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Remember This Sister

The following email was sent to me and a few other Alpha Gams on this board by Wendy (thetasigagd and Mu advisor :) ). I thought it was a great email and I just wanted to share it with some Alpha Gam's who may not have gotten it. There is an address for this sister. It was written on the bottom, but I did not want to include that part so if anyone wants it just PM me. I am sure that Wendy, or any other AGD who got it will be more then willing to share it also.
Wendy-- Thanks for the info about this sister, and I will pass it on to my chapter, its alumnae, and other AGD's. And ha ha, at th4 fact that you sent it to 3 of my email addresses :D

Quote:

Dear Alpha Gamma Delta Sisters,

This past week I have been busy making phone calls and sending e-mail to try to secure information about girls who will participate in recruitment at VSU this fall. As I thumb through an alumnae directory and randomly choose names and phone numbers, I am reminded that I need not feel unsure about calling these strangers since they are, after all, my sisters.

With every call I found women who were open, cordial, and anxious to help. Until this morning...the call was different.

The phone rang two or three times and a lady answered and I asked to speak to Catherine Allison. "Catherine doesn't live here anymore; she lives in Atlanta now...This is her mother; may I ask who is calling?"

I told her my name and that I wanted to talk to Catherine about some girls who would be coming to VSU and participating in recruitment. She replied, "Oh, Alpha Gamma Delta meant so much to Catherine...when she was about to graduate from high school I had to convince her to get involved...she was an only child and I told her she would finally have sisters with a sorority."

Then she offered Catherine's phone number in Atlanta...but with a brief hesitation. She said..."I know Catherine would love to help, but she is very ill now. So if she seems too tired, please understand."

I asked if she could tell me what was wrong. She said that Catherine and her father were very close, and that when he died of cancer, it was very hard for Catherine. Within six months after her father's death, when Catherine was 26, she was diagnosed with diabetes. (I said, oh you know that Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation's philanthropy is diabetes. She said, oh yes, Catherine was very proud of that.) Anyway, during the next several years, Catherine's condition became more and more serious. She is now on the National Transplant Waiting list for a kidney because of the damage from the diabetes - she is in kidney failure. She said the kidney is the most urgent of Catherine's problems, but not the only problem. Catherine also needs a pancreas. AND she stepped off a curb and broke her leg and required pins to repair the break. Now she is suffering with a staph infection in the leg and is fearful that she may lose her leg. She began having lupus-like symptoms, and has just learned that she has a pituitary tumor. She will see the doctor about this tomorrow.

Catherine Allison is 44 years old...she has been sick off and on for 18 years. She is our sister and although I have never met her, my heart is heavy for her. I asked her mother how a match would be found for the kidney transplant. She said that anybody who goes to the Red Cross can be evaluated with a blood test. (Catherine's blood type is O positive.) There are three major areas that have to be a perfect match to find a donor. So they just pray.

I asked her if there was anything that WE could do...she said no, just keep her in your prayers. (She never mentioned that we could be tested as donors, but I suppose that is an option too.)

I wanted you to know about Catherine, because any one of us could be in her situation. As a college student, I'm willing to bet that she never imagined what was in store for her. However, she found in Alpha Gamma Delta a "sisterhood" that she had not known before. I guess the reason I'm writing this is because I want Catherine to know that the "sisterhood" goes on, and that we are here, remembering her in our thoughts and prayers. So....I am including Catherine's address in this message. Personally, I intend to write her - just to say hello and hope you're having a good day. Thought you might be interested in doing the same.

Loyally,

Kathy Armstrong

Tonya,

Thanks for posting Catherine's story. Please pm me her address, because I would love to send her a note.

As many of you know, my grandfather died recently of diabetes complications. My father is Type II diabetic, as is my husband and my mother-in-law. Diabetes colors my life everyday, as it does for millions across the US. I thank God for institutions like the ADA, the JDRF, and yes, the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation.

Let's keep up the good work, for our sisters--like Catherine!

LOL!!! I was trying to post this very email yesterday but it kept saying website busy...

Anyway, I would like to see as many sisters as possible send a note to this sister wishing her well....I was so sad when I read the email!!

Also, Just to clarify, I am an advisor at Mu chapter and am an alum from Theta Sigma. I am still very active with rush (for the last few years behing the scenes) for theta sig!!

UMgirl...sorry about the 3 emails!! I honestly dont know how many times I send things out!! My address book has group mailing list but it doesnt allow you to put a name beside the emails...so to be safe I send it out to all!!:D

If you have one that you prefer to use, just let me know and I will try to limit the amount of emails you recieve from me!hehe

PM me with the address, too, please! I would like to post the message to my chapter's alumnae yahoo group. Thanks! :)

Use any email you want Wendy, its no problem. And I corrected your position in my post to Mu! ;)
Thanx again Wendy.

Tonya

Please PM me her address, too. I would love to send her a note.

My stepfather is also on the list awaiting a kidney transplant due to his diabetes.

Can somebody PM me Catherine's address?!!!

Stories like these are the reason why I have already listed myself as an organ donor (our state DMV keeps tally of that on our license records) , I hope that all of you consider doing that too!
I also have an organ donor card in my wallet, you never know when something could happen, makes me think about getting that will together that I have been putting off, might sound morbid but I think it is simply being prepared.

J - I pmed you.

Catherine lives about 45 minutes from me (Depending on how fast I drive, lol.)

I sent the email to the Atlanta Alum. Chapter Prez who is a GBeta, which I believe Catherine is.

LiEP,
Lynn

I just had to say that I am sooo proud of my sisters and how they have stepped up to help another sister in a time of need!!
It is so comforting to know there are so many people who care!!

I would love to see her face when she recieves notes from Georgia, Hawaii, and Omaha among other places!!!

Ok, I gettin sappy so just thanks !!!!!

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

Liep!!

Dear Sisters,

I recieved this update from an alum in Valdosta, Georgia. Just thought I would let you all know.

I am writing to thank you if you wrote a note or sent a card to Catherine Allison. If you don't remember who I'm talking about, you may not have gotten the first note I sent out about her on July 30th. So I'm sending that note too, just in case.

I got a message on my answering machine from Catherine's mother. She said that the cards and prayers and letters that Catherine has received have meant so very much to her, and that she wanted us to know how much they appreciate all the sisters. She said she would try to reach me again in a day or so with an update on Catherine's condition.

Anyway...I want to encourage you to write her again if you already have, or to send her a note or card now if you didn't get the chance before. I know it's hard to write somebody you don't even know; just keep in mind that she is your "sister", and she will just love hearing from you!

If you would like to have Catherines address to write her or rewrite her Pm me and I will get you her address!

Thanks so much!!

This was recieved tonight and I wanted to show you all what wonderful sisters you are! I am considering sending this information to the Quarterly, What do you all think?

Dear friends,

At the end of July I sent you a letter about my sorority sister Catherine Allison. I asked you to remember her in your prayers, and if you had time, to please send a note to encourage her and just let her know that there are a lot of people who care about her.

Well you have done just that, and her mother called me with an update on Catherine's progress. I wanted to share a little bit of our conversation with you.

Catherine has received over 100 cards and letters from people who care. She is very weak, but she has read them all and her husband is making them into a collage for her. Her mother said that we will never know how much this has lifted her spirits and given her new hope. She has been overwhelmed by the out pouring of love and concern.

She went on to say "I think we have had a little miracle..." Remember that I told you that Catherine was in danger of losing her leg because of the staph infection? Well, they did have to remove the pins in her leg (and as of right now she cannot bear weight on the leg), but they were able to save her leg!
The doctor was amazed that the infection was gone; not a sign of it growing at the site. Hmmmmm, wonder how that happened! There's no doubt in my mind, or in Catherine's, that God is good, and He hears us when we pray.

The prolonged use of dialysis has taken it's toll on Catherine's heart. I don't understand all the medical stuff, but she said that her heart has only been functioning at a 20% ejection rate. However, in the past month, that has increased to 25%. (that's good) Between her cardiologist and endocrinologist, they do not feel that Catherine could survive both a kidney and pancreas transplant right now, so they are hoping for a kidney.

The result of these letters we have been sending to Catherine has been that one of our sorority sisters works in Florida on a "transplant team", and told Catherine that they are doing more transplants in Florida than Georgia right now, and that she should consider getting on the waiting lists in Florida as well.

At this time, I am asking you to go another step with me.
Please continue to communicate with Catherine...she needs to know we will not forget her.
Call her name in your prayers, and let's ask our creator specifically for a kidney for Catherine.

I believe that miracles happen.

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your response to Catherine. My heart was heavy for her...I wanted to help, but didn't know where to start. I asked you to join me, and when you did, you divided the hurt and multiplied the joy. Thank you so very much.

An email update:

HELLO FRIENDS !!!

The news I got tonight is almost too much to believe. Just when my faith is weak, God zaps me with something awesome, and reminds me how much He loves me.

I have been writing to you since August about my Alpha Gamma Delta sister Catherine Allison. I asked you to send her notes of love and encouragement and to add her to your prayers. And you did. And boy is God good!

I want to remind you that Catherine was facing the possibility of losing her leg because of a terrible staph infection she got from having pins in her leg. And we prayed for Catherine's leg and when the doctors operated, they removed the pins and the infection was gone and they were amazed. And Catherine still has her legs!

Then I wrote you and told you that now I wanted us to pray specifically for a kidney. Catherine has been on the transplant waiting list for sixteen months. Well................

Catherine's mother called me tonight. Last Sunday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. Catherine got a call to come to the hospital because they had a match for her. Within an hour she was at the hospital getting prepped for surgery. Catherine got that new kidney and it started working right there in the operating room. And it is working great and Catherine came home from the hospital today!

Her mother said that Catherine is in a lot of pain from the surgery, but that she is already feeling so much better with the new kidney. So THANKS BE TO GOD!!!

I don't want to forget the family of the kidney donor. They most likely are grieving for someone they love very much, and my heart hurts for them. I just wish we could tell them how much their sacrifice means to us!

Catherine still needs a pancreas. The doctors said that they want to wait about a year for Catherine to get stronger before they pursue that issue. So let's continue to pray...OK? I am so sorry for Catherine's pain, but it sure has been a blessing for me.

Thank you all for being such wonderful friends to me, and for sharing with me in a journey of faith and miracles! You are a comfort and source of strenghth for me, and obviously, to Catherine too.

Please keep her in your prayers, and if you get a minute, send her another note.
***************

Congrats and Red and Buff roses to especially to Catherine but, also to her family, the donors family and all the Alpha Gams who kept her in their thoughts.
I am going to send her another card!

Wonderful Update

This as in my emai tonight!!!

Dear Alpha Gam sisters...

I bring you tidings of great joy !!!! Sounds like a Christmas song...feels like a Christmas present.

About two years ago, I wrote to you about a young woman who was an Alpha Gamma Delta, that I heard about when I was calling for RIFs for formal recruitment. Although I had never met her, I felt driven to ask you for your prayers for her. She is a diabetic, and had suffered for 17 years, and was in need of a kidney and a pancreas, and was not given much hope about either, since because of the combination of medical problems, her heart was not functioning properly. I wrote to you and asked you to pray specifically for a kidney for Catherine, since that was the area of most immediate concern. I also asked you to flood her with cards and notes to remind her that there was a sisterhood that cared for her, and to keep her chin up. Today I want to say thank you for helping save a sister's life!

I prayed for Catherine for almost a year, and sent her notes and cards and little stuff. I heard from Catherine's mother several months after we started praying, and she told me that Catherine did indeed get a kidney, and was doing quite well. After that, time passed and I got wrapped up in my own little world again, and didn't hear anymore from Catherine, her husband, or her mom. Until today.

Because of our "chain of prayer", during that first year, Catherine received cards and letters from all over the United States, wishing her well, and reminding her that there were people thinking of her and remembering her in prayer. She got so many cards, that her husband made a collage out of them for her. Below are some of the comments she included in her letter to me.

"I think Blanche du Bois was pretty perceptive when she said, 'I have always relied upon the kindness of strangers'. I guess that sometimes a stranger's unexpected efforts can get through the fog of fear and depression better than those of people who love you. (At that time, you worry that loved ones are obligated to be nice.)"

"As you know, Theta Sigma sent a darling Bid Day t-shirt and Alpha Gam jersey. What you don't know is I wore them to dialysis so I would remember the sweet and thoughtful girls who were thinking of me. The jersey in particular, made me want to be tougher, stronger, and more worthy of those special Greek letters and the women who wear them. Even after more than 25 years, becoming an Alpha Gam is still one of the best decisions I've ever made."

"The cards and letters reminded me that God often speaks to us and sends us His love through the actions of other people. Not only did I get re-energized in my faith but all those prayers brought real miracles! If averages are to be believed, I had 8 to 12 more months before a kidney would become available. I got my new kidney about 7 weeks after you and your friends began praying for me. I don't doubt that God received so many prayers on my behalf that He gave me an early transplant just to quiet things down up there!"

"The kidney was an almost perfect match. Thank God, I haven't had any rejection episodes in the 20 months since my surgery. Despite a slew of health problems, this transplant went so well that the transplant team put me on the list for a pancreas. During testing for the kidney transplant my heart function was down about 2/3 ... however, four months after getting my kidney and off dialysis my heart's ejection fraction was in the normal range. In eleven months it was absolutely perfect! "

"I got a phone call on 7/26/04 and received a new pancreas the next morning. It's wonderful! More than that, it's another miracle. Every doctor, nurse, and patient I spoke to warned me that recovery would involve six terrible months of pain, nausea, and other problems. Except for a few times in the hospital, I haven't experienced any of that. I was home in just 9 days. Naturally, there have been complications - minor - and fine-tuning. However, I'm not sure if the doctors are proudest of me or themselves!"

I thought you would all love hearing this as much as I did. I think a huge "Thanks Be To God" is in order! Many thanks to all of you who joined me in prayer for our sister. Miracles do happen.

In the bond,
Kathy Armstrong

BTW the email include a beautiful pic of Catherine and hubby but I haven't mastered the art of pasting pics on GC ;) ;) (It has her address too if you want to send another card.)

This is wonderful news. Praise God!