My visiting friend told me yesterday of an incident last month. She had indulged her boys and bought hard candies at the grocery store. On the way home, she noticed her seven year old up and moving in the mini-van. She was going to yell at him, but quickly saw that he was choking and turning purple.
Her ten year old son said he had learned what to do in Scouts. He stood up, gave the two-fingered Scout salute, and performed the Heimlich Maneuver on his brother. Immediately, the candy flew out of the brother’s mouth.
“You saved my life,” the younger boy gasped. The older brother quietly shrugged and sat down, buckling his seat belt. Just a simple good deed. No big deal, right?
This morning, very early, I had the honor of driving my friend to the hospital for surgery. She was donating one of her kidneys to a woman she finally met for the first time last week. Most of the minor stressors were related to worrying about getting up on time, and concerns about potential traffic on the drive (I myself kept waking up and praying that the baby would stay sleeping for Bill while I was gone). But absent was any anxiety about undergoing major abdominal surgery and losing an organ.
Just a simple good deed. No big deal, right?
We got out the door on time. There was minimal traffic. The baby only screamed at Bill for 10 minutes. I was home in plenty of time for him to get to his 730 am appointment.
The surgery went well, although my friend was vomiting as of an hour ago – a typical response to anesthesia. And the transplant “took.” So far, so good. A few prayers for quick healing for both women would be appreciated.
Reit This Way 
A big THANKS to your friend for helping someone else have a new lease on life.And thanks to YOU for your part in making sure that happened!I pray that the recovery will go smoothly for her and that the kidney will be a perfect match for the recipient.
wow, you have an amazing friend! r
You’ve got a wonderful friend there. I will pray for her quick recovery.
wow! You friend sounds like quite an amazing woman. I will pray for her – quick recovery with no problems, and for the person who received the kidney. Stories like this are great at reminding us of the beauty and love in our world.
Your friend’s son should be nominated for an award. The boy scouts often give special awards to boys who use their scout training to help or save a life. He should be rewarded and applauded for his cool head and quick thinking.
Okay…that’s awesome! Later I hope she won’t mind if I ask where her incision is…I read about this sort of thing a month or two ago and wonder if they might have used the same technique I read about (umbilical incision).
Amy, my friend does intend to get her son a Scouting award. She’s just been a little distracted with surgery!AK, I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure they didn’t go through the belly button. I’ll find out next week.
Oh my goodness, Prayers for all involved and what a selfless woman she is!
People can be so nice.