Miracles
Every now and then someone tells a story that impels us to share. The following is such a story, a recent real life experience told in a letter from internationally known scientist “RI” to his fellow biologists:
I want to share with you some events of the last few days, that I believe are a true “Christmas Miracle” and forever changed my life. On December 6th, after a protracted dental appointment, I went shopping in a store located close to Jefferson. Without warning, I fell to the ground and, less than a minute later, I lost consciousness. When I came to, I realized that one side of my body was completely paralyzed. Luckily, two wonderful women helped me and immediately called for an ambulance. Within 15 minutes I was in the nurses’ room at Jefferson where a very bright and quick-thinking resident injected me with r-TPA (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator) that effectively and literally saved my life. While my condition improved, it did not improve enough. Thus, I underwent surgery half an hour later to remove a very large blood clot lodged in the frontotemporal region. The blood clot was successfully removed and additional r-TPA was introduced directly into my brain. Miraculously, these two therapeutic strategies worked to perfection and my large frontotemporal ischemia disappeared.
When I woke up, I found myself surrounded by friends and family. Their faces told me how serious they thought the situation was, and believed that the damage was irreparable and irreversible. At first, I could not speak at all. I was conscious but unable to communicate with anyone. You can imagine the inner fear, the panic, the frustration, the pain and the sense of helplessness. Fortunately, this was of short duration. Within two hours, I regained the ability to speak and by 8:30 pm, I was able to walk again! I had no lasting paralysis. By 11:00 pm, all of the blood tests came back normal, and by 3:15 am the brain MRI showed only a minimal ischemic area of about 2 mm. Given the confluence of factors regarding my truly dire situation, it is justifiable in calling this experience nothing short of a miracle. This was confirmed the next day, as a CT scan showed minimal lesions. Given my age, I would consider this rapid and complete recovery to be impossible! One of my dearest friends wrote me: “RI…..keep thinking about our conversation this morning and how thankful I am that your recovery is complete. What a blessing! I believe that God truly does perform miracles and that He does them for a purpose. Now you just have to figure out what the purpose is.”
I am so grateful to have another chance in life and I am truly blessed for having so many wonderful friends and colleagues. This experience has renewed my zest for life in all that I do, and with this new viewpoint I eagerly look forward to many happy and healthy years filled with family, friends, and of course, fruitful research endeavors.I wish you and your families a wonderful Holiday Season.
-RI
RI insightfully introduced the letter by saying:
“Dear Friends, the attached letter will surprise you and [the experience] changed my life forever. In no way I seek sympathy, but I would like you to know what happen last week directly from me. I would like to speak about the kindness of others, the quick thinking of a well-trained resident, the fear and humanness in all of us, as well as the miracles of modern medicine and those that are more inexplicable. What a truly miraculous event, clearly it was not my time. With much love to all of you, -RI”
In humility I look around me and see Sean B. Carroll’s “endless forms most beautiful,” and I am aware and mindful that miracles are happening all the time. God is good! ☺
Charles Barker, MD
President
Compassionate DFW
