Life has a way of turning you upside down, so you can live right-side up!
I have a richly and goodly heritage. My parents, the late Elder General Taft Whitfield Jr. and Mother Mentres Best Whitfield, were the best parents in the whole world. They were devout Christians, rich in Jesus and had love for all people. I was adopted at birth to this loving and compassionate couple.
I was born in 1961 and brought up in the 70’s which was a good time for our people, when love, self-worth, and togetherness meant everything! I was never sick, so I never went to the doctor with the exception of getting a physical for school activities. I ate well, and I like most children in the community went to church, school, and played with friends. That was all the world meant to us at that time.
My father passed in January of 1993. My world, my hero was gone!!!!!! I had to be strong for me and my mother and this was not easy. Not only had my plans for continuing my education vanished, but at this point in my life I had no idea what to do. This was very stressful to my body, mind, and spirit, and it wreaked havoc! I passed out one night at home. My mother who could not walk, called out to me and I did not respond. Being the great mother that she was, got on her knees and crawled to my bedside, and then crawled back to her room and called 911. I awoke in Wayne Memorial Hospital in ICU. What happened?
I had been in a diabetic coma with a blood sugar level of 1,462. WOW! I will never forget this number as long as I live. The doctor said the stress was brought on by the many changes I had experienced in the past few years and the sudden death of my father. He also stated I had been diabetic since the days of my youth. If you do not get certain check-ups then all you get is a normal exam. The doctors told my mother there was nothing else they could do for me with a blood sugar that high but wait to see if it would go lower with their medication. My mother said now this opportunity was just right for God! And she told the doctors that my church family and my family were fasting and praying for me. This is another reason to believe that prayer changes things. This was one of the many times Jesus with His infinite power interceded on my behalf.
Both my mother and brother passed later that same year. Now my whole immediate family was gone in a years time! Lord have mercy on me! I continued on, accepted what was and asked the Lord to please help me, and He did. I accepted Christ as my personal savior, and then there was a change. Sometimes up, sometimes down, but now I have faith, hope, and trust in Jesus who is the author and finisher of my faith, and oh what a difference He has made in my life. I started back attending church on a regular basis. I started work at O’Berry Center and volunteered with the literacy program two nights a week tutoring English at Wayne Community College.
This fulfilled me at the time, by keeping busy in a positive way, but something was still missing.
I was eating properly, took my diabetic medication, and saw my primary care physician on a regular basis. But there were days when I just did not feel right physically.
My doctor sent me to a kidney specialist. I was told my kidneys were losing function. My body began to swell as a result of not being able to release bodily fluids. I felt like a stuffed pig! Bloated to the max. I went back to the doctor and my potassium had hit the roof. They told me to go to the hospital, admitting me in July 2017 at the age of 56. I started dialysis treatment with a catheter and graph.
Today, because of dialysis, I feel 100% better than I have in years. My treatments go well, sometimes I am more tired than others. I rest when I get home, eat and then I feel like a new person. I do what my doctors advise and take good care of myself. Doctor Robert Dunmire and Dr. T.J are excellent physicians who care about their people. I am on the waiting list for a kidney. Nobody wants to do dialysis but it is necessary for survival, and I choose to live and have faith in waiting!
In honor of Donor Sabbath and my faith during the wait, register today!