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Healed ... and now a
helping healer.
by Susan Grant
In May, 1998, I was
diagnosed with Leukemia. At that time, the only treatment was a bone marrow
transplant.
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After a long
search a donor, Peter Andrews, was found in England. Peter was
deemed healthy enough to qualify as my donor and he readily agreed
to the bone marrow transplant. In mid November 1998 in London,
Peter’s bone marrow was harvested, flown across the Atlantic Ocean,
and it arrived at MCV in time for me to get the transplant the day
before Thanksgiving.
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I didn't get a
yes or no from God, but I did pursue the possibility. |
I entered the hospital on
a Sunday afternoon, November 15th. That evening, the youth of our
church stood outside my window with candles in their hands. From my 10th
floor window, my daughter Stephanie and my son Wingate and I watched as the
youth raised and lowered the candles while they were praying for us. It was
a sight I will never forget.
Before the transplant, I worked as a realtor, marketing
residential properties. I loved my job with a passion. But after the
transplant I made the decision not to return to real estate. Nevertheless I
had to work – but doing what? A friend approached me about four years after
the transplant and suggested I consider nursing. My immediate response was,
“Oh yeah, I’m 53 years old. Not exactly the right time in life to start a
new career.” I told her I’d pray about it. She wasn’t a Christian, so I’m
sure she didn’t understand why I’d consider even asking the Lord for
guidance, but I did.
I didn’t get a yes or no from God, but I did pursue the
possibility. When I contacted John Tyler School of Nursing, I told them just
to tell me I was too old. I said, “I won’t be offended, I just don’t want to
waste your time, so just tell me and I’ll be gone.” The head of the nursing
program told me on the contrary I wasn’t too old. Their oldest graduate had
been 62 years old. So I applied.
I went through the nursing program in six semesters. It was
tough. At times I didn’t think I would make it. But I graduated in December
2005, at the age of 56. Seven years after my bone marrow transplant.
Now at Henrico Doctor’s Hospital I work as an RN in
Radiation Oncology and in the outpatient infusion unit.
... I ask Him to
help me minister
to His children in whatever way
He desires. |
God has used me mightily over these years.
Occasionally I have shared my cancer experience with patients. I’ve
believe it’s given them encouragement to see me looking so healthy,
and working at my age in a physically demanding field.
Professionally, I
want to give my patients the best of care as a way of paying back
for the excellent care I received at MCV. But also I desire to do
something for God as a way of saying “thank you” for His
intervention to extend my life. So every morning as I drive to work,
I ask Him to help me minister to His children in whatever way He
desires. I see it as living out my life in thankfulness for what He
has done.
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