New Years Eve

It is new years eve and not a creature is stirring..... we are staying in out of the cold away from germs and enjoying each others company (I'd rather be watching bowl game re-runs, my skin is itching I am going through my yearly 12 stages of football withdrawl).

Merry Christmas

CT results today

This morn. I will head out to UT Southwestern to get the results from my last CT scan. We shall see what new mysteries the camera will /or/ will not reveal. All I have to save is it the results are less than favorable I will be like a Spider Monkey all over that cancers A**; (I had to work that in after watching Talladega Nights last night).

CT scan(s) showed nothing remarkable (my version of medical speak) they looked all clear, they only noted that they could see scaring from the last surgery. My day still continues though I have more diagnostic test today and to see the skin doctor just to make sure that skin cancer can't pop-up since I am immune suppressed.

The Home going for Bo Johnson

Bo Johnson has his home going service today. A celebration of his life, loves and accomplishments with family, friends, colleagues, fellow advocates, medical professionals, and anyone with a pulse. Bo and his two leading ladies have had and will continue to affect lung cancer survivability for years to come.

"I know, I gotta go, I gotta go, and I got one last thing and I said it before, and I want to say it again. Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever."

March 4, 1993, Jim Valvano ESPY Speech

Out of the closet

It seems that Bryant Gumbel has come out of the closet to reveal that he too is a cancer survivor and is battling LC (lung cancer) none the less. I wish him well in his battle and applaud his courage in making it public knowledge. There are several internal battles one must first deal with when facing such a horrific diagnosis. You have your classic anger, denial, confusion, seclusion, clandestine behaviors, openness, anger coupled with the "never give up" attitude.... Again I wish him well in his fight.

I am disappointed that the American Cancer Society for the irresponsible, insensitive statement they made about lung cancer prevention. They just feed the beast with such careless statements like the one they made in reference to lung cancer. The stigma is the beast, it is the ignorance associates smoking with cancer IT IS IRRELEVANT WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON SMOKED NO ONE DESERVES CANCER, NO ONE DESERVES LUNG CANCER SO STOP ASKING, STOP LOOKING FOR A REASON TO BLAME, START EMPATHIZING WITH YOUR FATHER, MOTHER, BROTHER, SISTER, FRIEND, COUSIN, TEACHER, PREACHER..... IN SHORT CANCER IS AN EVERYMAN EPIDEMIC IF YOU DON'T THINK SO READ MY STORY OR FOLLOW THE LINKS I HAVE HERE... YOUR IGNORANCE WILL BE ERASED


CNN.com "Bryant Gumbel reveals lung cancer surgery" December 8, 2009

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States, but it's also the most preventable, according to the American Cancer Society. Gumbel said he and his doctor are hoping his treatment is complete.

Peaceful Journey (Bo)

Brother Bo has gone on to heaven, he no longer has to struggle with the ills of cancer and the highs and lows of being a transplant recipient. He was with his two favorite ladies to the end; may he rest in peace, and pray that Christi and Addi find peace and comfort in the legacy and Impact Bo (BJ) has had on us all. BOvsBAC

Bad News

I just read Bo's most recent blog post, the was so courageously written by his wife to keep us all informed about his progress. If you get a chance read it and leave a message for CJ, BJ, AJ (Christie, Bo, Addi) cancer is a long and difficult emotional battle with many peaks and valleys. By the way CJ describes BJ's current situation it sounds very, dire even. If you get a chance stop by his blog site and leave the family words of encouragement to cover their household in warmth and fend of the cold cruel circumstances cancers brings. Bo vs Bac
The recent developments with his health really worry me. There aren't many of us; by us I mean Lung cancer patients that received a life extending bi-lateral lung transplant. Understand you have to be considered medically terminal to receive this experimental treatment but you have to be healthy enough to recovery from this procedure too.
Leave the family comments, they warm the soul, but be respectful of those of us who are immune suppressed we know you care but care from a distance as it is the cold and flu season.

Pictures (Snow & Fort Worth Parade of Lights)

Snow in TX, in December, what is that all about

Fort Worth Parade of Lights

day after turkey day

Enjoyed my Turkey Day, I ate in moderation I have to start my training table in order to be ready for the transplant Olympics this summer. I am thankful for those special people around me and to still be alive upright and vertical raising heck and embarrassing the girls with my air horn (at soccer games, dance recitals, spelling bees, basketball games well maybe not the basketball game too much echo, swim class....)

week in review

• I got my swine flu shot on Monday
• The CT scan on Monday was not too bad, no IV contrast sickness thanks to my NAC pills; I will get the results 12/14/09
• No black Friday for me unless you count the darkness the grayish / black I see (or don't see) when my eyes are closed and I am asleep.
• The Parade of Lights in downtown Fort Worth was pretty exciting the girls had a fun time, they got so excited when they saw Santa at the end of the Parade.

CT scans today

Getting ready to head out to Dallas, TX in all this fog. Bad weather is not good for people used to the heat and sun. A couple of Dallas doctor visits ago when driving in bad weather on a bumper to bumper highway parking lot I was tailgated and rear ended. How the HECK do you run into someone when the traffic is moving 5 mph??? Oh well we shall see what today's trip brings. I do however feel nauseous already, I wonder how bad I will feel after going through multiple failed IV attempts and ingesting all those shell fish (i.e. contrast dye) for the CT scan.

At the lg txp doctors in Dallas, the CT was painless today and I tolerated the IV contrast; however I am disappointed to know that a member of the post transplant team is leaving it is hard to train new doctors to what your medical condition is and to understand your unique personality.

PFT's were good I am 60% of a normal health person with two good lungs; I think I would be about 67% or maybe 73% if I had two full lungs.

My testosterone was in increased, I am mixing it with the steroids; it is not having much effect on me, I am still green, very green although I want to argue with everyone I even had an argument with myself on the drive over to Dallas today... I think I won the argument

Lab Work Day

I had my lab work today (normal stuff for the transplant team) with an extra tube drawn (for the endocrinology team). They are checking my Testosterone levels (side effect of too much chemo Rat Poison).

The cocktail of steroids and testosterone is turning me green.

wfaa news story

A story of hope and perseverance, fighting cancer, surviving a bi-lateral lung transplant, and beating back the swine flu. This story was well done by wfaa news 8 in the DFW. The reporter was Shelly Slater and her videographer Alan.

http://www.wfaa.com/home/Miracle-Man-overcomes-cancer-swine-flu-69900182.html

I might one get a SAG card (screen actor guild);....
"What chew talking 'bout Willis"

Spam or What...

I gave of potted meat (i.e. spam) along time ago even when I was a starving college student....(side note to self I am still a starving college student remember my back pockets look like a cute young couple all hugged up together).... Anyway I always get this spam / these comments captured below which is why I filter my comments. I don't understand it translate please.
I think it is an automated computer program that got a hold of my blog address and randomly sends out spam to e-mail addresses and comment accepting websites throughout the Internet.

Tough Love

Looks like I have a couple of cancer patients and transplant patient that will soon get to join the Jerrold Tough Love Boot Camp. It doesn't cost much at all. I only require these participants to have a good ear, or the ability to read lips. It would be nice if they had some back, junk in their trunk, behind, butt, hind pocks......BUT we all know that is the first thing to go when you find out you are terminal, have cancer, or need a life extending organ transplant. Remember my behind divorced me when I was diagnosed, we had a long conversation but my butt in the end said it could not stay in such an unhealthy relationship. I do get a card from my rear every now and then, my dip has apologized for allowing my back pockets to touch even though he says he has no intentions of coming back anytime soon... Sorry I digress the butt tale was just my way of saying I will be chewing on these other guys / gals ears rather than kicking them in the butt during my tough love boot camp. You have people working hard to keep you around so it is okay to mope at night for a little bit but in the morning it is game on you need to be about the business of living. I hope this boot camp is successful simply b/c the this Unhealthy highway is a rough road that could definitely benefit from some of this (Stimulus Money), it is not scenic like the Healthy Highway that intersects it.

I will need my students to stage an intervention one day, to chew on my ear and get my RearLess body moving especially when I don't want to. One day grasshopper the student will become the teacher.

There is no beginning or end.. Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.

Can't get the shot, Can't find the shot H1N1???

I seem to be spinning my wheels, wasting my time trying to find the H1N1 shot, and anyone to give it to me. The H1N1 vacine seems to be as illusive as big foot or the Locheness monster. I have asked many if not all the providers that I see and it seems I am getting the party answer, “if we get it, if we don’t run out, blah blah blah…..”; I am not going to worry about it my H1N1 care will be as it was before when the Type A flu loomed within my household, REACTIVE and 10 times more expensive (time, money, and pain). If I don't get the vacine I will keep staying away from large groups.

UT Southwestern, for instance, requested 157,578 doses. The state shows shipping orders for 12,050 doses. But the hospital has only received 3,500 doses, spokesman John Walls said.

Source: From
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-fludoses_10met.ART0.State.Edition1.4b515e9.html

Nov. 10, 2009

post - DFW Lung cancer walk

Raegan and Ravyn on the trail as I am running behind them multitasking (drinking water, taking pictures, trying to catch my breath, all the while reciting "I think I can.. I think I can").

The second picture is post race, we just did the 3k again this year so they could play in the bounce house and because I was really tired.

The walk was great I really enjoyed it even though I had to bribe the girls to not give me a hard time. I ran a little late for the opening ceremonies which is why I had to again bride the girls so I could make it at all. I had a great presentation to give but, it fell by the waist side once I got up to speak and start the race off. I hope to be better prepared next year if I am asked back. I got in some short burst sprints along the trail as I was pushing my youngest daughter on her bike and chasing the oldest so she would not get out of my line of sight. Katie did a fantastically awesome job along with the other Lungevity staff and volunteers.

DFW Lung Cancer walk Today

I am getting ready to head out to the DFW lung cancer walk today. It is a bit breezy and only about 67 degrees out some I am still on the fence as to whether or not I am going to take the girls bikes so they can ride them. The bike thing will be a game time decision. I am also happy that my wife has finally returned home from her business trip that lasted several weeks. Life as a single SICK parent is TOUGH.

Oh well heading out now and yes my feet hurt (HURT)... I will have to publish older blogs now that I have some time.

Me, Myself, and I

I Do exist

My off Friday

I was off today as we work 9/80 schedules on the job. For the first time in a long time I don't have to go to class, I am off, I am free, I don't have to study, the day is mine...eh not really, but it sounded good.

1. Get the girls ready and off to school
2. Take my truck and get the tires rotated and balanced
3. Pay some bills and run some errands
4. Start some laundry
5. Take my wife's car to get the tires rotated and balanced
6. Go home and make two lunches
7. Eat lunch with Raegan and DOMINATE the class during recess afterwards
8. Hurry over to Ravyn's school and listen to story time and have lunch and talk about Halloween costumes with the pre-schoolers
9. Run some more errands
10. Get some snacks for the after school day care party
11. go to the party (yes I was late)
12. Hurry home to meet the cable guy, getting some more football channels "duh duh du duh"
13. Go back to the school and pick up the cookie order (they couldn't find it)
14. Go home wash more clothes
15. Go back to the school and finally get the cookies
16. Pick up the girls
17. Bake pizzas with the girls
18. Eat, watch noggin and take it easy it is Friday
19. Get ready for the soccer game on Saturday

Need a nap

Soccer

The girls did well this past fall in the Respective soccer leagues. They played on different teams but they had the same coach which was great so the practice times and game times never changed.

Raegan was the leading scorer on her team, she is and aggressive hard charging attacking striker.

Ravyn did well too, she is just getting her feet under her, she scored a few goals but we will have to work on her killer instinct.

Oh yea I tooted my air horn on every goal the girls or their teammates made. Note: I was the only parent out there in the YMCA youth soccer league with an air horn, bang sticks, pom poms, and megaphones..... Can you tell I am their biggest fan, and a constant source of embarrassment already.

single dad again

My wife is once again out of town for work. I hope I can stay healthy over the next couple of weeks. The last time she was off on travel I had to visit the Emergency Spa, and it was not a good visit. (Father's Day 2009)

There hair is already done for the next couple of weeks, $30 bucks each to get their hair done at the beauty shop, Time and stress saved not having to do their hair with my fat fingers Priceless.

Piggy Flu

Day 3 of the Piggy Flu (Type A flu); I got it and the girls have it. We are a sad looking bunch eating Popsicles, Pedolite, crackers, and toast. This flu is painful I am glad we are starting to get better, that tamiflu works wonders.

CT is over

The CT scan was uneventful today, the IV stick only took one try they got in in my forearm. I am now sick of the contrast dye. I get sick now as that crud is being pumped into me. I do however take NAC pills for 3 days to offset the effects on my internal organs. The price you pay in order to not be blind sided by lung cancer / or any cancer AGAIN.

CT tomorrow

CT tomorrow I think I am anxious, not nervous but anxious. I think more about the contrast dye and how many times is the nurse / CT tech going to try to painfully shove the IV large gage needle in my arm before I say "Hell No" throwing the towel in...bleeding all over the floor as I walkout spewing four letter words while they page the emergency nurse on call to put my IV in.

Lung Cancer Research May Lead To Early Detection

http://cbs11tv.com/health/lung.cancer.research.2.1143814.html

Recently I was interviewed by CBS 11 to talk about LC (lung cancer) and my particular case. This interview also mentions that there is some great research being done in the area of non / never smokers that are diagnosed with lung cancer. I really hope this will help people to understand that cancer and YES even lung cancer is an every PERSON disease and no one is excluded from one day possibly having to deal with a similar diagnosis. I never smoked but that is irrelevant; a persons lifestyle does not warrant whether or not they should or should not have lung cancer. The smoking stigma associated with cancer makes it a crime in the court of public opinion for pharmaceutical companies, government, and Joe the average citizen to contribute to lung cancer research.

Short Spa Trip today

Had to stop in at the spa today, I was a little nervous as I feared they might won't to keep me; (I was only there to visit my cancer homie / SOON to be transplant homie; and to get a nasal wash). I was in and out so I can enjoy football at home.

Bo & Adrienne bad news

Got a bit of bad news today, not about me about some of my cancer / transplant homies.

• Bo has developed clots and is being watched more closely by the Dukies (Duke medical staff)
• Adrienne will have a procedure to check her lymph nodes (making sure the BAC has not spread, this is a very uncomfortable but common FEAR all BAC patients had to undergo before transplant).
• I am felling ill so Adrienne and I might be neighbors at the SPA (look out nurses...)

Prayer List
Bo and Family
Adrienne and Family

missed blood work monday

I missed my blood work yesterday at the lab, my orders were not there. I am going to have to apply some of my engineering education to use at the Heart / Lung Clinic and devise a more efficient system that incorporates checks and balances ensuring that lab orders are sent when they are supposed to be sent to the lab.... with a way for the patient to verify receipt of the orders before he/she has to alter their medicine regiment the night before labs (this is done based on the test the doctors order).

Vacation overload

bowling, swimming, skating too much fun

First time skating in 26 years (I didn't go down)

The winner is ????

Ravyn sick (I hope I don't catch what she has picked up)

I have nasal drainage (I have a little clear nasal drainage, could be the climate here in NC it is alot greener than TX and much more humid)

HOT 4th of July

Today was big fun we just hung out at NRH2O (water park). It was hotter than an over heated engine in death valley. I burned my feet (the bottoms) walking from one ride to the next, they need to plant grass over the sidewalk. That sidewalk will break you down, I think the expression "makes me weak in the knees," comes to mind. I did get a good nap at the park under a tree in my half dome tent, I just went to sleep like a little baby while everyone played and splashed around me.

ER visit from hell (Father's Day)

Yesterday I felt really bad and tried to tough it out as long as I could but in the end I had to get a ride to the ER. My wife is still out of town that is why it took me so long to go into the ER, I had to find someone to watch the girls for me. I got my sister-in-law to watch the girls and drop (STRESS the word drop off) at the ER at about 10 PM CST. I could not hold any fluids down, eat anything, or even take my meds; on top of all that I was vomiting all day. The visit to the ER close to my house (Southwest Side of Fort Worth, TX) was horrible:

• They don't take the precautions that should be taken when handling a transplant patient
• Most of the medical professionals I was treated by had never dealt with a lung transplant patient.
• They refused to contact the transplant doctor on call at the hospital where all my post transplant care is given.
• These doctors (loosely used) basically gave me some IV fluids, some anti-nausea meds, then sent me home (discharged at 214 AM CST) Knowing I had no one at home to watch me, not knowing if I could take my meds, and also with the knowledge that I did not have a ride home. When I told them I had no was home at 214 AM they said I could just sit and wait in the waiting room.

After this experience I hope I NEVER HAVE THE MISFORTUNE of Being TREATED at Harris Methodist Southwest's ER staff ever again.

Graduation

Kindergarten was "Easy Breezy"

Little sister was not interested in pictures she wanted to go to her school and have snacks

I am just happy that I am still around to enjoy priceless moments like this; Raegan is also helping me edit my blogs as I am not smarter than a rising First Grader.

birthday

Today I celebrate,

Today Raegan has a birthday so I celebrate, I also celebrate the home going of my father who passed away on this day last year. Reflecting on the events of a year ago, I was at a lung cancer advocacy seminar in Chicago this time last year when I got the call about my father. I knew one day the call about his passing would come, I wondered who would make the call... the call came from my mother. She told me he passed peacefully and at home. Upon hearing this news I was not as prepared as I thought I was despite all the life and death I had since over the past three years. After the initial shock I was relieved that he was at peace, he didn't have to suffer anymore, and he could now be with his heavenly father.

On this day I also strolled into the ICU where Bo was being treated before he got his double / double (second transplant). Keep fighting BJ and Family.

class field / day

Field Day (run Raegan run), I was late for class due to field day (field day was scheduled a long time in advance before I knew I'd be pursing another graduate degree)

Cellcept is generic Now

Cellcept is now a generic medicine, good news for my wallet..... now for the rest of the meds we take daily and when we are sick, experiencing rejection, or just a little out of the norm.

Rained out (no softball this year)

The transplant Awareness softball game with the Southwest Transplant Alliance (Transplant recipients) taking on local media was ..... can you believe it rained out (Yes it rains in Texas). Better luck next year although I have spent the last few weeks getting ready for the game.

• Running the stairs over at TCU's football stadium
• Throwing in the racquetball court for half an hour every 3 days
• Taking batting practice twice a week
• working on my forearms, and total body lifting too.
• Lastly I started back swimming once a week

I guess I will have to go back to the old me, and try and get back in the good graces with my couch, I think I will get her a nice snuggle blanket...

I saw the doc

Today was a good doctors visit, I hope my insurance will pay for the procedure (Gynecomastia) it is a result of past medical procedures so we shall see, it also messes with my ego and is painful...

2nd Try to see the new Doc. in Dallas

This is my second try to see the new docs in Dallas at the UT Southwestern SPA. The doc is a plastic surgeon to help with my Gynecomastia that I have developed since my transplant. The Gynecomastia is due I think because of some of my medication(s) and the clam shell incision that is used for a bi-lateral lung transplant. Gynecomastia effects your big ego, but it does allow you to get the Victoria Secret catalogue without raising an eyebrow (looking for a Bro).

Swim lesson #2 (kind of)

The girls are starting there second swim class of the year soon, so there is no rest for the weary... I can't complain though I am enjoying the extension that lung transplant has afforded me. I hope all my post are vanilla and boring for awhile with no medical surprises to speak/blog about.

Last Soccer Game

Today it was very cold and windy I am wondering if we will get some rain today, it has been gloomy all day so far. The ray of Sun today is Ravyn’s soccer game…her last soccer game of the season. The season was interrupted by the Swine Flu (H1N1), Fort Worth and some of Dallas was basically shut down because of fears about this new flu. Ravyn played really well, she and her teammates had a lot of energy today (could be due to the pregame doughnuts) sprinkled doughnuts at that.

Gynecomastia

Going to break in a new doctors, and re-organize his/her office. I am going to see a plastic surgeon to deal with my milkshakes, male boobies (from transplant ONLY). It is kind of tough lugging these fun bags around plus they are sore (all due AGAIN to the transplant for a double lung you are cut in a clam shell procedure). With Gynecomastia we get to VS (Victoria Secrets) catalogues at the house his and hers.

Day before returning to work

The Day before I physically go back I have been working from home up to this time. Working at home has allowed me to heal in a relatively clean environment away from the germs and swine flu carried by the general public. It will be good to have a change of pace, some new/old scenery, and someone to talk and bug during the day.

The Swine Flu

The Swine / Piggy (H1N1) Flu still lingers in the DFW.... Crowley School System has not reacted to this Flu yet..... I am real nervous about this Flu.

Recovering from the TCU stairs while getting ready for the media / transplant recipient softball game.

Today is the last, final.... soccer game of the Spring 2009 season.

Post Birthday Workout

Well I am older than I ever thought I would be now, so to stave off that mid-life crisis I will go and workout at TCU and conquer the stadium stairs and do some angled push-ups in between stair sets. It's hard fighting father time, and also trying to get back in shape post surgery and cancer AGAIN.

A birth year older

Happy to see another year pass.

Doctor Visit

Went and hung out all FREAKING day at the heart / lung clinic but I had a packed lunch, a snack, another snack, my IPOD, puzzle book(s), laptop and Internet access.... I only got bored the last 2 hours while sitting in the waiting room (so I took a nap, that right I was sprawled out on the chairs Al Bundy style snoring and scratching).



The visit was uneventful. My meds are still the same, the decreased prednisone 5mg in the morn. and Double Strength Bactrum on Monday and Thursday now. I finished my annual Lung Transplant evaluation my PFT's are up from my March Spa visit (which is good) I didn't do the 6 minute walk as that was done in March right after I got out of the Spa and it was still more than double what I had done the previous year (I think the headband, the full body suit and the healies helped).

NY Times Article

I recently was fortunate enough to lend my voice and story to an electronic article that was produced by the New York Times staff Karen Barrow and others. I hope this article will increase awareness and de-stigmatize this health care crisis (Lung Cancer).

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/22/voices-of-lung-cancer/


http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/04/23/health/healthguide/TE_LUNGCANCER.html

Tired Tuesday

Saturday: Ravyn did not do so well this past Saturday on the soccer field, I am going to call her the Rock because if the coach puts her in position she is not going to move, at least she isn't chasing butterfly's.

On Saturday eve I tired running at the TCU track, it was an ugly sight I did win EVERY race though. (R³ kept challenging me to race after race until they got hungry. I tried to run a Jingle Jangle (sprints that we used to run during football across the field over-n-back over-n-back for time) I got in one ugly jingle. We finished up at the Purple Cow to celebrate the fact that I made it off the track on my own and not in an ambulance.

Easter / Soccer Photos

Easter 2009 Raegan and Ravyn (before I / Rhonda found matching shoes for Ravyn so she could look like Ravyn)

Soccer with Ravyn "the Rock"

return to work

I am returning to work today. I will be telecommuting; there are some people at work that might be a little under the weather. It will be good to start to work my way back into a normal routine I am experiencing at TV burnout (ESPN, CNN, HG, MSNBC....)

Shopping

What the heck, I can't just sit back and recover. I am shoe shopping for a pair of Easter shoes for Ravyn. Could I not have been told about the need for Easter shoes earlier so I didn't have to work so hard swimming up stream against the mall traffic, I can't move the crowd like I used to I am not such an imposing figure like I once was BEFORE... BTW I had no luck finding the shoes one mall down and 12 stores under my belt.

As I am a respiratory patient I can't garden or manicure my yard anymore, my wife is now taking an interest in the yard (landscaping) and planting flowers. She is taking over my domain and I can't find an appropriate N95 mask to keep my lungs free of the fungus and bacteria that lye within the dirt.

Zoo Day

I am a month and 24 to 40 hours out from my surgery and the pain is becoming more bearable. I will stand firm on my soapbox that a wedge resection is alot more painful than a bi-lateral lung transplant with a clam shell incision. As my energy increases and pain decreases I need to do what I can to stress my lungs and my entire respiratory system.....so the girls R2 and I went to the zoo. I got alot of walking in, I wish I had our Radio Flyer (wagon) so the girls could pull me, that zoo kicked my but. I am SO glad we got there after school with only an hour and fifteen minutes left before the zoo closed.

Oncologist visit on Monday

I will go see the oncologist tomorrow to see what the surgery result(s) are and if the pathology on the tissue taken is back yet. We shall see what happens, at this point nothing will surprise me (medically speaking).

Dam April fool's

Still sore, still trying to recover but my wife once again played her yearly April Fool's joke. Since she gets up butt early in the morn to commute to Dallas she called me on my cell phone to say she had a blow-out while she knew I was still sleep. I start telling her to call triple A (AAA) then she blurts out April Fool's....... I throw my phone and go to bed....... pay back is comin'.

Back to the doctors

Saw my endocrinologist today, it was a pretty good visit. I got a new one touch machine to track my sugars (steroid diabetic) since I need to monitor my vitals more closely since I am going to be more prone to rejection now (kind of like the first year out from transplant).

Rest and More Rest

Resting or trying to rest. My ribs still hurt from the surgery and I need to start trying to do some sort of work out to help break-up all the new scar tissue I have accumulated from this wedge resection (that hurt like hell). Guess I will sleep in the recliner and watch some basketball (if I wagered I would wager on UNC).

Free at last (once again)

Free from the hospital once again, they kept me over night after my bronch because of the elephant drugs they use to knock you out during the bronch. I had to check myself out seems when the orders were written for me to be admitted on Friday they forgot to include my transplant meds. Luckily I had enough meds in my truck for Friday but not for Saturday so after missing two doses this morn. I decided it was time to go.

The bronch hurt my joints or the medical staff from the 3 floor must have come in the room during my bronch and pounded on me. My joints haven't hurt this bad in well over a decade trying to get up and function on Sunday after a Saturday football game. I had to ask for some pain meds and several heating pads. Next bronch I think I will wear rib pads and hip pads.

Good news I didn't miss soccer game number 2 soccer game was canceled due to the cold weather in TX.

Looks like I will be burning up the highways between Dallas and Fort Worth next week.

Back to the Spa on Friday

Well I guess I have to go back into the Spa on Friday for a bronchoscopy. The transplant doctors want to make sure that I don't have some sort of infection going on. I hope I don't get stuck on the third floor again.

A star is born

First Soccer Game.... Ravyn had her first soccer game she didn't score any goals but she showed signs of improvement in her confidence and independence; she had fun too. Her team won by the way, they don't officially keep score but I DO.

Double Date

I hope I will have a double date with the girls R² this eve.

Since this most recent surgery and the cancer recurrence my meds have changed slightly. I take Prednisone (steroid) 5mg once per day and Bactrim double strength on Monday and Thursday now.

With the med change I am now walking a tight rope because my doctors and I are in a delicate balancing act. By lowering my Prednisone I will be boosting my immune system yeah fewer viruses GOOD and fighting the cancer (Jack's army, Jack's brothers, Jackass part two....).

With a stronger immune system (NOT GOOD) I increase my chances of rejection, I white blood cells want to aggressively attack foreign objects in the body (i.e. transplanted lungs in my case).

NO ONE SAID IT WOULD BE EASY.

Uh it's Thursday

Busy Busy Busy day.....

I had to drop yet another class as I was attempting to get my 4^th Masters.... through this whole round of medical stuff SMU Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering has been very understanding and accommodating throughout all of this. I did have a hard time doing the right thing in this situation (dropping the class) makes me feel like I am quiting.

If dropping the class was not enough I really really feel bad that I let Ravyn down today. As I was getting the girls ready for school this morning I told her that I would come and watch her at dance class today. When I picked her up she reminded me several times that I didn't come to dance class today. I had a scheduling conflict due to the war on lung cancer, I was being interviewed by the New York Times which will help break the stigma and raise awareness about lung cancer, but I sure do feel bad about missing dance class (very rarely do I get a chance to go to Ravyn's dance class). I have already promised to attend next weeks class but I already see a conflict there too, I have all day doctors visits in Dallas.

Soccer practice was good Ravyn is becoming more independent and comfortable being in a new environment.

Smack Down

Not much to do today, I have to go to the hospital and lay the smack down CALMLY explaining to the hospital bean counters that they have made a gross billing error and it shouldn't happen again. Once I have straitened out the hospital billing problem I think I will take a nap or two; by my old calculation for everyday you spend in the Spa it takes you at least a day and a half to recover once you have been paroled.

Free

They let me go last night (2106 CST)...Free at last

Breaking out of the spa today

I wouldn't feel right if I didn't bend the rules every once in awhile. No more chest tubes, no IV's right now, so I just went for a walk (without borders). I kept walking and walking and walking....