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.