By Angela Gamber
Special to the star
My name is Angela. I am a 33-year-old wife, mom and nursing student. My husband’s name is Shawn and I have a 10-year-old daughter, Madison. On Sept. 21, I was admitted to the hospital with acute liver failure. On Sept. 30, I began to decline to the point that they told my family that I would not live but a few more days without a new liver.
On Oct. 2, I received the greatest gift anyone has ever given me (aside from my salvation in Jesus Christ): a new liver. You gave that gift to me. Words cannot express how grateful I am for what your loved one and your family have done for me. In your time of loss, you were able to look past your grief and allow someone else the opportunity to live. Without your gift, my daughter would have lost her mom. She doesn’t understand completely but she knows what an awesome gift I received. My family and I have been praying for you daily as you grieve. We have been praying that God would comfort your family in a supernatural way. My family actually all went into a conference room and prayed for your family while I was in surgery receiving my new liver.
I had a few complications after my surgery but I am healing well now, and there are no signs of rejection. Not a day will go by for the rest of my life that I won't think about your loved one and your family. You will always hold a special place in my and my family’s hearts. Thank you again for the truly awesome gift that you gave me. "Thank you" just doesn’t seem adequate. All I can do is assure you that I will live each day to the fullest and do things in my life that reflect my appreciation for the gift and second chance I have been given.
I found a T-shirt that I am going to order that is very powerful. It says, “The greatest hero I never knew was the organ donor who saved my life.” I hope this letter conveys my appreciation. You will continue to be in our prayers.
