INTERNET: loved ones stayed connected during siblings’ surgeries

[okarol]

Oklahoma loved ones stayed connected during siblings’ surgeries

BY SUSAN SIMPSON The Oklahoman
Published: January 10, 2010

When siblings Jana Barr Rucker and Les Barr were wheeled into kidney transplant surgeries Monday, dozens of loved ones awaited word in visitor lounges at Integris Baptist Medical Center.

But hundreds more were updated on the successful procedures in a "virtual” waiting room — a Facebook fan page for family and friends of the two.

Rucker’s husband, Barry, said posting updates and photos helped him fill the time, while drawing comfort and prayers from Facebook fans.

"Talk about relief,” Barry Rucker posted after the surgeries. "We are so thankful for all the outpourings of love that we have experienced this day.”

Surgeons removed Jana Rucker’s left kidney and transplanted it into her older brother Les, who suffered renal failure two years ago related to his type 1 diabetes.

Both siblings are recovering well. Rucker left the hospital Wednesday and her brother was expecting to be discharged by week’s end.

Barr, a lawyer who lives in Norman, says he’s eager to return to work. He’s drawn inspiration from the Facebook messages.

Barr is blind, but family members read the postings to him.

Jana Rucker expressed her own joy in a post-surgery posting.

"Les said nothing has smelled or tasted right in two years — now it does,” she wrote.

"Something we take for granted and yet another problem of the buildup of toxins from kidney failure that is now fixed. Said he can’t wait to get home and cook. Makes me so happy!”

The Ruckers live in Florida, where friends have followed the online updates about the surgeries. Prayers have come from across the nation, even by strangers.

"We heard from people all across the nation every time we posted something, from Idaho to Ohio and Mississippi,” said family friend and chaplain Gary Canan.

Dr. Scott Samara, the surgeon who transplanted the kidney, said social networking sites such as Facebook are a great venue to let people know about the miracle of living donors like Jana Rucker.

"Living donors are a real gift,” he said. "Increasing the word about donors is helping humanity.”

Sam Sims, a social media expert with Jones Public Relations, said Facebook and other online networking sites offer near-instant communication for families like the Barrs.

"The phone tree has gone online,” Sims said.

Read more: http://newsok.com/oklahoma-loved-ones-stayed-connected-during-siblings-surgeries/article/3430971#ixzz0cCuIgEe5