An Important Exchange
February 25, 2008
All three arrived at Casualty at the same time. A dispute over cows had turned ugly. Guns were fired, two were killed and the rest were brought to our hospital. The most seriously injured were taken to the operating theatre immediately. A few minutes later, Dr. Russ and I took this patient to surgery. He had been shot in the leg just below the knee. The bones were shattered, the foot was cold and numb. He lost a lot of blood at the time of the injury and on the way. A makeshift tourniquet wrapped tightly around the injury and soaked in blood had probably saved his life.
In the operating room, the bleeding was controlled and the injuries quickly assessed. The main artery and vein behind the knee were torn in two. Only a few fibers held the main nerve together. Any chance of saving this man’s leg would require immediately restoring blood flow to the leg. We quickly removed a vein from his other leg and proceeded to replace his torn artery with this harvested vein. The operation is difficult because of the location of the injury, deep behind the knee. Nevertheless, within a little over an hour, the blood was again pulsating to his leg. Once the flow was restored though, the leg began to ooze blood from where all the bullet fragments had torn through the tissue. The patient became unstable, his blood pressure dropped, he was cold and his blood was as thin as Kool-Aid. All of us at the OR table knew that the combination of a cold patient in shock with continued bleeding is often a spiral that cannot be reversed, quickly leading to death.
We called for blood, but the technicians in the lab reported that it wouldn’t be available for another 25 minutes, and they said, when it was available, it would be cold, straight from refrigeration. The situation was desperate. The patient continued to bleed, the blood pressure continued to plummet. Dr. Russ dropped out of the case; he said he wanted to go to the lab to see if he could help retrieve the blood while we continued the resuscitation. Fifteen minutes later, he returned with a big bag of warm blood. It was quickly transfused, the patient began to stabilize, and we were able to proceed with an operation that controlled his bleeding. Everyone in the operating theatre knew that the blood that saved this man’s life was Dr. Russ’s.
A few hours later, I talked to the young man about the operation, and I explained to him that if it had not been for Dr. Russ donating his blood, he would have died on the OR table. The realization that a man who was a total stranger gave his blood to save his life began to sink in. He had no words to convey his gratitude.
Later, I was there when Dr. Russ asked him if he knew Jesus as his Savior. He did not. And then Dr. Russ explained that it was one thing for him (Dr. Russ) to give his blood to save this young man’s physical life. But two thousand years ago, Jesus gave His blood to save us and give us eternal life. Even though this young man didn’t commit his life to Jesus that night, I believe a seed was planted in his heart that he will never forget. That night in a remote mission hospital in Africa, I was reminded that we have no words to convey our gratitude for what Jesus has done for us.
From Africa with love,
Paul
Wow! What an amazing story. I miss and love y’all<3
I am going to miss these awesome stories when your time is up there. Wish you would continue these updates in the States. Give us our daily incisions.
I enjoy reading all my messages from Joel Olsteen every day, I forward the message to my home so I can read all the good stories you share with us, God bless you all and keep safe. I would like to thank the Olsteen family for being such wonderful people, you all inspired me to be better no matter how hard my situation is. I feel that by receiving your messages every day I been blessed by God and he keeps me going. God bless you.
Dalila
What an amazing story. Really I cannot think of more love than this, that a doctor will will do this kind of thing for his patient. The Lord will bless and reward you Dr Russ and thank you so much for the work you and your family have done in Kenya. We Kenyans do appreciate and we thank God for you and on behalf of Kenyans I once again thank you. May the Lord bless you all. Come again, you are welcome.
What a lesson learned and what an exemple! I thank the Holy Spirit who whispered this thought to Dr Russ, that he recognized his prompting and immediately obeyed. Life is in the blood indeed says the Bible!!To God be the glory. May he reward you all trying to serve the Lord by the demonstration of kingdom principles.
What an incredible story!! That guy will never be the same. Every time that x-patient
looks at the scars on his leg, he’ll remember Dr. Russ and the gift of life he gave. I beleive that seed will grow.
Paul, we miss you and your family. Have a safe trip home.
Your brother, Robin
Good morning Dr. Paul…every time I read your blogs, I’m moved to tears. When I talk to my friends and family about Lakewood I share about your mission in Kenya which blesses them and me…I’m proud to know you. Love you and believing God’s best for you and your family. Kay
I am inspired by this beautiful story and I believe God’s blessings will be tremendous upon those who give to others not expecting anything in return.
Dr. Paul,
My eyes couldn’t stop tearing as I read your account. To be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth certainly takes sacrifice. Thanks for showing us what that looks like in a life saving way! To God be the glory in that He restored life, but also may Dr. Ross be blessed for listening to The Still Small Voice and taking action.
I pray for all of you!
Melanie
What an amazing story of sacrifice, miracles, love, and healing!
Oh the blood that GIVES us strength from day to day
IT WILL NEVER LOSE ITS POWER!!
It reaches to the highest mountain,
it flows to the lowest valley;
the blood that gives me strength
from day to day,
it will never lose its power.
PRAISE BE TO GOD IN HEAVEN FOR YOUR OBEDIENCE TO GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND SHARE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!!
I have been so incredibly moved reading your testimonies. God bless you all.
Godspeed!
Roxanne Worsham
They ‘cared’ with the use of ‘mud and spit’ (physicians, surgery, blood donation and transfusion, prayer etc.) Then they introduced him to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, planting that seed. They recognized their limitations but not Jesus’s. Often as christian’s who are in the traditional medical field we limit Jesus. We sometimes confuse ‘caregiving’ with ‘curegiving.’ and ‘cure’ with ‘healing.’ It’s only me…. No time…..What if….. With the many opportunities we have to touch, there are opportunities for silent prayer. Prayer in the hospital is considered an activity rather than an intervention, as the opportunity presents itself ,use it. We can represent Jesus in our next stressful situation. Sometimes, the best way to pray for the patient is to pray for ourselves and our team. See John chapter 9:1-41. The blind man was physically healed (saw), then believed, then witnessed to his family and community. Thank you, DR.’s Paul, Russ and team for this timely reminder.
POWERFUL!! So VERY powerful…
This message will never lose its impact and speaks to us all.
Thank you for sharing.
Looking forward to seeing all of you soon.
Our love and blessings,
Paul & Joy
Thank you so much for an amazing story and good work you have done in Kenya. The story really touched my heart to see a doctor demonstrating Christ in him. May the Lord truly bless you all. Rachel (Kenyan)
What can you say after reading a story like this one except, WOW! As with many others who have left comments, I was moved to tears by this incredible example of our precious Lord’s compassion for human life. I commend Dr. Russ, he sounds like a very fine Dr. and brother in Christ.