In the words of Vivian Herren:
I’m not sure exactly where I am to begin, but I’ll begin with swimming. I didn’t enter swimming to get a medal. I knew I would not. I swam just because I could. I ended up swallowing water as soon as I started the return trip back down the lane and could feel it in my throat. As soon as I got out of the pool, I began to cough it up.
They called the paramedics to get me checked out. The carried me to the hospital and put me in a room. I saw Dr Roth and a woman Dr. He told me up front that I would have to stay at least 2 days. I told him that I had to be at Field and Track the next day for events (Shot Put, Discus and Softball Throw).
He said lungs were usually worse within 6 hours and I may not get out. By the time they were ready to send me to a room, I had quit coughing up water. He came in my ER room and told me that he sure was surprised. He said that he would not give me a nickel for my lungs when I came into the ER, but that my lungs were clearing up. I told him I talked to the Man upstairs. I also felt other prayers going up for me.
I slept good that night and felt good the next morning. The lady Dr found out that I had finished my laps before getting out of the pool and sent word to my nurse on the floor that I was her hero because I did finish.
The other Dr who was taking care of me came into my room and said he understood that I had somewhere else to go. He asked me what and I told him. He said that he was going to let me out as soon as he could get the papers signed. I was waiting as soon as he did sign the papers. He wished me good luck as I left.
While I was throwing the Discus, I saw this gentleman behind me with a camera watching us. When I had thrown the Discus and was leaving, he introduced himself to me again and said that he could not believe that I almost drowned the day before and was out there doing all that I was doing today. It was the doctor from the hospital! I was really surprised that he came to see me. Most Drs would have let that go in one ear and out the other one.
I know who took care of me and that is where I gain my strength. If it were not for Him, I would not make it in this world. He has really taken care of me. I don’t want people to look up to me. I want them to look to my God and see Him. He can do the same for them.
Filed under: Organ Donation, Organ Recipient, Organ Transplant, Team Alabama, U.S. Transplant Games
