One Percent

E Thompson Sr. Ray

Description

I n the course of time, I lived through an incredible experience. It began around the time my wife and I renewed our wedding vows. It was from that point forward my health began to decline. I went through the loss of appetite and energy, until I was left to nothing at all. It was from there that I went into the hospital. I traveled from hospital to hospital until I ended up in North Carolina. Over an 8-week period of time, after tests, IVs, blood transfusions and other medical treatment. I was discharged from the hospital feeling like a new person.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Memoir

Informations

• Publié par: Book Venture Publishing LLC
• Date de parution: 09 août 2018
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781643480121
• Langue: English

Extrait

Copyright © 2018 by Ray E. Thompson, Sr. and LyRae D. Nelson-Thompson
 
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
 
BookVenture Publishing LLC 1000 Country Lane Ste 300
Ishpeming MI 49849 www.bookventure.com
Hotline:
1(877) 276-9751
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1(877) 864-1686
 
Ordering Information:
Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address above.
 
Printed in the United States of America.
 
Library of Congress Control Number
2018948498
ISBN-13:
Softcover
978-1-64348-009-1
Hardback
978-1-64348-010-7
Pdf
978-1-64348-011-4
ePub
978-1-64348-012-1
Kindle
978-1-64348-013-8
 
Rev. date: 07/13/2018
Contents
Acknowledgments  
Chapter 1: At First Sight  
Chapter 2: Renewal of Vows  
Chapter 3: The Big Move  
Chapter 4: Depression  
Chapter 5: Final Decline  
Chapter 6: Confusion  
Chapter 7: The Transfer  
Chapter 8: Flight  
Chapter 9: Visiting Hours  
Chapter 10: North Carolina  
Chapter 11: Transplant List  
Chapter 12: Complication  
Chapter 13: ICU  
Chapter 14: The Transplant  
Chapter 15: Delirium  
Chapter 16: Waking Up  
Chapter 17: Post-Op  
Chapter 18: Recovery  
Chapter 19: Going Home  

Acknowledgments  
T his book is dedicated to my incredible wife and life-long partner, LyRae D. Nelson-Thompson, who was also my co-author , along with my two awesome children, Ray E. Thompson, Jr. and Son’Serae A. Thompson. In addition to these important people in my life I must include my Mother, Elsie M. Thompson. To the memory of my father, Reverend Albert A. Thompson, and my grandmother in-love, Mrs. Barbara G. Nelson. As I travel the roads of my mind, I must remember the following individuals: James and Carolyn, Angeline and Valentine, Pastor Stephen, Evangeline and James, Roger and Lynette, Roger II, Jackie, Kim, Joyce and Earl, Danny, Ray and Sharon, Rodney (Best Friend), Glen (Best Friend), Christopher (Best Friend) and Gale, Debra, Pastor Scottie and Regina. I also thank God for all of those that sent flowers, cards, and gifts. For all those who called, texted and most of all prayed.

Chapter 1  
At First Sight
I am forty-eight years old. I lived my life the best I could. I learned the hard way, and most importantly, I loved fiercely.
I have been lying in this hospital bed for days, with nothing to look at but the ceiling. It looks different today.
Am I tilting my head a little too much to the right?
How long has that crack been there?
Did it appear when I was sleeping?
Was I even asleep?
I cannot tell anymore.
My eyes betray me.
The only thing in this room that gives me comfort is the sound of the heater. It never changes. From the time I got here to the time I am in now, whatever it may be, it remains a vibrating but soothing constant.
You see, I have been healthy for the most part. I would not call myself athletic, but I would not call me lazy either. I am your typical try guy—to say the least.
Being here, in this hospital, is something I never thought would happen to me. If you are someone who’s not used to being in a cramped space with tubes inside you, then you’ll know what I am talking about. It is the little things you see that you tend to amplify.
A nurse is here, checking my vitals. As a part of what seems to be a routine line of questioning, she asks, “Do you know who the president is?”
I nod to confirm. “It is President Trump.”
“And do you know what date it is?”
I try to recall the last few days. It has been hazy, but I know. “It is the thirty-first of January 2017.”
“Do you know where you are?”
“I am at WellSpan York Hospital, in York, Pennsylvania.”
“Very good,” she says as she types some information into the laptop. She pushes the laptop and its platform over to the side, gives me a quick smile, and leaves.
I follow her with my gaze toward the door. I cannot help but notice the empty chairs on the sides.
Has it been that long since the last time I was in a room full of kind and loving people?
Has it been that long since my last homemade meal?
Where has everyone gone to?
I have been so tired lately, any extra movements, and talking, just exhausts me. Even the nonthreatening effort of thinking takes a toll on me. As I watch the nurse leave, I feel myself start to drift in and out of consciousness. They say that before you pass, your life flashes before your eyes like a movie—a silver screen of memories. I breathe in, breathe out, and let the film roll.
*****
Once again, it was 1986, and I was two weeks in as a freshman at Howard University, Washington, D. C. It was a warm day in August, and I was on the Yard walking rather aimlessly when an overwhelming feeling washes over me. I looked around at this large expanse of grass and trees, and I knew that I was standing on hallowed ground. A lot of memories have been made here, and I was going to make a few of my own.
I found myself in front of the Fine Arts building. As I looked up, I saw a young lady. She was weaving through a sea of students coming toward me. It seemed to me that she too was wandering around, just like I was. She ended up stopping in front of me. I thought she looked familiar when we locked eyes. I was not sure whether I met her before or if I had seen her around campus. I thought about it for a second, and I realized that I saw her during registration. She was in the same line. She had a “Don’t I know you?” look on her face when she saw me, and so I decided to strike up a conversation.
“Hey, didn’t I see you in the registration line?”
“Yes! That is why you look so familiar! I am Felicia, nice to meet you,” she replied.
I said to her, “My name is Ray, nice to formally meet you.”
We were both freshmen. I learned that Felicia, like me, was from New Jersey. We had a great conversation. We talked a lot about where we grew up. Eventually, I asked her what brought her to Howard University. She told me it was the prestige and the legacy. She was inspired by the many prominent African Americans who went to Howard and that was what brought her to the school. Before I could ask her who inspired her the most, she asked me the same question.
“What brought you to Howard University?” she asked.
Without hesitation, I replied, “I came here to find a wife.”
She paused, her eyebrows shot up, and her eyes grew wide. She was startled by that. Then her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?” she asked curiously.
“Well, secondary, I am here for an education. My primary goal is to find a wife,” I told her.
“Well, what kind of woman are you looking for?”
“The young lady that I came to look for is no taller than five feet two inches. She is on the quiet side and very ladylike. She has a darker skin complexion, a well-rounded and sweet individual.”
“That is kind of funny!” she said, amused.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“It is a little bizarre,” she said and laughed again. “I have two roommates, and you just described one of them.
I did not expect that. I was totally shocked. “I would like to meet your roommate,” I said to her then.
“Here she is now,” she said as she nodded toward the person approaching us. “Dee! Over here.” She waved Dee over.
I was surprised and confused that the young lady I was looking at was six feet tall and fair skinned. As Dee approached us, I saw that she was approaching with another young lady.
“Ray, these are my roommates Dee,” Felicia said, gesturing toward the tall girl, “and LyRae,” referring to the young lady who was hidden from my view until then.
L yRae .
The person who was standing before me was exactly the person I had just described as my future wife. She was the one, and I knew it instantly. It was as if God was telling me, “This is your wife, LyRae.” It was about seventy-eight degrees outside, normal for that time of year. She was dressed in sensible clothing. She donned shorts, a simple T-shirt, and sandals. She was prim and proper, very lady-like. She carried herself in a way that made you want to address her as “Ma’am.” She seemed like she was very much in control of herself, even in chaotic situations, like she always maintained a level head.
“Hello,” was all I could muster. I could not say anything. I was awestruck.
“Hello,” Dee and LyRae replied politely.
They told Felicia they were heading to Crampton Auditorium and went on their way. Felicia and I continued with our conversation as LyRae and Dee walked away.
“When you go back to your room and you see LyRae, tell her that she is the woman I came to Howard University to marry,” I said to Felicia.
She smiled and shook her head. “All right, I will.”
She later told me that