It’s taken seventeen years for me to write formally about it. I’ve journaled, and mentioned it in old blog posts, but as far as sharing much detail with the world about my life transforming experience, I haven’t done that. Yet.
But I’m diving into it now. Each chapter of my next book, Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over, releasing through Barbour Publising in April, 2015, will offer Insider Insights in three different categories.
- Emotional Healing
- Practical Help
- Spiritual Comfort
These are ways real-life people who’ve experienced very traumatic events have found to get through things some of us can’t even imagine. Through research, interviews, and lessons learned from my own personal adversity, I’m striving to write the book from the every day person’s perspective. This will not be a psychological text book. But don’t worry, I’m also sharing plenty of authoritative information based on the latest medical findings, as told by experts on the forefront of pioneering break-throughs. And I plan to have the entire book reviewed by at least one, if not multiple professional therapists.
Now that you have the insider scoop on background, let me tell you what I’m writing the first time for the public. One of my chapters is tentatively called, Scars of Love, (feel free to comment and let me know whether the title is a thumbs up or down in your opinion). The true story of my experience as a living donor for my sister’s kidney transplant. Our surgery was seventeen years ago, and when I say it transformed my life, this is no exaggeration.
Throughout the screening process to see if I was a match, various doctors and nurses said the same thing to me. “The transplant surgery will be harder on you than for your sister. Her body is sick, and should immediately feel better with a new, healthy kidney. Yours however, will go into shock at having a vital organ removed.”
But let me assure you, their statements didn’t cover the gamut of what, it will be harder on you, truly meant. Just yesterday, I was able to share my perspective with the Outreach Coordinator for St. Louis University Hospital’s transplant team — seventeen years later. I’m excited to say, it looks like I may get the chance to help doctors and nurses understand what it feels like in the skin of a living donor. The emotional fears, practical concerns, confused thoughts, and other roller coaster emotions. Even as you are determined and happy to give the gift of life.
I’m excited to walk today’s transplant process, visiting with everyone on the team from surgeons to PR/marketing, and find out how technology has changed over the past seventeen years. Although I understand patient and family outreach hasn’t quite caught up. But how thrilling to influence improvements in that area. What an honor.
But I may also have the privilege of mentoring patients and their families who are considering donation, or have committed to doing so. When I went through the transplant process, I would have given almost anything to meet someone like me. Healthy, whole, happy. Who stood as visible proof that life for the living donor can not only be good, but better as a result of a life-changing sacrifice.
All of this ties directly into my writing. After all, this is Writing Wednesday. Putting life experiences on the pages does many positive things.
- It’s cathartic for the author.
- It can provide insights to those impacting a situation.
- And it can offer encouragement to those who are struggling.
When Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over is finished, whether a reader needs the information and hope found in one story, or the entire book, my desire is it will help others live healthy, whole, and happy. Life can blindside us with circumstances we’ll never get over, but be assured, we can get through.
You don’t have to walk alone in the dark tunnel — books and other resources by those who’ve made it through ahead of you can offer guidance. Don’t stop moving forward and looking, eventually you can find light at the end of that tunnel. And then you can hold out your hand to help someone else coming behind.
Anita Fresh Faith
Are you struggling to get through something you can’t get over? Have you walked through a dark tunnel and stepped into the light? Do you know anyone who is a living donor?
Isaiah 42:7 (NLT)
You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.
Anita Agers-Brooks is a Business and Inspirational Coach, national speaker, Communications Specialist, Certified Personality Trainer, Productivity Expert, and Certified Training Facilitator. Anita is also the author of, First Hired, Last Fired — How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market. Her new book, Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over, releases through Barbour Publishing in April, 2015.
She’s a partner in The Zenith Zone, a business coaching firm. Member of the Christian Writer’s Guild, Toastmasters, and a client of WordServe Literary Group. A graduate of CLASSeminars for Leaders, Speakers, and Authors, a co-founder of The StoryWriting Studio, and speaker on circuit for Stonecroft International Ministries. Anita co-hosts a weekly podcast, Engaging Life and Leadership with Darren Dake, available on iTunes, Stitcher, and other podcast platforms.
Anita is passionate about business with integrity, healthy relationships, and issues of identity. She travels the country teaching others from her personal experiences and research. She believes it’s never too late for a fresh start with fresh faith.
Her favorite pastime is lounging by a river or lake in Missouri, laughing with her husband of thirty years, Ricky.
Follow her FreshFaith blog anitabrooks.com. You may contact her via website www.brooksanita.com/contact/ or email anita@anitabrooks.com.
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