SMITHFIELD – Life has been so far off from typical for so long now that Fred Boothman isn’t quite sure what to expect from a return to normalcy.
But one thing is for sure, says the Smithfield resident: if all goes according to plan, life will be so much better, and that’s thanks to a generous donor and the many other people who have been there for him.
A man named Chris, also of Smithfield, plans to donate a portion of his liver to Boothman during a complex transplant surgery on Sept. 21. From what he knows, said Boothman, Chris was one of nine people who went through the process to see if they were a match on a range of criteria. That’s consistent with typical statistics of one in 10 potential donors making it through to the final stage.
Boothman told The Local Insider he’s so thankful for the outpouring of support he’s received following a January story on his chronic condition and need for a liver, and it was that story that led so many people to know about his condition and want to help him.
Boothman has lived for years with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, or PSC, a progressive liver and bile duct disease affecting about 30,000 people in the U.S. and one in 10,000 worldwide.
He said he knows Chris from their days together at a former church, and he’s so grateful to him for his willingness to sacrifice to give him renewed life. He said they and their families have talked about how great it will be to take a picture together on the other side of surgery.
Boothman, his wife Leah, and their children were able to recently get away for their summer vacation, and they’re now making final preparations on their home, with the help from financial gifts, to create a happy and healthy home for the post transplant recovery.
It’s hard to believe the procedure is only three weeks away, says Boothman, and he’s learned more than he’d maybe like to know about the complexity of a transplant surgery.
“There are things you never would have thought of,” he said.
To be able to schedule such a life-changing event is crazy on the one hand, says Boothman, and trying to prepare for it and have everything in order, has been difficult to manage while doing regular tasks.
Boothman said he is so thankful for everyone who has helped them get “some of those big boxes” checked off in advance of this life-changing surgery.
Boothman said he’s been encouraged reading the stories of other liver transplant recipients and the life they were able to lead after surgery, including one who recently ran a marathon three years post transplant.
His primary task in recovery will be “taking the right steps to build up his immunity and strength.”
Though lack of data after 10 years with a new liver makes it hard to know exactly what to expect in the future, Boothman said it’s been encouraging to see so many people living with great health for decades after a transplant.
The post-surgery reality will mean frequent visits to Boston to make sure his body doesn’t reject the liver, and they will have a lot of family and friend support to help out with their children and other needs.
Boothman also thanked everyone who has encouraged him and his family publicly and privately, and those who have prayed for them throughout.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for walking alongside us,” he said. “Your prayers, encouragement, generosity, and love have carried us more than you will ever know.”
Fred and Leah have at many times gotten in the habit of being discouraged through this health journey in waiting for the next shoe to drop, he said, and they’re trying now to live more hopefully while allowing God to work in and through them. Their verse through this season has been 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”
Boothman said he’s leaving the door open on how God will use his life testimony going forward to encourage others, as well as how he might be of help in encouraging others in their health battles. He said he hopes his story encourages others, and he’s waiting to see how God will continue to work through him. As he is reminded of the words of Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
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