate will be in the hearts an minds of many over the next few weeks.

Chris and Alisha said...

We're Jumping the Broom is me, Alisha

Nicole said...

Beautiful Letter - had me in tears! I hope you meet this wonderful, selfless donor!! Your family is always in my prayers:)

Ashley said...

This is such an amazing and heartfelt entry. I love it. Way to go Donor and baby Kate. <3

Emily said...

What an amazing gift that young man is selflessly giving to your precious daughter and your family... and what a beautiful way to thank him! I certainly hope he is able to read it someday. I'm continuing to pray for strength and healing for Kate and her donor is on my prayer list now as well.

Leroy said...

Would it change your view of the donor if you learned they did not embrace Jesus as their savior and were either an agnostix or atheist?

T.J. said...

I hope that one day you'll be able to give this man a copy of this letter, face-to-face. Very well written. Stay strong, both Kate and donor!

Claire said...

What a wonderful, beautiful post! Praying for your family and your donor.

Cxx

Emily May said...

Lots of tears and prayers your way! Can't wait to hear how Kate is doing!

Andrea said...

What a beautiful letter that totally made me cry! You are an amazing person for being so positive and have such a way with words. I am praying for you & your family and I will keep him in my prayers too.

jlynn said...

Beautiful post. Thinking of you and Alex and praying for Kate and her very generous donor.

Anonymous said...

It is a perfect match, an amazing donor for such an amazing little girl. Praying for you all that everything goes smoothly.

Wendy said...

The title alone gave me goosebumps - everything else made me cry. :) So happy for you and praying for BOTH of the patients and their families. What a blessing!!

Rachael from Louisiana said...

I also hope that one day your donor will be able to read such a beautiful letter that you wrote him the day he helped save your daughter's life. Continuing to pray for your family!

Shannon said...

It goes without saying that this made me cry my eyes out. What a beautiful letter, I pray that you are able to tell all of this to him someday. I voted for your sweet blog on the Parents Magazine website, hoping you win and that this amazing story continues on. God bless Kate and her second chance at life, and God bless this wonderful young man helping to save her!

Iris said...

Lindsey, Your journey with Kate through this transplant is a testimony to your faith and love as a mother. The letter to the donor is truly heartfelt and he must be an amazing person that I do hope you get to meet someday to thank him in person. I look forward to meeting you, Alex and little Kate this weekend.

Greg said...

Lindsey Bear,

I can't even begin to express how proud I am to say "That's my girl!" Your strength, faith, courage are just so very clear through this challenge! God not only knew that this young man would be molded for this day, God chose you to be the mother of a child given new life! And frankly God made a great choice in you in my opinion. Your letter needs to be shared with the world so others would know the wonderful nature of this young man and the witness he serves of the need for donors and selflessness in our world.

Yes,"That's my girl!" I am so prooud of you, Alex and little Miss Kate!

Love,
Poppa Bear

Ashley Paige said...

Oh Lindsey.. This is just so incredible. What an amazing letter. And how amazing and selfless of you, to cast aside your fear, your worry and the ache you're feeling.. to praise and thank this young man. There is no doubt in my mind He handpicked this donor for Kate and for your family... My prayers are with him as he recovers.. and with you and your family and you prepare for kate's second birthday.. Hugs from Maryland!

Momma Wilson said...

This is such a beautiful letter and is brings so much emotion. Praying for you all always!

Brenda and Phillip said...

Wow what an amazing letter and an amazing donor! I wish your daughter a speedy recovery with her new cells.

Blogging tips