Done Vida

A beautiful painting of the Gift of Life symbol that Kara made for me for Christmas.

              March is National Donate Life Month.

                                               Read up on it.           Think about it.

Gift of Life Donor Program                                            United Network for Organ Sharing

                                                    Facts About Organ Donation

                                                             Blurring the Lines...

This is a repost of an interview of  the March 19, 2012 episode of NPR's Fresh Air program with Terry Gross.

It is incredibly thought provoking and extremely informative. 
To give equal opportunity to all sides be sure to listen to the whole episode.

And check out this Pinnacle video on the right side of the page here: 
http://www.pinnaclehealth.org/transplant.aspx

Countless thanks to any persons who have donated or intend to donate life saving organs.

Seven

SEVEN months ago today, at this moment, I was in surgery with machines doing my breathing for me, machines pumping and cleaning my blood, machines monitoring my heart, my lungs and my brain activity.

Machines making sure I was alive and some damn fine doctors doing their best to keep me that way.

Now seven months later, by their genius hands and by the grace of God, I remain that way.

Although no one knows exactly which day has their name on it, I've been advised by the same doctors that I most likely wouldn't be here this day without that day seven months ago.

And so......I remain v e r y  thankful. 

'Seventy times seven times' thankful.

The incisional hernia fix was a month ago tomorrow and although things are still not feeling all copacetic in that region, Dr. Yang assures me it's "all fixed."  Time will tell. 

It's been a crazy, rocky road but as of  late things have settled down into a post transplant groove that will serve as my "normal" for the future. The sudden changes, unexpected events, and all the daring drama seem to have faded for now or perhaps it's just the excitability of the patient that has calmed.

Either way, this blog is obviously starting to wind down as it has successfully served the purpose for which I intended it. I've been asked to speak on a transplant panel in June and I hope to see if this blog could continue to help anyone else and so I will keep it going for the time being and post when I have something new to report.

Thank you for continuing to check in here.