God's Grace

Today was a long day. But it was filled with God's grace.

God's grace is unmerited favour, it is kindness from God we don't deserve. 

Today, I was scheduled at Toronto General Hospital (TGH) for a number of tests (including an X-Ray), for my second phase of the kidney donor work up. My first phase consisted of a LOT of blood work, an EKG & a urinalysis. Those results came back fine, and by the grace of God I was able to move to the next phase. The tests today were; more blood work & a glucose tolerance test, a GFR renal scan, a CT scan, and a chest X-Ray. 

My parents were unable to come with me for this phase, because my Mom had just had her own set of appointments the day before at the same hospital, and thus could not take off another day of work. So, I woke up bright and early to the sound of rain, and caught a train at 5:07am with my Auntie Julie. We decided to take an early train so that we would have time to get to Union, catch a subway, find our way through the hospital, and check in before my first appointment. 

We decided to sit on the top level in the train, but quickly realized that talking is frowned upon that early in the morning, so we moved to the first floor. Once we reached Union Station, we were lining up to get off the train when I felt a poke on my back. I had no idea who it was, but when I turned around, it was a very dear friend of mine who I had not seen in a long time! I was so surprised and so happy! It turned out that he was walking in the direction in which we needed to go. It had stopped raining, it was warm out and we were all going the same way. Julie and I skipped the subway and walked with my friend until we parted ways - him towards his work, and us towards the hospital. 

As we continued walking, we happened to be right near City Hall and Nathan Philips Square where the giant glowing TORONTO sign is. The area was completely deserted and it was so calm. Since it had rained, the square was covered in water and the sign reflected off the water so beautifully. We had got to Toronto a lot earlier than expected, so we had a lot of free time to stop and take pictures and take our time walking to the hospital. 

Once we reached our destination, I signed in and waited for my name to be called for the first appointment of the day; blood work. After the waiting room emptied out, one person came in while I was sitting there and the nurses called him before me. I gestured to them to say that I had a number and I was before that man. Turns out they had called my number and I had missed it! I then got in right away and the nurse that was helping me was very sweet. There were so many coincidences that we noticed; her sister's name is Riley (my middle name), our last names were spelt very similarly and she even went to college in Oshawa. I also had my giving key necklace on and she asked me about it. I was able to share with her about the word on mine, courage, what the company does and what you are supposed to do with your key. She then looked up the website right there while she was putting stickers on my (9) vials of blood. 

Then we had to go to another area of the hospital where all the rest of the tests would take place. I forgot to mention that I had to fast for my blood work first thing in the morning, and so I hadn't eaten since 7pm the night before. Once I checked in at the next area, the receptionist told me that she would be able to squeeze me in for an X-Ray right then and there. Originally it was scheduled as my last test of the day at 12:45pm and I would have had to fast until then. I was so thankful that I got there early enough and ahead of schedule so that my day would be a little shorter and I would be able to eat a lot sooner. 

After the chest X-Ray, I had a test called a GFR Renal Scan where they injected me with a radioactive fluid. I then had to lay on a table and the table moved into position where these 'cameras' took pictures of my kidneys. The radioactive stuff makes my kidneys and bladder light up very brightly so then can see how they are functioning. It was so cool so to see my two little kidneys on the screen! 

I had some time in between two phases of that one test where Julie and I decided to walk over to the Eaton Centre. It was so close by, it took us less than 10mins to walk there. I ended up getting all my little bit of Christmas shopping done and I even got a new dress for upcoming Christmas parties! 

After I came back and finished the last parts of the Renal Scan test, I moved on to my last and final test which was a CT scan. I had never got one of these before and I didn't know what to expect. It was not bad at all, as I got to wear only hospital gowns (2) which were so comfortable, and I got to lay on yet another table with a pillow. This machine moved me in and out of a scanner that was scanning my abdomen. For this test I had a different injection that makes your whole body warm and it makes you feel like you peed your yourself, haha! But, I had to lay there for over 20 mins so I snuck a little cat nap in. 

Finally, all was done and Julie and I decided to go back to the Eaton Centre to have lunch! I finally could eat!!!!! I was so excited. All day I had felt light headed, so tired and being poked and prodded with multiple needles and injections was very painful. So we went to the food court and I got the best lunch; fries with chilli, sour cream, cheese, onions and tomatoes on top! mmm mm mmm. so good. 

 

We caught the train home, on which we both slept, and I have been reflecting on this day ever since. 

I absolutely cannot get over how BLESSED I am. I noticed God's favour on me all day. He blessed me beyond measure and went above and beyond what I ever expected. I prayed all week leading up to this day, that God would go before me and bless the day for when I got to it. I was thinking it would be nice that I get there on time and I don't pass out, etc. But God, gave me the most unexpected surprise on the train by allowing me to bump into my good friend, and then from there on out, I felt His presence and grace upon me. The nurses, the timing of the appointments, my Auntie Julie being so absolutely wonderful, finding the perfect gifts for my family for Christmas, no rain, warm weather, the list goes on. 

Never doubt God. Always trust Him and believe that He will answer your prayers. Pray with specificity and with passion, He will answer those prayers - but sometimes He will answer them in ways you never had imagined. God's grace is unmerited favour and kindness that we don't deserve, and I 100% felt that today. I felt all the prayers and love from my close friends and family, and I saw God in everyone I encountered and everything that happened. 

This journey is so rewarding! It's challenging and next year is quite daunting, but my family has God on our side and He goes before us and is working things out for when we get there. We have seen Him answer prayers time and time again, even down to the smallest tiniest thing like a number on a piece of paper. We know He will answer our prayers and bring healing to my momma through my kidney. 

I trust God with all I am, which means I am ready for anything. 
In omnia paratus