Last year, I attended Veg Rehoboth’s Thanksliving Dinner in Rehoboth, and my son is alive because I was there.
I tried to get tickets to the event, but they were sold out. My mom tracked down the hosts to privately buy a ticket for my birthday. Little did I know how serendipitous it was.
The event has open seating. A couple came in, the last to be seated at our table; she (Lynda) sat down next to me, and he (David) was across the table from Lynda. During conversations, someone mentioned Reading, Pa.; I said I was there the day before visiting my son who had been in the hospital two-and-a-half months. David asked, “Why is he in the hospital?” Lynda, the woman next to me, said the reason he asked is because he is a retired doctor.
Then I shared my son’s story with our small group. He was put in the hospital because he had fallen down some stairs. He was transferred to a physical rehab, was injured, and then put back in the hospital, where they finally discovered osteomyelitis.
I shared my lack of confidence in the hospital because the surgeons planned two surgeries to get to the spinal infection. My son was in terrible shape and basically dying from the infection.
Dr. David suggested I speak directly with the surgeon and gave me suggestions on how to approach my son's doctors. He also suggested that I get him transferred to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.
The next day, I called the surgeon in Reading and spoke with her. I asked her if she felt confident in doing the surgery on my son or if he would be better off at the University of Penn. She said, “If it were my son, I would transfer him to the University of Pennsylvania.” I said let’s do it; that day, he was transferred.
His case was reviewed by the head of neurosurgery and he was in surgery next morning. The neurosurgeon told my son he could die. Two of his vertebrae had been almost completely dissolved by the bacteria. My son was kept in the hospital just short of six months on IV antibiotics. Thankfully, because he was a disabled veteran, his hospital expenses were covered by the VA.
He is still on the medication. It has not gotten worse, but he now walks with a walker and is slowly improving.
I genuinely believe that if it was not for the 2023 Thanksliving Dinner, my son would not have made it. Serendipity is amazing. If it was not for my mom buying a ticket, then my conversation with Dr. David ... All things happen for a reason.
This is the time of year we count our blessings; I am grateful for having a persistent mom who loves me, the Veg Rehoboth Thanksliving Dinner, and Dr. David’s advice, but most of all, for my son being alive. It still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.
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