God Has a Plan

Don Wiehe - Over the past several years I have personally watched Rev. Randy Trotter and his family walk through some very difficult and serious health challenges. A few weeks ago I posed several questions to Randy to assist in recording a few details of this ordeal which culminated with a double heart / kidney transplant. I hope his story encourages you and those you are ministering to who may be experiencing a lengthy health challenge.

Randy, when did your heart complications begin?

Complications became evident about 6 - 8 yrs ago which led to two stents and two transplants. My cardiologist decided I needed a defibrillator stating I was born with a congenital heart defect. Only one side of my heart has ever worked and the working side couldn't compensate anymore.

Tell about your defibrillator firing multiple times

On Jan 28, 2017 while staying alone at a hotel in Austin my defibrillator starting firing non stop. I stumbled to the lobby and collapsed as my defibrillator continuously fired. In the ambulance, with fear mounting, I heard, "Well! After a life of ministry this is how it's going to end. You're going to die alone! Where's God now?" Stunned, with my device still firing and fear gripping me, I heard a "Loving, Soft and Strong" voice speak, "I've not left you. You're not alone. I'm here with you and I have a plan!". With fear still gripping me there came a peace in the midst of it all!

At the ER my heart was beating over 260 times a minute. The ER doctor shouted, "We need to get his heart slowed before he strokes out! Have you stabbed him yet?" A young nurse shouted, "He keeps firing!" and then started crying! I've worked with nurses as a Hospice Chaplain for over 15 yrs! I know nurses! With injection in hand, sobbing out and device firing I thought, "An ER nurse is crying over me! They've seen everything! THIS CAN'T BE GOOD!"

After a couple of days a psychologist diagnosed me with PTSD because of the multiple defibrillator firings. Afterwards, I'd wake up shaking uncontrollably

grabbing the bed rails crying out in fear. My wife and nurses reassured me I was alright. The only thing to calm me down was God, prayer and my wife holding me tightly. When the psychologist diagnosed me me with PTSD I denied it, stating I wasn't sure I believed in PTSD! She described what soldiers go through which perfectly described my feelings and emotions! For almost a year I couldn't touch a light switch, replace a light bulb or touch an extension cord or anything electrical! Yes, I had PTSD!

How long was your recovery times?

During the four years, with consecutive stays back to back, I spent 2 1/2 - 3 yrs in the hospital. I was hospitalized for numerous and serious conditions. I was life flighted three times and taken by ambulance numerous times. I spent three weeks in Austin for three surgeries with about three weeks recovery time. In Galveston I was hospitalized for a month before my transplants with a recovery time of about six weeks both in the hospital and rehabilitation with about 3 months in L-TAC facilities for more rehab including another emergency surgery! Finally, I was not allowed a "doctor's work release for almost another 6 months.

When was it decided that you needed transplants?

Some weeks after Austin when at my regular doctor my blood pressure dropped extremely low sending me to a hospital in Baytown. It was there that I first heard the word “transplant", although it didn't happen there. Some time later I was taken by Ambulance to UTMB in Galveston for another reason. It was the next morning I was told that I definitely needed a heart / kidney transplant.

What was the toughest thing about waiting for your donor organs?

While hospitalized waiting became very difficult for both of us. Darla stayed in the room with me sleeping on the couch. Bills still needed to be paid, but, with no income it was very difficult on both of us. Waiting seemed endless as we saw other patients receiving their transplants. I had difficult medical tests and procedures almost every day. It was unnerving and I had feelings of a guilt to hear of local tragedies thinking I might get a heart and kidney, but none came. After 4 months of waiting a Left Heart Assist Device (L-VAD) was implanted and after surgery I was in a coma seven days during which time Darla never left my side. Many times during hospital stays Darla was alone and was told at least six times that I would not make it through the night. But her trust was in God and God did what He does!

What was the most challenging things for your family?

Fear was a constant for our families. The waiting for THE phone call was hard on everyone. Constant worry that I may die or when would I receive my transplants and concern for Darla’s and my state of mind during it all. My parents aren't in good health. They came a couple of times but just couldn’t often make the trips. My sisters and brothers-in-law, Rev. Homer and Rhonda Moore and Herb & Jill Valencia drove often from San Antonio to see us. My mother-in-law would visit staying the night with Darla. My boys Cary and Colby were worried and scared that I would die. The unknown and waiting for the next day took a toll on us deeply, but we knew it was all in God's hands and in His timing! The highlights during the stays were friends visiting and my caring and loving doctors and nurses who became family.

What's the best way to support and minister to those who go through critical health issues?

Flowers and plants are nice but hard to take care of and then they die. Visits are wonderful and comforting, but sometimes the patient is easily tired (I'd fall asleep during some visits). Sometimes it seemed I was having to entertain some visitors and that became difficult. Cards, letters and phone calls are always welcome and without sounding needy, loving financial help is always helpful even for gas and snacks, and especially if the patient has no or little income because of the longevity of the stay, illness and home recovery time! The STXAG District was amazing and extremely helpful to us during my hospitalizations as well as our Pastors Joel & Larita Nabors and our church family. God is and has always been our source!

As difficult as this journey has been I thank God for it as I have learned so much about His faithfulness and His strengthening. I also learned more about myself than I ever wanted to know! My trust was completely in God that He would accomplish in us things that we could never do on our own. In Jeremiah 29:11 God says, "I have a plan for you…" and He definitely has a plan for my life! I faced, and still face, a journey not knowing what all it entails! Through this journey there have been many ups and downs emotionally and spiritually. I keep reminding myself what God spoke to me in that Ambulance! "I've not left you. You're not alone. I'm here with you and I have a plan!” The Lord truly does hold my tomorrows and He holds my hand!