"The Journey" -

Yeah, that’s what my brother from another mother, Don “Aught” Palen calls it; “The Journey." This is a hell of a story that begins with the remarkable dedication of a front-line health care worker who, years later was asked to pony up for an amazing act of selflessness.

It was 20+ years ago.  She developed a fever that evening.  As she laid in bed, he kept getting her more blankets to help with her shivering cold.  The next morning, she continued fighting whatever it was and remained shivering under the covers.  He had asked her often if she thought she should go to the emergency room but they both ended up thinking that she, being young and healthy would snap out of it.  They had both worked years in health care; she a radiology technician and him a "pencil-pushing" administrator so you can easily surmise (correctly) they both knew just enough to be dangerous.

Then, she said; "I have to get up, take a shower and go to work."  He tried to insist she call in sick but she knew her clinic would be short-staffed that day and said; "I have to." 

So she climbed out from under all those blankets and went and a day later, she was in the hospital suffering from a massive bacterial infection.  The staff there quickly got control of things and a couple days later she was discharged.  They had earlier planned a plane trip to visit his family and, thinking (again wrongly) things were well under control, made the journey.  While there, she developed symptoms again, mainly fever, and they immediately headed for their doctor upon their return home.  The doctor examined her and quickly decided she should be readmitted.  The doc, a fine one named Al-Hariri, looked very concerned and suggested an ambulance but her husband said he could take her "right away" and might get there faster.  When they arrived at the hospital entrance maybe ten minutes later - there was a crew waiting and they quickly went to work, got her in the ICU and began treating her.  After an intense treatment of antibiotics she was over it but, unbeknownst to the couple, she had been septic with renal failure and had "20%" damage to her kidneys.  Over time, that and continuous blood pressure problems caused the damage to progress.

Years later, her kidney function had deteriorated to the point that her nephrologist decided she should begin treatment.  The plan was to adopt a surgical technique calling for a peritoneal implant to support home dialysis three days a week.  She had spent  a very busy life tending to her family, her work, her home and anything that needed attention so the transition to being tied to a machine was threatening and somewhat depressing for her. In fact, in almost 52 years of marriage he had never known her to be feeling quite as bad about something.

Julieann Marie Campbell,
Mother of Tyler and Samantha
Wife of Tom
(April 27, 2021 - two weeks prior)

As the day of surgery fell to within two weeks, she prayed for a donor transplant; "C'mon! If you (God) are going to help let's get going!" She had been on and off a kidney transplant list due to other complications for the previous four years and she was ready...definitely ready. Meanwhile, her husband caught himself occasionally trying to imagine life without her. (He could not. Would not.)

Then, on Easter Sunday she received a call; "We have a donor, a match and you are fourth on the list of candidates. If you agree to the procedure, these are the things we need you to do to prepare so you can respond quickly..."  That night around 9PM the call came; "You are now on top of the list.  Can you be here by 10PM?  We will get you prepared for the donor who has not yet passed."  The next afternoon surgery began and she was out of the OR around 7:30PM.    

It ended up being a long week of constant noise and terrible hospital food but her amazing spirit, an Almighty presence and a great transplant team carried her through. He was fortunate to be able to bring her home late yesterday afternoon and she is now resting. They are not yet out of the woods with this. But past the trees, he can see some early morning sun gracing the meadow and that is where Julieann and he are determined to go. Over the course of their marriage, she has created, cultivated and nurtured his soul. It is completely hers and will always be. She has always maintained that he leads a “charmed life” and that is certainly true with this latest indelible mark.

Julieann now has a “zipper” and he has two. He has concluded; as we all grow older we change somewhat like the moth/butterfly phenomenon only we, instead transition into luggage with zippers all over.

Note:  I have a hero who, 15 years ago donated one of his kidneys to his daughter who today is happily married and well. Byron Geer is, at the moment of this writing, kicking back in the Spring warmth of Florida and sipping a well-deserved cranberry juice/vodka cocktail.  My main hero though is currently resting on our couch. 

Julie and I feel fortunate, or "charmed" you might say, to be in recovery. We hope you are all doing well, vaccinated, loved and not gathering too many zippers for your luggage.