post-transplant UPDATES
04/05/09 10:15 PM - I’ve never attempted an undertaking such as I am wrestling with at the moment so I am not sure even where I shall begin either by action or in word. I do know that my approach to this matter is in no way political. This is not even an arena I want to enter; politics has itself all muddled up in this as it is already, so I will lend no time or attention to further a cause on any side of that spectrum.
This issue touches close to home because it could very well be Kelli and I in this predicament. My struggle begins with God (how many times have I found myself here!) Not a struggle in the sense of “rebellion” or “in opposition to” but rather a struggle for understanding. I’ve always likened it as an effort to “bridge the gap” if you will and to gain understanding from God; to know His Mind and His Will concerning certain matters pertaining to our lives here on earth.
Months before we found out that Kelli had cardiomyopathy, I found myself at the beginning of this struggle as I became acquainted with the needs of another member of the family who has been battling cancer for some time now. At that point in time, she had been aggressively fighting the disease with all the standard medical approaches that were available to her through her insurance coverage. Learning of her struggle brought me quickly back to just a couple years ago when another member of the family’s valiant fight against cancer found her summoned home to the Lord.
Then came Kelli’s illness. When we are sharing the recovery story, we often start in September and draw attention to her awakening from the coma as the first miracle, but really the first miracle happened when Kelli was added to my medical insurance plan where I work. Without that insurance Kelli’s story might very well be a different one all together.
While the medical miracle is real and truly amazing, it is a far cry from the words of the apostle Peter as he spoke to the lame man lying at the gate of the Temple begging alms from those who entered. Peter spoke to him saying, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk.” And immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Peter didn’t have to ask the man for his insurance card. He didn’t deny him treatment because he lacked medical coverage or the monetary means wherewith to pay for a cure. He spoke the word in faith and it was so. (Please don’t run away now. I don’t want you to get the impression I’m getting fanatical. I’m simply sharing with you the sincerest questions and thought of my heart before God.)
My question to God is simply, “What is the answer?” The woman of whom I have spoken who has struggled with cancer these past many years and whose condition found stability in the medical treatments that were administered, has recently lost the medical coverage that was supporting those treatments and the only option available is to purchase medical coverage herself at a cost of $1,500 per month. How is that even conceivable from a position of full-time healthy employment? So as I inquired the other day as to her status in her fight, it was told to me that she’s "living", that’s all she can do. There are no more treatments taking place. The disease once stabilized is left unguarded now to regain ground – all because of money.
I tremble inside at the thoughts of that reality. Especially from the elevated vantage point I have and can see that without medical coverage, it would be next to impossible to provide for Kelli’s medication costs. And I recall the initial interview with the Transplant Coordinator who was completely upfront and forthright in making it known that heart transplant surgery and recovery is expensive and it will require a means to pay for it – without insurance it wouldn’t have happened.
Even then, during that conversation, my heart wept for all those who have had to surrender hope for healing in this life because they could not afford the cost of the care needed to be restored to good health.
When Jesus was asked by one of the Pharisee’s, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered him saying, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”
God has drawn my heart to that statement many times. What does it mean to truly love your neighbor as yourself? Going back to my last post where I mentioned the “God Box” I go one step further and say how readily we grab that box from off our shelves when it is for a need or cause that directly affects us or one we love, but how quickly do we reach for it when the need is not ours – but another’s – a neighbors, or yet perhaps even a stranger? Or, how intently do we appeal to God when it is for another? Do we pour our whole soul into it as we would were it ourselves in need? Be honest when you answer that question.
And what does the Bible say that Love is? (1 Corinthians 13)
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (Just noise) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love boasts not itself, is not puffed up, Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;
Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
This definition spells it out plainly. There are no “ifs”, “ands”, or “whys” to be found here. There are no criteria outlined to be met in the offering of one’s love to another in the name of Christ. No disqualification for a pre-existing condition. No disqualification based on income.
Jesus said simply, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
So I ask us this question again. Do we take upon us the needs of another and love them and care for them and pray for them as we do when it is our own needs; our own life on the line? What kind of blessings would we experience if we truly fulfilled these two great commandments – firstly, to love God with all our heart, might, mind and strength and secondly to love our neighbor as ourselves? What a different world that would be!
I will bring my writing to and end for now. Thank you for taking the time to share with me in my thoughts. I invite each of you who read this to pray for this woman who has lost her medical coverage and has resigned herself to that reality. I encourage us likewise to share the needs of others we may know that need prayer that we may with one voice and purpose hold them up before the Lord and insodoing seek to obey and fulfill the commandments of God.
May God add His Blessing.
