January 6, 2019
KIM’S STORY
What can you say about someone like Kim - Kimberly Ann Dunlap Montgomery Tankersley. No matter which last name you’ve known her by, you know that to know her is to love her.
Kim was born in central West Virginia, the fourth of six girls. She was born with more hair than the others and her mom styled her hair on the top of her head with one big finger-curl. Kim was the family’s own live Qewpee Doll! As a child, Kim was a happy, friendly and caring little girl. Smiling. Sweet. And that hasn’t changed. But life has changed, as life always does.
As a woman who just turned 53 years old, Kim is still friendly and caring - often too much so. If you know Kim, you know what we mean. If Kim could design her world, it would be overflowing with laughter, songs, puppies, babies, sunshine, flowers, and rainbows! And we all know that to have flowers and rainbows, there has to be some rain. And there has been.
Right now, our Kimbo is facing the biggest rain storm of her life: liver transplant surgery.
Family and friends had noticed it was becoming increasingly difficult for Kim to maintain her strength, physically and mentally. She was on Duke’s transplant list and she knew “the call” could come at any time. The transplant coordinator had called her the night of her birthday to discuss her preferences, so it was a surprise to get another call a few hours later on January 3, 2019. (There’s a story to be told about that but we’ll save it for another time.)
It was a long 5-hour drive from Saint Albans, West Virginia to Durham, North Carolina but Kim’s husband got her to Duke University Hospital by daylight. There was check-in, then preparation, then there was waiting. And more waiting. It would soon be dark. Family and friends held their mobile phones close. Finally the surgery began. Understanding it could take anywhere from four to ten hours, from first cut to last stitch, and also that the surgery could be aborted at any time, we were surprised Kim’s surgeon came out after only five hours. Surely, we thought, that must be a good sign. And it was!
Kim is progressing well - as well as can be expected under these circumstances - but this is only the beginning of a long healing process. No doubt, the pain and other discomfort she is currently experiencing is indescribable, so we won’t attempt to paint that picture here. We focus on the positive and we thank God. Many, many prayers were answered, and we are so very thankful for the organ donor, the transplant team, and the hospital staff. And we thank you. Your continued prayers and well wishes are much appreciated and still needed.
Statistics say that medical costs for a liver transplant, including rehabilitation expenses, may be as high as a million dollars. Some say higher. Kim and her husband will soon face the challenges of finding money to pay for the deductibles, and the not covered medical supplies, medications, special foods and supplements, temporary housing, and travel expenses. (She is required to live within a 1-hour radius of Duke University Hospital for an average of 30-days post discharge. And after that, she can go home but is required to return to Duke for followup medical visits.)
Please help Kim through these storm clouds and help her see the sunshine again!
> Pray.
> Make a donation (using the Give button under Kim's picture).
> Send Kim a happy note (using the Guestbook section below).
~Thank You~
