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.