In 2014, David Tedrow’s liver function, and therefore his life, was coming to an end as a result of non-alcoholic cirrhosis. On April 3 of that year, hope was rekindled for David and his family as he received the liver transplant he needed to survive. David is one of four winners of our 2017 Touched by Transplant “New Life” Contest in honor of April’s Donate Life Month.
“April 3, 2014 was not a good day. I was dying. My liver had pretty much shut down. My brain was filling with ammonia. My thinking was clouded. I was so tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. My abdomen was distended with fluid and was very uncomfortable. How much longer?
Somewhere in the fog, I heard the sound of water lapping at a shore. As my vision focused, I saw that it was not water lapping at a shore, but an ancient African woman washing wet clothes at the end of the water. She was rhythmically slapping the wet clothes against a rock. She stood, looked at me, and began to transform into a young man. He looked confused, frightened, and all-knowing at the same time.
We shared secrets (I still don’t know what they were). White light began to course through me and into him. He took on a beatific countenance and vanished.
Around April 6, my earthly eyes began to open. The fog was gone, and the world was new. My family was there, same as they always were, but I was different. No one but me knew how hard the next month would be as I put the world back together. I could not let them know. They had been through so much.
But I was ALIVE.
Three years later, I am fully recovered. I am starting a new business, meeting new people, getting involved with organizations, and even joining meetups. And amidst all of this breaking of new ground, the most precious beginning of all: becoming a grandparent. This life is good!”
David with his wife, Mary
We love David’s unique vision of new life. If this story spoke to you, read more about David’s story at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/4378
In 2014, David Tedrow’s liver function, and therefore his life, was coming to an end as a result of non-alcoholic cirrhosis. On April 3 of that year, hope was rekindled for David and his family as he received the liver transplant he needed to survive. David is one of four winners of our 2017 Touched by Transplant “New Life” Contest in honor of April’s Donate Life Month.
“April 3, 2014 was not a good day. I was dying. My liver had pretty much shut down. My brain was filling with ammonia. My thinking was clouded. I was so tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. My abdomen was distended with fluid and was very uncomfortable. How much longer?
Somewhere in the fog, I heard the sound of water lapping at a shore. As my vision focused, I saw that it was not water lapping at a shore, but an ancient African woman washing wet clothes at the end of the water. She was rhythmically slapping the wet clothes against a rock. She stood, looked at me, and began to transform into a young man. He looked confused, frightened, and all-knowing at the same time.
We shared secrets (I still don’t know what they were). White light began to course through me and into him. He took on a beatific countenance and vanished.
Around April 6, my earthly eyes began to open. The fog was gone, and the world was new. My family was there, same as they always were, but I was different. No one but me knew how hard the next month would be as I put the world back together. I could not let them know. They had been through so much.
But I was ALIVE.
Three years later, I am fully recovered. I am starting a new business, meeting new people, getting involved with organizations, and even joining meetups. And amidst all of this breaking of new ground, the most precious beginning of all: becoming a grandparent. This life is good!”
We love David’s unique vision of new life. If this story spoke to you, read more about David’s story at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/4378
