SHARING THE
FALL/WINTER 2023
gift gift of life
GIFT OF LIFE TRANSPLANT HOUSE A HOME THAT HELPS AND HEALS
Hope Restored The word “hope” is one we hear again and again at Gift of Life Transplant House. There are many definitions of the word, but the best, I think, is a “confident expectation”. When a guest and caregiver come to stay at Gift of Life, they have a confident expectation that they will find safe, supportive and affordable accommodations. Transplant patients coming to Mayo Clinic have a confident expectation that the staff will do everything possible for the patient and the caregiver. When Mike T. suffered a massive heart attack while preparing for a Men’s Retreat in a remote and small town in North Dakota, the family began a journey
By Mary Wilder of hope. Just as the EMTs arrived 20 minutes later, Mike’s heart failed completely and he passed away. For 6 long minutes, EMTs worked to restore a heartbeat. He was taken by ambulance to the next largest town. He called his wife Roberta during the ride, repeatedly telling her he loved her. He wanted to make sure that she knew how much she was loved. And then she heard some rustling and the line went still. She later learned that Mike had coded again and EMTs were working to restore his life. He was airlifted to Bismarck and Roberta was able to join him. On the 3rd day, the cardiologist came to Roberta and said, “There is no hope. There is nothing more we can do.”