WAITING FOR THE WORLD TO CHANGE

If  I am not mistaken those are a words in a song...but how many times have you heard people complain about what is wrong in the world.  How it was and how it should be....It made me stop when I thought about those words on my walk back from the Pharmacy...and as I walked and pondered those words I realize the reason we keep waiting for the world to changes is because we ourselves are afraid of change...the fear of the unknown holds a lot of us back.  So if we are afraid of change so maybe the rest of the folks in the world are afraid of change as well.  It would make sense don't you think?


I will continue with words  from songs for another thought.  Michael Jackson sang about starting with the man in the mirror and asking him to change his ways.  Again if we take a moment and think about those words....we are so willing to complain about how things are going in our lives, our neighborhoods, our community, our state, our country and finally the world.  But what we don't do and by we I mean a majority of us is take the first steps to do something about it.  We are afraid...change is stressful, uncomfortable and again down right scary.  Is the solution to bury our heads in the sand and say LET  SOMEONE ELSE DO IT.  And, when someone else does step forward and does it and changes happens....but it is not the change we want...what do we do...we complain.


I have been through a lot of "STUFF" the last 12 years of my life....there were a lot of changes some that I could control and some that I could not.  Was I afraid?...HELL YES....even when I was in control of the change....But even more so when I was not....Am I blessed? Some would say yes and others would say no I was just lucky...I am here today, why because I had no choice my heart was giving up on me and I had no choice.  So I got a heart...and it was a good change.  


I made some other changes in my life,  that some people found rather ODD!!!  I made personal choices in my life and for once did not care about the consequences...was I always up front with people about my changes...No, and for that I am sorry.  


So as I was walking it occurred to me....we all need to look in the mirror and see that person who could make the world change.....If you keep on waiting for the world to change and let life go by because you are afraid....you can't complain. 


Everyone talks about wanting PEACE in the World...is this not the standard answerer for all those BEAUTY CONTESTANTS....."I would like to see the PEACE in the World." Well that is a nice statement but you need to put some actions behind those words.....so tonight ask yourself am I doing all I can to make things better not only in my life, my neighborhood, my community, my state, my country and my world.  Your answer may just surprise you!!!!!


PEACE

MAKING TIME FOR ME

What an odd title for a post...I would agree with you except I think that it is not only true for me but for a lot of you as well.  So let us take a look at it :)


OK so we may not have hotels in space or flying cars and robot maids, but we do live in an age of technology.  I will be the first to admit that I for one was very sceptical of the whole notion of computers when the first came out.  I remember typing my college papers on a good old fashion type writer...it was electric.....some of you may remember doing that with one that was not electric....and some of you are saying, "What the hell is a type writer??"  But when I first got sick in 1998 the computer became my friend it was with the computer that I not only found but became involved with ACHA and made amazing friendships...it is sad to say that some of those friends are no longer with us.  So the computer became my life and my I would be on it all the time....this was before lap tops and I-pad and notebooks and cell phones that you can do that we have now.  


And, I guess that is my point...finding time for me or in your case finding time for you.  We are so connected with the world today that it is sometimes mind blowing....and if your not a Blogger or on Facebook or Google Talk or Twitter....you really don't understand how much time you vest with these social media gadgets.  Now don't get me wrong I am not saying they are bad...but they can be addicting.  I am guilty of it myself..I blog, I am on Facebook, Twitter and Skype.  It is fun it allows us to interact with folks we would not be able to interact with otherwise and sometimes we even get to meet these people in the flesh at a meet up where there is conversations but also at the same time everyone is on their hand held device of choice following and telling the rest of the world what is going on.


We have jobs/school and these things are important for us to maintain the lifestyle we have become fond of having there are some draw backs.  Demands are made that at times get in the way of taking time for ourselves.  It is at time a real pain in the ASS but we need to have a place to live and food so we take the trade off.


We all also have families/friends and taking care of their needs sometimes means not taking care of ours.  Is it not IRONIC that people get married have kids and then never get to spend with their children.  We get busy.  We over enrolled them in to many activities (because as we know you need to raise well rounded children).  Then we Bitch and Moan when we have to drive them here or there...we need to work overtime or even a second job so that we can afford these activities...this does not leave a lot of time to be with our families let alone carve out a space of time for ourselves.  And let me say for the record that if your spouse is a stay at home spouse and you think they have me time...guess again....there is shopping and taking kids here and there...laundry, cleaning and cooking....maintaining everyone schedule so people are where they need to be when they need to be there.


So, what is the solution.....I don't know....do we go back to the days where we shut down everything for Shabbat (if you are Jewish) do we go back to the BLUE Sunday Laws in the States....Do we change the usual 40 hour 5 day work week down to a 40 hour 4 day week?
I don't have the answers....but I will make a few suggestions.  Turn everything off for a 24 hour period once a week...don't have your children in every activity (when they really want to spend time with you).  Try a family dinner and game or movie night or better yet just sit at the dinner table and talk once or twice a week.  Get everyone involved in making dinner and cleaning up afterwards.  Do a weekly family clean up....a dirty house is a sign of a family having fun...not a busy family...every once in a while have a family hooky day from work and school and go do something fun.


Now I know that is easier said then done>>>>but think about it could it work...will you find time for yourself...maybe and maybe not but what do you got to lose by trying it  You may actually find time for yourself...what was that called again oh yeah ME TIME

YOU CAN DO IT ONE OF TWO WAYS...IT'S YOUR DECISION!!!

Those words flowed like water off of Dr. Tuvia's lips when I met with him today for a transplant follow up appointment. Yes today I was able to get an ECHO, Bloodwork and see the man himself all in one visit. It is so good to have the insurance issue that plagued me in September behind me.

First let me state that the visit was Excellent and the ECHO looked great. So what did we have to discuss and why did those words flow like the Jordan River...well you see I still have trouble keeping my sugar under control...a lot of it has to do with me...(I tend to eat when I am bored and I have been bored waiting for our stuff to get here>>>that is a long story and a different post!! So when I met with the Diabetic Doctor last week she was not happy that there was some level of Protein in my urine....so she wanted to put me on a blood pressure medicine to help with that...I took the prescription and got it filled but did not take it...Yes I Wanted to talk it over with Dr. T. he is fine with me taking it but wants me to start out at 5mg a day in 2(2.5mg) doses for a few weeks and then for up to 10 mg 2(5mg doses a day) the Diabetic Doc wanted to start out at 10 once a day...but since it leaves your system after 8 hours Dr. T. wants to do it that way and also it will give us time to see how it effects my blood pressure(which for the record is perfect)

So when those sweet words come at me...it was when we began to discuss Glucaphage ... again Diabetic Doctor thinks it may help me get better control and as she delicately put it will help me lose weight...(for the record on this point I weigh 203 lbs weighed about 195 after the transplant and have maintain this +/- a few lbs. I really don't want to take this medicine..I know that if I watch I can get it under control and I had a really good start till the weekend was over and I was here by myself...I saw what making the right choices can do to maintain a healthy glucose level...And, I do admit to cheating...so Dr. T. looks at me and says, "you can do it one of two ways, it is your decision I don't care if you take it." Now hold on here is the COOL PART....he goes on and says, "But if I were you I keep my mouth shut and only put in there what needs to go in there...in other words if you want to cheat take the medication...if you don't want to cheat then keep your mouth shut."

If you think about those words they can have several meanings for everyone. I can see a couple in there for myself:

1. I am in control of my sugar and yes if taking a pill is how I want to do it I can do that and it would be easy...But I am not one for doing things the easy way.

2. I can also see it working for mental health...only in reverse...if you like to have stress and struggles and anger and resentment in your life keep your mouth shut...but if you want to be stress, anger and resentment free then open your mouth and say something. CAUTION: you have to watch how you say things so that you are not coming across as a TYRANT or MAD MEN and remember by relieving your stress may not be conducive to eliminating the stress, anger and resentment of the person with whom you are conversing...

SO....YOU CAN DO IT ONE OF TWO WAYS......IT'S YOUR DECISION!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!!

Yes you read that right....(I am not having a Prograf Moment) tonight at sundown marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year or Rosh Hashana. We eat apples and honey so that the New Year maybe sweet and healthy.....I understand that. We all need to have our health, because without it Life is Hard. Granted some have it worse of then others, but when it is happening to you, you tend to forget that. Even though I was ill for 10 years with my Heart I would always stop and think of those who had a different type of suffering. An example is watching my dear friends' son, who was only 18 dying of cancer....or hearing of a baby being beaten or shaken to the point of major trauma or even death.

Today I met with my new Endoc(diabetic doc) she wants to make some changes and I will seriously take them under advisement and discuss them with the transplant Doc when I meet with him next week.

I am feeling good and would like to get the sugar levels under better control. I am eating healthier (ok except for the occasional cookie or 2 or 3) I am walking at least a minimum of 3 miles a day (ok more if I get lost and all turned around as to where the hell I am) but the point is I feel good. I will put some of the changes she suggested in to place right now but will wait to add medications till I see the Doc.

My wish for the New Year is that EVERYONE enjoy good health....I also wish everyone a SWEET New Year but as a Diabetic I need to remember to STAY AWAY FROM THE BAD SWEETS!!!

SHANA TOVA

TO MY HEART FRIENDS

Hello all I am not going to mention you all by name but I just wanted to post that I think of you all everyday. Some of you are facing hard times right now...some needing surgery....some needing transplants and some being evaluated for transplant...I have been where you all are at this time and I want you to know that if I can do it you can do it. I love you all very much and if you need anything do not hesitate to call me if you don't have my number email me at apug32609@gmail.com and I will send it to you.

Now have a great day

LET MY THING GO

We have been in Israel for 5 weeks....I have had many clinic visits and met wonderful Doctors...problem is all my appointments were early in the morning and I was missing an awful lot of my Ulpan class (not good when you miss like 6 out of 12 days) so I have suspended my class for now and will resume it in November after all the Religious Holidays....what I am hoping will happen next week is that we will finally get our stuff from the US delivered to us next Monday. In order for this to happen I need to pay the shipper in the states and pay the delivery people here.....the second part I can take care of this afternoon and hopefully I can take care of the first part this evening as the shipper is in Seattle....if all this works out to night I will email my Contact person here....I really don't like talking to her because she talks fast...but I will deal with it....I JUST WANT MY STUFF!!!!!

Did you miss it...I mean lil old me?

So greeting to all my followers who have asked me to start posting again.....I am back....I have officially been living in Israel for ONE MONTH!!!! So I guess the main question everyone has is what has it been like?

It has been really good....we managed to get a lot of things done in a short period of time. That said it is Israel and things don't move super fast. We signed up for Insurance when we landed and it took 3 weeks to actually attach ourselves to the local clinic where I will have a family doctor....I was able to see the transplant doctor to day but was not able to get blood work as I forgot and took my medicine. They also wanted to do an ECHO but the person who scheduled my appointment for today did not schedule that...so I will need to go back...the clinic is about 1hr hour away by bus....not a bad bus ride as does not stop every 5 seconds.....I get dropped off at the train/bus terminal and then I catch a taxi or bus right to the clinic door. Today the Doctor told me that he has a Friend who runs a transplant clinic in Jerusalem...which is where I live so while he would hate to see me go...he feels that if I get overwhelmed by the trip to his clinic that I can change and he would make the introductions...I told him for now I am happy and that since I only have to go every 3 months after this next trip that I think it would be ok and that I would let him know.

So what do I do for fun....right now I am taking an intensive Hebrew course 5 days a week for 4 hours each day...I like it and I am learning but I find the conversational part easier then the writing part...I struggle with that and it only Started on Sept 4 and goes for 5 months...so far I will miss 4 days with 1 or 2 more in the next couple of weeks....for clinic visit and receiving our stuff which should actually be delivered next week.

I do a lot of walking...mainly because I get lost and get frustrated with myself. It would be easy to grab a cab but I figure if I walk I will remember and not make the same mistakes next time. The other day I actually walked around the entire outside of the Old City (that is where the Western Wall is) It took me about 45 minutes then I met Sharon at the mall we had Ice Coffee and then we walked to a hotel where friends from America where staying. ( I was at the Wall for their son's Bar Mitzvah and as I was leaving I was asked to join another Bar Mitzvah because the person did not have enough people to listen to him read from the Torah...I had the honor of saying one of the blessings before the Torah reading) So I walk and I take Hebrew...I meet friends for Coffee and I walk( probably around 3-5 miles a day) of course it is hot here but not the wet hot humid days that we got in Pittsburgh...so it is not to bad....and of course I wear sun screen and even got a hat from one of those fancy clothing lines to wear...and if I am not wearing that I am wearing my baseball hats...I drink lots of water and we are eating a lot healthier here with the fresh fruits and veggies...my clothes are getting loose but my weight has not changes so I think I am just taking the fat and tightening it up....

I FEEL GREAT AND I AM WALKING UP HILLS AND DOWN VALLEYS.....I LOVE IT!!!!!

I think that catches you up....for now....stop back again real soon!!!

As it says getting a heart transplant and what happens after.

This will be the last post that I make here on Along the Heart Trail.....that is the last post in America....I am moving to Israel....yes you heard that right....so what about health care and follow up for the transplant....Well I have a clinic.....and I just had Blood work done for rejection a few weeks ago and am pleased to report that again there are no signs of rejection....I had my last clinic visit in Pittsburgh last week and the they have been in touch with my new doctor and coordinator...all is going well.....and the transition should be smooth as silk.

So stop back in a few weeks as I post about my new life with my new heart in Israel.

Peace out.

Random

As the title says Random:

1. Insomnia sucks and really needs to take a vacation from my life.

2. I am still waiting for a reply to a question I asked last week....maybe it will come soon.

3. Friends love ya no matter what you do.

4. I shared my transplant story today at an award ceremony for a County Corner who is a very strong advocate for organ, tissue and cornea donations.......He thanked me for sharing my story because he never gets to see the results of those donations.

5. Thinks that sometimes taking a chance in life is worth it even if people think you are nuts.

6. Really hates that the local cable company breaks in every half hour with News Makers....I am watching a show here.....put that shit on in the middle of the night.....on second thought don't do that as I am usually awake in the middle of the night.

7. Insomnia sucks....

8. I am an adult...I wish people would understand that sometimes.

9. It's almost Friday

10. Pay it forward today.....if we all did that the world would be a better place.


ORGAN DONATIONS SAVE LIVES....SIGN YOUR ORGAN DONOR CARD TODAY!!

BE A HERO TO SOMEONE!!!!

On this Memorial Day let us not only remember those who gave their lives in service to our country...but all those who gave the gift of life....those of us who receive a transplant will not forget them.

A hero is someone who is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend or save another person's life!!

ORGAN DONATIONS SAVE LIVES....ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY SIGN UP TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR!!!

Be a Hero to someone!!!!

I had a clinic appointment on Wed of this week. They did an echo the pics were not that great and one doc wanted to shoot me up with contrast to get a better look. So the came and put an IV in my hand....and then the tech comes back the nurse asked if we were ready for the contrast. "No, I showed pics to another doc and he said we are god to go."

That really sucked I got poked when I did not need to get poked.

I was supposed to have my annual rt/left full heart cath....but canceled it because It was a rough few days before as my son, had a stent put in to relieve the blockage of a kidney stone on Monday. (he will have surgery to remove that stone and the ones in his right Kidney of the 3rd of June...lucky his graduation is the 2nd)

After ECHO I met with my Coordinator and the Docs....Everything looks great and there is no need to play with anything at this time. I will have my heart cath at the beginning of June...blood work at end of June and Blood work at the end of July where they will look for rejection and finally a clinic visit the first week of AUGUST.

My weight was up to 215 but no one is concerned at this point. The weather has not been that great to go out and walk..If I had a row boat I would get some exercise because it has been raining so much. My plan is to start walking even in the rain as long as it is not severe storms and start watching more the things I put in my mouth.

Ok I need all my readers to get the word out.!!

I need your help to spread the word....pass this on to everyone you know!!!!


Just found out that the 2012 Transplant Games will be happening. The sad part is the games are used to educate folks about the importance of Organ Donation and the lives that are changed by it. for those who receive these life saving surgeries and the families whose love ones have made a great sacrifice by choosing to be an organ donor.



here is a quote from the National Kidney Foundation:



NKF SUSPENDS U.S. TRANSPLANT GAMES IN 2012

Will Re-Examine Model in Light of Economic Conditions,

Programs to Encourage Organ Donation Continue



The National Kidney Foundation will not be hosting the U.S. Transplant Games in 2012.



"For 20 years," says NKF CEO John Davis, "the NKF U.S. Transplant Games have educated the public about the life-saving power of organ donation and dramatically demonstrated that those with transplants can and do lead normal and active lives. But the Games represent a multi-million dollar expense for the foundation," he explains, "that also requires a significant commitment of staff resources."



"Now," Davis says, "when most Americans view transplantation as almost routine surgery that restores life, we will re-examine the format and financial structure of the Games, to achieve maximum impact and to ensure sustainability going forward. As always, we will work with a range of constituents and supporters to accomplish this."





AS A PERSON WHO RECEIVED A TRANSPLANT AND HAVE MANY FRIENDS WHO HAVE HAD TRANSPLANTS...I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THE QUOTE:



Now," Davis says, "when most Americans view transplantation as almost routine surgery that restores life.



I don't know if this is true but if you ask me or any one else who is alive today if they or their families and friends view this as routine I think we would all say NO!!!

please see the whole article @NKF Website

IF YOU AGREE WITH ME LOOK UP THIS NOTICE AND AT THE END THEY ASK FOR COMMENTS....LET MR. DAVIS KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF HIS STATEMENT!!

Check in!!

OK I told you all that I would be checking in from time to time to let you know how things are going. I am doing well with the diet. I walked Monday Morning......I bowled on Tuesday and Wednesday...today I did not do anything I am tired...I spent two days at a table for Organ Donation Awareness Week....Stood there and handed out information and talked to people. I am tired so I did not do any type exercise. So I am giving my self permission to take the day off....weather is to be better this weekend so I am sure I will get my walks in all 3 days.

Changing Directions

OK so I have decided to change ALONG THE HEART TRAIL just a little...No I am not shutting it down....yes I am still going to post about my progress with the transplant but I have decided to use it as away to keep myself focused on things I need to do.

What are these things that I speak of? I am glad you asked...in addition to being blessed with a Congenital Heart Defect and some Pulmonary Problems....I was given a gift that I would not wish upon people I hate(not that I hate anyone) but if I did I would not wish this upon them...what is it? DIABETES!!!!

For some reason because I was diagnosed at age 33 everyone assumes that I have Type 2 which can be controlled with Diet and Exercise.....WRONGO BONGO.....I have Type 1....My Pancreas makes no...nada..zero...zilch insulin of its own. I have a insulin pump...this little device the size of a beeper is my pancreas....does it work...in a quick response the answer is yes....but only if I can control what goes into my mouth and what amount of time I spend exercising....So in away I must do the same thing that a person with type 1 needs to do...

However, and let me shout this from the roof top, IT WOULD NOT MATTER IF I LOST WEIGHT...I WOULD STILL NEED TO BE ON THE PUMP!!!!

Last Thursday morning my sugar reading was 571...high..hell yes it was high....the problem and danger that this can cause a body is down right scary....my problem is that I can not tell when my sugar is high....I can tell when it is low...but when it is high I can function without a care in the world....which is sad..and scary...one day my glucose meter did not even register a reading it just said high....so I guesstimated that it was about 500 and gave myself insulin...2 hours later it was down to 550 so it was not at 500 it was a lot higher. But last Thursday it was at 571...what ticked me off was that someone told my wife...well if he would just lose some weight he would be fine....NO....if I lose some weight I would have better control but since my body does not make insulin....let's say it together class...I WILL STILL BE DIABETIC!!!

sorry but ignorance is not an excuse for stupidity!!!

I have also discovered as I have written here before...that I do well when I follow a Gluten Free Diet....Some people find it strange...normally you don't connect Gluten with Diabetes...other illness yes...but Diabetes not so much....Maybe my wife is right can I have an allergy to Gluten? I don't know...but the one thing that I do know is that I feel better without it.

So I am going to start again to get off the Gluten....I had zero yesterday....but that fact is I have done it before...only after awhile slipping back into eating it again......I must approach this battle with Gluten much like and alcoholic or drug addict, sex addict, gambling addict and food addict deals with their addiction....

ONE DAY AT A TIME.....that is so much easier said then done...because your mind starts to play tricks on you....the voices in your head tell you...go head one cookie, slice of bread, slice of pizza, bite of pasta is not gonna hurt you...it not like you eat this way everyday...well I am here to tell you that it does hurt...because once I have that one bite something triggers in my mind and I do nothing but grab anything and everything with Gluten in it....and much like other addicts how do I feel after...like a worthless piece of shit. So how do I punish myself....you guessed it I just eat more Gluten....

Do I feel like exercising when I am eating this way....Hell to the NO!! And that is the other part of it....Do I need to exercise? Well DUH...the new heart is not going to do me any good if I don't....so for this reason I will be sharing my journey with you all here as I battle this addiction.

Yesterday....April 3rd I had no Gluten....I did have a high sugar reading of 410 but that was because I did not pay attention and got a smoothie protein drink that was not sugar free...while there was no Gluten in it...there was sugar....for the rest of the day I drank water.....I ate fruit with peanut butter, chips with salsa and a protein bar...my sugar was under 150 for most of the day...it did go up at one point to 211 after I ate but quickly dropped down to under 175 and has stayed there. I also walked for an hour and a half today...this was the first time since returning from Israel where I did a lot of walking that I actually got out and walked...and I felt great...

So you see I have 1 day under my belt so to speak....I have been up since 9am Sunday and it is now 4:30am Monday.....this is called healthy living...Hopefully it is just a little hick up and my body will learn to use all its energy during day light hours.

I am documenting the journey here for one reason and one reason only....this blog is posted on various social networks....so what I need from you is to keep me honest and to call me out if I do not post every couple of days....CAN YOU DO THAT FOR ME????

I have been blessed by having you as readers and friends...we have been through some rough waters together but have always come out OK....I know that I will be OK with your continued love and support.

Thanks

2 years ago today!!

It was 2 years ago at 9:25 AM I was still in the hospital in Kidney and Heart Failure. I was moved up the list the night before and I had 2 visitors, Leslie and Jill we were having a nice talk when the doctor came in and said, "We have a 22 year old heart, do you want it?" "Let me think about that for a second, HELL YES!!" I said.

He said to call who I needed to call and the surgery would take place later that day.

I called Sharon and told her to pack a suite case for 3 days because we have our heart. I sent a text to my co-workers, who were on their way to visit as I was sending them the message.

The rest of the day was filled with phone calls and visits.

at around 9:30PM some people where getting anxious because the surgery had not happened yet....But I was calm, the heart was mine and I knew somewhere a family was saying goodbye to a 22 year old child...and I could wait as long as it would take.

Finally at 11 PM they took me down to the holding area I said good bye to most of my family and was in the area when another friend Rebbecca came in and saw me. The last thing I remember is the doctor putting pads on my back.

I was told they started the operation at 12 AM on the 26th and it ended at 6:00 AM

As Sharon likes to Joke, That's Anthony he is quick and easy.

I have been blessed by this gift in so many ways that I can never say thank you enough to my donor or their family.

Out of respect for them THERE NOT BE A POST TOMORROW Rather it will be posted here:

2years ago today!!!!!


I received the gift of life. I received my HEART!!

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TOMORROW MARCH 26TH AND SAY A PRAYER FOR MY DONOR AND THEIR FAMILY.


IF YOU ARE NOT AN ORGAN DONOR SIGN YOUR CARD TODAY....YOU NEVER KNOW WHOSE LIFE YOU WILL SAVE!!

2 years ago today!!

It was Tuesday March 24th at about 8 PM. I was still holding all this fluid....the doc came in and told me I was having Kidney failure and they were going to give me meds to help my heart beat more effectively...that was the bad news...the good news was that this would move me up the transplant list....so I called Sharon and told her...at this point we were originally told it was going to be a 18-24 month wait...so I told her maybe it would not be as long but that I would probably be in the hospital till I got the heart...

It was hard to hear those words from the doctor...basically it was like receiving a death sentence....how do you live with both your heart and kidney's failing....it would be a very long and restless night for me.

2 years ago today!!

It was a Monday..I spent the weekend in the hospital with very little movement in the water removal category....so needless to say that the Hear Cath was off. So we are still in a holding pattern hoping to do the Cath on Tuesday.

2 years ago today!!

March 20th 2009, I was at a follow up appointment with the clinic, as most pre-transplant people do. I was holding 25 liters of fluid and we made the decision to admit me to the hospital and take the weekend to get the fluid off my body and then on Monday we would do a heart cath and see what is going on with the heart functions.

So I called Sharon and filled her in on what the plan was for the weekend. My next call was to my friend Danny. You see I had already picked up our Shabbos Dinner and it was in the car. So I called Danny and asked him to come and pick up the meal.

After, I met Danny in the parking garage and we exchanged the meal. I went back into the hospital got settled into my room. To be honest I was looking forward to a relaxing weekend of Peeing...

PLEASE READ I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!

I posted an event over on facebook...sorry twitter fans I can not list it on twitter as it is to long but now you can read it.

Ok so the event is to take place on March 26, 2011 the 2nd year anniversary of my heart transplant. I asked people to please join me in saying a prayer on that day for the donor and their family because if it was not for their sacrifice at a time of sorrow for them I would not be alive today.

A simple request yes...no, I have people who may attend and some who are not attending and some whom have yet to RSVP.

Is it not amazing that people are so busy that they can not take 1 minute to say a prayer or take a minute of silence to remember the sacrifice made by a family who just lost their 22 year old child.

With the horrific things that have happen around the world this week...I realize even more then I usually do that life is a gift and that gift can be taken away at any moment.

Because of the sacrifice of my donor and their family the gift of life was given to 8 people on March 26, 2009....and if in this world we can not take a minute to say a prayer or just take a moment to think of that sacrifice then it is a sad commentary on our lives.

Call me MR. Zero for short!!

Ok so I am in a good mood. Got the phone call that the results of my blood work for any signs of rejection came in and has been for the last 24 months things are still looking ok..no good...no awesome....no Freaking Awesome. As I posted earlier the results of this test are 100% accurate in showing no rejection...but if there is rejection it does not show how much.

I am still sitting with zero rejection after almost 2 years...if I can get through year 3 with these same kinda of results I will be home free of anything major happening as far as rejection goes.

My next test will be the dreaded Left/right heart cath that I will have in May!!!! Yes I really do not like this test but you gotta do what you gotta do!!


Ok so go out and make a difference in the world today!!!

and a good time it was.....NOT

Ok so I got to the clinic on time...was called back at 8AM...my actual appointment time and was seen by the Nurse...followed by the coordinator....who ordered a slew of blood work...my weight was up 2lbs from my last visit and has been creeping up over the last couple...(funny my scale at home weighs me the same everyday) Dr. Mike asked if my scale was broken...(no because it shows my wife's weight going down...) so as long as my scale at home stays the same or goes down I really see no issue here. But the appointment at the clinic went a little longer the I had hoped...the above mentioned Dr. Mike and the surgeon..were running a little behind schedule...so after waiting 45 minutes are conversation was somewhat brief.....them."you look great any concerns?" Me "Nope I feel great." them, "good so the plan is for you to get blood work today and then we will see you in May for your yearly Right and Left heart Cath." me, "Sounds good."

Drove over to the lab..got lost but eventually found it.....did not go far enough up the road...go in register and then weight for 45 mins...finally got called back...girl begins to input test in the computer...ok we are ready to go...6 tubes of blood later...and another 5 minutes of waiting while we reviewed my demographics to make sure the right tubes get tested and I was on my way home at 11 AM...was it faster then getting a biopsy....yes in the fact that it only took 5 minutes to take the blood...but from the start of the clinic visit till I was done with the blood work I would say it was a tie.

I did offer a suggestion to my coordinator that I saw today...next time I would like to do the blood work a week in advance...Since it is only 100% accurate for showing no rejection...that way if there is doubt I will already be scheduled for a biopsy and it is far easier to cancel that the day of then waiting to schedule for another day.

I should have the results by early next week...so in the meantime I ask you all to say a brief pray that everything will come back fine.

It is time for the clinic

In about 6 hours I will leave the house and drive into the Burgh to Transplant Clinic at UPMC Presby...this trip will be different then my previous post transplant trips and to tell you the truth I am very excited about it.

WHY you ask...let me tell you..this time I see the usual people..but instead of leaving them and going to the Cath lab for a Biopsy....I get to go to a different building and get a blood test. The test is a lot quicker then a Biopsy and does not require me laying on a table for 30 minutes with my shoulders (yes they still bother me) screaming and get stiff to the point of tears. The blood test will only tell if there is no rejection..however after having none for the last 23 months there is no reason to think there will be...but if G-d forbid there is it does not say how much there is so I would then need to have the Biopsy done.

I find it hard at times to put my head around the fact that in a short 23 days that 2 years have passed since I received that wonderful gift of life from a family who in their greatest time of sorrow thought enough to allow several people to be helped with their love ones organs. I thank G-d everyday for the wonderful gift I have been given.

I will let you all know how the test goes in the mean time talks among yourselves...
Need a topic....

How do we get more people to become ORGAN DONORS?