Forward to the Kingdom!

Frances DeHart shared this touching story about her friend Carol Zamora. She reported last night that Carol did so well in rehabilitation that she was able to go home yesterday!

 

“Why me? Why not me!”

This was Carol Zamora’s response to the devastating news that a bacterial infection had attacked her body, resulting in the amputation of both her forearms and lower legs.

In December 2008, while visiting her brother and family near Dallas, Texas, she became very ill and was rushed to the hospital. Her husband, Robert, and her two daughters, Christie and Dee, were called to come immediately as Carol was not expected to live.

Carol’s body was already shutting down. She was experiencing acute kidney failure, which, as her tests showed later, was a result of contracting streptococcus pneumonia.

Many prayers went up on her behalf, and she continued to hang on. There was no circulation in her lower arms and legs and eventually they had to be amputated. The doctors told her that patients rarely survive with as severe an infection as she had developed, but Carol is a fighter and her faith in God brought her through.

One condition she has been coping with for years is sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease. This is a multiorgan disease of unknown origin that produces tiny lumps of cells and can appear in almost any body organ. Symptoms include fatigue, fever and an overall feeling of ill health. It varies among patients, but lungs, heart, liver and spleen can be affected.

Several years passed before anyone knew just how ill she was. If anyone asked how she was doing, she always said she was doing okay. When she would have to go to the hospital, she wouldn’t mention it to anyone. Afterwards she would just say that she had to go in for a procedure. Through our close friendship, I have learned that a “procedure” could be anything from a blood test to having her spleen removed.

Although most people would have given in to their many health problems, not Carol. She kept on serving and helping others.

Amazing positive outlook

Jim Servidio, pastor of the United Church of God Houston North congregation, and his wife, Judy, and I were there with Robert for Carol’s first surgery. When they brought her back to the room, there were no dry eyes. Carol reminded Robert to stay focused. She was encouraging us when it should have been the other way around!

The doctors have all been amazed at Carol’s progress and, mostly, her positive outlook. Her faith in God has never wavered. The hospital psychiatrist found Carol to be one of the most grounded and mentally healthy of her patients.

Carol has been a supreme example and inspiration to everyone. She tells her visitors how blessed she is. Rather than the general question of “How is everyone?” she asks about specific individuals.

Caring for others

My friendship with Carol started several years ago when she included me in a group of women from church to go to activities and places together. Our activities ranged from visiting sick members to shopping for the day in Galveston. Carol was always the chauffeur.

She has such a quiet, unassuming manner, much of her service over the years was only known by the recipient. In addition to doing things with a group, she also cared for individual needs-taking people to their doctor appointments, running errands and taking items to people in need. She enjoys giving gifts, and every year around Feast of Tabernacles time she takes widows to a nice restaurant for lunch. Plus, in addition to buying lunch, she always has a gift bag for each one.

For many years Carol decorated the church hall for special events such as anniversaries, weddings and socials. Several years ago health problems began bothering her and, even though she wasn’t physically able, she pushed herself to do the tasks anyway. Finally it became necessary for her to give up these activities.

I know firsthand how supportive and caring she is. A year ago my 94-year-old mother was admitted to the hospital with the flu. She was too frail to respond to treatment, and over a seven-week timeframe, she was moved to a rehab center and then to hospice care where she died. Carol stayed with me nearly every day at the various hospitals, ran errands and brought in lunch. Having her there to talk with or just to sit with me eased the strain and gave me great comfort.

Determined to dance again!

After healing from two separate staph infections and completing her time at the Dallas LTAC, Carol was so excited to finally be able to be transferred to her next rehab facility in Houston where she lives. Within two days of being at the new rehab, she was zipping around the hospital on her motorized wheelchair, operating it with her elbow! She can also push the elevator button so, she had checked out all the floors. She even went outside to surprise Robert when he came to visit.

Because of Carol’s determination, what was to have been a six-week stay in rehab has been cut in half. Carol was discharged Wednesday, April 29, to return home. She has been fitted with prosthesis and is looking forward to using them.

The first time I visited Carol at the LTAC facility in Dallas she told me she was going to dance again. I’m sorry to say that I was skeptical, but no longer. Watching her pushing herself like she has, I have no doubt that she will dance again. Carol has already learned to partially dress herself and with the help of a Velcro band around her arm, she can feed herself and even write.

Carol has received wonderful care and support from her family as well as many church brethren from both Houston and Dallas.

Carol still has many obstacles to overcome, but she knows that with God’s help, she can do it. Everyone should be so blessed with such an inspiring, faithful friend who has confident trust in God’s promises!

 

Thank you, Carol, for your inspiring example! Thanks Frances for sharing it with us.

Your comments and other stories of heroes of faith are welcome!