Appendi....What?

My mom and sisters, Holly and Heather

You know what's important to me? My family. I love them. A lot. Our family has always been pretty tight-knit. Friends may come and go, but my family has always been there. They are my best friends. The gospel has blessed our family in many ways. I have two older brothers and two younger sisters (they are twins), and we are fairly close in age. A few years ago, my sister, Heather, had an almost near death experience. I asked her to send me her story in her own words, and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ enabled her to get through it.

"When I got back from the pioneer trek (a short reenactment of the pioneers journey across the plains), in August of 2007, I got sick. My stomach hurt really bad. It was achy, distended, and sore for about eight days. I would cry because the pain was so severe. My mom took me to the doctor's office on day five. They didn’t know what was wrong with me. They thought it was probably just some sort of flu bug. I wasn’t getting any better, so we went back on the seventh day. X-rays were taken. The doctors called after we got home and said they found a mass or infection in my stomach. They told us to go to Primary Children’s Hospital in the morning. There were many doctors that looked at me to find out what was wrong. One thought it was a ruptured appendix and that I would have to go into surgery to get it taken care of. I had waited eight days for this infection to spread throughout my body.

Me and Heather

"The doctors had to make sure it was a ruptured appendix, so they made me drink this juice stuff so when I took the C.T. scan they could see what was inside my stomach. Yes, that was it. When I woke up from surgery, I had a tube in my nose, an oxygen mask by my face, a catheter, and two draining tubes hooked to my stomach to release the rest of the infection. Later, they put a P.I.C. line in my arm to give me nutrients. I don’t think I realized how serious the situation was and I still have a hard time believing this actually happened.

"I remember on the third day I was in the hospital, my family’s home teachers (members of the church who visit different families) came to visit me. That Wednesday had been really emotional for me, because all realization of what had happened seemed to hit that day. I remember thinking, why is this happening to me? My home teacher gave me a priesthood blessing. Afterwards, I felt like everything was going to be okay and that I was supposed to go through this. Thinking about what my Savior has done for me, helped me be strong throughout this whole experience.

"Experiencing a near death situation has tremendously strengthened my testimony on prayer because I know that many people were praying and fasting for me; people I didn’t even know, and their prayers were answered. I was in the hospital for ten days, and everyday friends and family came to visit me. From this experience I have learned that my family and friends really love and care about me. I think it has strengthened my family in the same way. It truly has changed my life, and I will never forget it."

artwork by Greg Olsen

Heather's experience has strengthened my testimony as well. She is one of my best friends, and it was so hard to see her suffer through something like that. Her life was almost taken, but I know that she was able to stay strong because of Jesus Christ. We can find comfort and strength through him, "Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 7:28) I am so grateful for my Savior. That He has felt everything we've been through. Our families can be strengthened in the gospel, and they can last forever. I know that God's priesthood authority has been restored to the earth. I love my family and I love the gospel.