KENT: Woman thanks participants of Robins’ Donated Leave program
From time to time I have had people ask me to pass along thank you in appreciation for some service that was performed for them. I am always glad to do that.
Pam Shumate contacted me about wanting to thank the people at Robins Air Force Base for donating leave to her while her husband underwent liver transplant surgery.
As a writer, there is no way I can improve on the eloquence of Pam’s words and the gratefulness that she expressed to the men and women of Robins Air Force Base. So the remainder of this column are the words of Pam Shumate.
“In 2010, my husband, Kary, had gallbladder surgery at the Medical Center. When Dr. Arnold opened him up, he saw that the liver did not look right.
“They first sent Kary to the cancer doctor and they came back with the good news that he did not have cancer, but could not explain what was wrong with the liver. As time went on, Dr. Bedgood kept checking on the liver and finally the decision was made to go to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta to get on the transplant list. Kary was diagnosed with NASH (Non-Alcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver from diabetes). He was placed on the transplant list at Piedmont Hospital around the May/June time frame of 2013. After many complications, we received the phone call on Jan. 23, 2014, that he would receive the new liver. He was in long-term care facilities most of last year in Atlanta from complications with the lungs and kidneys but the liver is working just fine. Kary and I are so thankful for the good Lord and everything He has done for us.
“To the people at Robins AFB and the Donated Leave program: I have a T-shirt that pretty much sums it up, “Let me tell you about my year.” I just want to say “thanks” to everyone that has donated leave to me so that I could be there for Kary during his transplant and recovery. In 2014, my husband, Kary Shumate, was able to get a liver transplant at Piedmont Hospital, in Atlanta, Georgia. After the transplant, he went through long-term care facilities for most of the year.
“Thanks to all my friends and co-workers for the leave that was donated to me and for being such good wingmen.
“Words cannot express my gratitude to everyone at Robins that was able to help me with my journey last year. Love to you all, Pam Shumate.”
Alline Kent can be contacted at 396-2467 or allinekent@cox.net.
This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 2:03 PM with the headline "KENT: Woman thanks participants of Robins’ Donated Leave program ."