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DAP1122
Forum Leader
Username: Dap1122
Post Number: 2096
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Monday, November 01, 2010 - 07:34 pm: | 
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11/1/2010 ~
I AM BACK!!!
It was a great trip and a great time with the little people, but I'm also very happy to be back home.
We did a lot with the little people and I took a LOT of pictures.
I was reading a little on TxBuddies every day, but I never had the time to really absorb or respond. So, it will take me a while to catch up.
On the bright side, here on the home front, FIL is out of rehab and back home. My Mom is still in rehab and will be there any where from another week to another month, her recovery is SLOWLY progressing.
Here's a shopping picture ........ not my choice in hats, but whatever .....
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Hostess Meagan
Forum Leader
Username: Newheart14
Post Number: 1483
Registered: 01-2009
| | Posted on Monday, November 01, 2010 - 08:45 pm: |
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Don,
Nice to have you back. Glad to hear the parents are on the mend, even though your mom isn't home yet, but hopefully she will be home for the holidays. You probably need a holiday now to rest up for the upcoming holidays. 
Not my choice of hats either, but he is still so very cute. Who took them trick or treating, and who stayed home to hand the candies out?
Take care,
Meagan
Forum Leader
Heart-Liver Transplant - February 14, 2008
Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy 1991 and CHF
- Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept trying when there seemed to be no hope at all - Dale Carnegie
- Bumps in the road can sometimes be mountains, so I have learned to climb mountains - Meagan
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Hostess Meagan
Forum Leader
Username: Newheart14
Post Number: 1485
Registered: 01-2009
| | Posted on Monday, November 01, 2010 - 09:15 pm: |
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PS Don,
I guess you have been too busy to watch DWTS? Perhaps you recorded all the episodes you missed, so I won't say anything. 
Forum Leader
Heart-Liver Transplant - February 14, 2008
Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy 1991 and CHF
- Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept trying when there seemed to be no hope at all - Dale Carnegie
- Bumps in the road can sometimes be mountains, so I have learned to climb mountains - Meagan
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Karen R.
Forum Leader
Username: Relivkaren
Post Number: 5000
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Monday, November 01, 2010 - 10:09 pm: |
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Don:
Welcome home!! As always you were missed, but we knew you were having a ball with the little people. Who - by the way - are just adorable!!
Glad to hear that some of the chaos at your house is lessened. Your mom will be okay. It just takes some time when you are older.
I hope you have a great week!
God Bless!
Karen
Dx: BOOP - May 2006. Rediagnosed with Bronchiolitis Obliterans Nov. 2006
Double lung transplant on Dec. 1st, 2009
Cleveland Clinic
Ohio, USA
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. |
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Rise
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 14805
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 02, 2010 - 04:58 pm: |
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Glad to have you back! YAY!! I love when you refer to the grandkids as little people.
so cute! love the picture by the way.
When your Mom comes home,that will be a rewarding day for all.
Sending you my best,
Rise'
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DAP1122
Forum Leader
Username: Dap1122
Post Number: 2111
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Friday, November 05, 2010 - 07:11 am: |
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11/5/2010 ~
Meagan, Karen and Rise', Thanks for the nice comments.
Meagan, we have been watching DWTS. At least the actual dance show, we missed some of the "results" shows. The first week I thought Jennifer Grey is the one to beat, but Brandy has come on strong so now it's a toss up. Bristol, Kyle and Kurt are OK, but not nearly as good as the other 2. Of course being a good dancer doesn't mean you'll get to stay. I've been wrong a number of times by who has left.
Life is getting back to normal. My Mom now has a firm release date. She will "escape" next Saturday (13th) from rehab and go home. Tonight, we are going to have a mini-escape and take her out for dinner. Just hope it goes OK.
I'm not getting back to a regular gym schedule again and that feels good, as well as back on my regular diet. I am glad to be home.
Been working on a number of other issues here, including a possible change in health insurance plans. Same company, but a different plan. My monthly premiums are high, and we are looking at this other plan and perhaps save a $200 a month. But, as each and every one of us here knows, the devil is always in the details when it comes to insurance.
Glad to be home and ...... LIFE IS GOOD!!!
I'm just getting started on going through over 900 pictures ......
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Hostess Meagan
Forum Leader
Username: Newheart14
Post Number: 1503
Registered: 01-2009
| | Posted on Friday, November 05, 2010 - 08:54 am: |
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Don,
I just have to smile anytime I see a picture of one or both of the little people. Have you seen my blog recently? I posted a couple of Alyssa and my grand-nephew.
I agree with your critique of DWTS. Although I don't think he will win it all, I have to smile everytime I see Kyle. He does have personality.
Enjoy your dinner with your mom. I am sure she will have a great time getting "sprung" temporarily from rehab.
Forum Leader
Heart-Liver Transplant - February 14, 2008
Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy 1991 and CHF
- Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept trying when there seemed to be no hope at all - Dale Carnegie
- Bumps in the road can sometimes be mountains, so I have learned to climb mountains - Meagan
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DAP1122
Forum Leader
Username: Dap1122
Post Number: 2123
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Monday, November 08, 2010 - 08:13 pm: |
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11/8/2010 ~
I'll try to make this brief, since DWTS comes on in a few minutes.
Had a good weekend here, except that it was cold and we had to deal with a little snow here. (First of the season) Flurries on Friday evening and a light covering on the ground Saturday morning (see below). Yesterday, we were up in Cleveland and some parts had 4" on the ground. Today was a bit warmer, the sun was out and it was a beautiful, brisk fall day.
We are in the planning stages of getting Mom out of rehab on Saturday. Who will do "this" and who will do "that" for her. Right now, I'm planning on getting a few things either fixed, moved, or dealt with in some manner before she gets there.
Today, I spent some time and dealt with another pharmacy issue. A week or so ago, I ordered some refills online and they arrived on Friday. I was worried that there would be yet another issue with the generic Cellcept I've been on and they ever changing manufacturer issues. Nope, not this time ....... I've been on Gengraf (generic Neoral) for 3 and half years. It's come like clockwork each and every time I've ordered it, until Friday. Much to my surprise my mail order pharmacy "substituted" a different cyclosporine manufacture. This is a HUGE NO-NO with my transplant center. So, today I called to find out why ...... The forth person I spoke with was one of the pharmacists ...... I gave him the history, he looked me up on-line and said ...... "whoops, somebody made a mistake" ..... "we will fix that right now" ........ it sure was a relief to hear those words.
Life is good!!
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DAP1122
Forum Leader
Username: Dap1122
Post Number: 2133
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, November 13, 2010 - 08:39 am: |
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11/13/2010 ~
It's been a week of progress here at DAP1122 World Headquarters. Today, my Mom will go home finally from the rehab facility due to her knee replacement. She's been in rehab for over 6 weeks. Much progress has been made around the house & yard as well. Bushes trimmed, leaves cleaned up and a few inside projects as well.
After the snow we had last weekend, we had a week of warmer temps which allowed for the completion of outside projects.
No real plans for the weekend ...... only a family "meeting" at Mom's tomorrow evening to see "who" will be doing "what" for her, for a while.
Life is GOOD!!
Alexander ~ Future pediatrician?
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Hostess Meagan
Forum Leader
Username: Newheart14
Post Number: 1547
Registered: 01-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, November 13, 2010 - 07:54 pm: |
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Don,
You have been a very busy bee this year with all of your projects. I bet your mom is happy to be going home. I hope she is on the mend and able to get around a little.
Alexander the Pediatrician and Alyssa the transplant surgeon ... hmmm. Wonder what Bella will be.
Hugs,
Meagan
Forum Leader
Heart-Liver Transplant - February 14, 2008
Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy 1991 and CHF
- Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept trying when there seemed to be no hope at all - Dale Carnegie
- Bumps in the road can sometimes be mountains, so I have learned to climb mountains - Meagan
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Rita
Forum Leader
Username: Rita
Post Number: 443
Registered: 06-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 15, 2010 - 07:57 pm: |
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I am glad your mom is home and I hope she is moving around and feeling much better soon.
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Organic Gal
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 14939
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - 06:31 am: |
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OH MY! I love the pictures of your grandchildren. How cute!
Glad to hear your Mom is on her way home. Wonderful Thanksgiving news.
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Karen R.
Forum Leader
Username: Relivkaren
Post Number: 5035
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Friday, November 19, 2010 - 11:28 pm: |
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Don:
It's good to finally catch up on your "news." I am so far behind on posts thanks to my new little baby (Moe).
I am so glad to hear that your mom is going home. I am sure she is really ready to sleep in her own bed. That is always the best about being home.
I love the picture of "the little people" playing doctor. You never know - doctors they could be!!!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
God Bless!
Karen
Dx: BOOP - May 2006. Rediagnosed with Bronchiolitis Obliterans Nov. 2006
Double lung transplant on Dec. 1st, 2009
Cleveland Clinic
Ohio, USA
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. |
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DAP1122
Forum Leader
Username: Dap1122
Post Number: 2152
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, November 20, 2010 - 08:17 am: |
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11/20/2010 ~
This week has FLOWN by! Some days I wasn't sure if I was coming or going. But it was a great week. We didn't have to go to any rehab facilities for the first time in almost 2 months. I did go to the hospital twice, but that was to volunteer and then again to attend our monthly transplant dinner, which is ALWAYS good for me!
Meagan, Rita, Rise' and Karen, thanks for the comments!!
I have completed a number of small projects here this week and maybe we will goof off a bit this weekend. We are ready for a nice, quiet Thanksgiving.
Life is GOOD ~ Life is a BLESSING!
Here's one HAPPY little lady!!!
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DAP1122
Forum Leader
Username: Dap1122
Post Number: 2157
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2010 - 08:55 am: |
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11/22/1950 ~
(The following is cross posted from my other blog)
_______________________________________
The photo below is of me exactly a half a lifetime ago ..... today.
How do I remember this? Well, simply put, because it's written on the back of the photo. I have a vague recollection of the event, it's more like a dream where you know something happened, but can't provide a lot of details.
As I was looking at this photo, I kept wondering ...... what happened to this young, carefree guy that had an entire life ahead of him?
I don't even recognize him now!
There is some gray in that hair now, some (many) wrinkles and deeper furrows in the lines of the face, the mustache is all gray & white. The weight is pretty much the same, at least within ten pounds. That shirt long ago went to the victims of some unknown hurricane.
Of course, there's some scars. There's scars from living through life's ordeals that have faded, there's four feet of scars from my sternum to my ankle from my heart issues and my heart transplant. These too have faded.
On my birthday, in 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated. It was a day I will never forget. Etched in my memory forever. I still have a great number of books in my library about his death, the conspiracy and the "patsy" Lee Harvey Oswald. What I would give to know the total truth.
The principles and ideals haven't changed a lot. Nor the desires.
My faith is stronger than ever and I know the power of prayer works. I'm more optimistic than pessimistic, usually seeing the glass as half full.
I have grown up, perhaps more guarded than I was a half a lifetime ago. But, I am more thankful now, than ever in my life. My heart donor taught me that.
As you search for the meaning of life or your destiny all you have to do is take a long look a half a lifetime ago. Many things become more clear.
Have I learned the "lessons of life"? I have learned many, but not all of them. Life continues to evolve. But, I have seen that the pace is much slower now than it was for me thirty years ago. Of course, I'm a bit slower now, than I was then as well. I am also maybe not as patient. Life is too short, we have to make every day count for something.
Have I found my life's path, my destiny? I don't think we're ever sure if we've found "life's path" or our true destiny. But, I think I'm on God's path ..... I do know there's a reason I'm still here, still alive. I've truly learned that reaching out, helping others is more important than so many other things in life. Life is not about ME, it's about US ........ we all need help at some point. we all need hope at some point as well. I like to say I'm not in management any more, I'm in the "Hope" business.
Being close to death did change me. It opened my eyes to life.
Today, many people will tease and torment me about my age, about how old I am. And, that is their prerogative. But I'll tell you, age is truly a state of mind. I can be a whiny three-year-old when I want to be. I can also feel like I'm sixteen or twenty-five on occasion. And the day after a strenuous workout, I can also feel eighty-five. As I told my friends at my heart transplant dinner last week ....... in regard to my birthday and my age .......
I'm not older, I'm simply more thankful today!!
Thank you, to all my friends!!
PS: To my anonymous donor and my donor's family. My special thanks to you and my continued prayers for allowing me to see today. Be well and may God Bless you and yours ALWAYS!! The borrowed heart in my body is a daily reminder of you, my HERO!!
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DAP1122
Forum Leader
Username: Dap1122
Post Number: 2168
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, November 25, 2010 - 10:12 am: |
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11/25/2010 ~
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I am THANKFUL for my donor and LIFE!!
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DAP1122
Forum Leader
Username: Dap1122
Post Number: 2180
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, November 28, 2010 - 08:42 pm: |
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11/28/2010 ~
It's been a decent Thanksgiving weekend. Oh, it could have been better, but all-in-all, it's been a good weekend with much to be thankful for.
Thanksgiving was an emotional day for me. Lots of retrospect, lots of prayers for all I've been blessed with in my life and all those that need God's blessings.
Over the weekend, FIL had to go to the local hospital to have a pacemaker implanted. The procedure went well and he's back in his house once again. (We've been to the hospital way TOO many times in the past couple of months.)
Busy week ahead ...... to Mom's tomorrow to meet with a contractor about installing a variety of "assist" devices (handrails, etc) to give her better mobility. I'll volunteer on Tuesday this week, as I have a cardiac biopsy and clinical visit on Wednesday. Thursday, we'll pack as we're going to see the "little people" next weekend and celebrate lots of birthdays .... Mine, Alexander's, Isabella's, and our son's ....... yep, we're having a party!!
Life is GOOD, and we all have so much to be thankful for.
I'm not sure who's happier .......
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Karen R.
Forum Leader
Username: Relivkaren
Post Number: 5066
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Monday, November 29, 2010 - 10:44 pm: |
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Don:
There is lots going on in your life - that's for sure! The greatest thing though is that you are so thankful for all that goes on in your life because simply put - you are alive!!
Thanksgiving was a little emotional for me too for several reasons. Last year I was still on O2 and struggling for every breath. I also lost my precious aunt (moms' sister) on Thanksgiving Day. Then the moment that changed my life happened 5 days later - my lungs came. It's hard to think that a year ago I was waiting desperately to breathe and today I breathe so easy. I am so thankful and so amazed at the miracles that have happened in my life!
You and Bella are just soooo precious! I can see the love in your eyes from that picture.
Have a good trip! Hopefully, I will see you on Wednesday, Dec. 8th. I will email you my schedule tomorrow when I have it in front of me.
God Bless!
Karen
Dx: BOOP - May 2006. Rediagnosed with Bronchiolitis Obliterans Nov. 2006
Double lung transplant on Dec. 1st, 2009
Cleveland Clinic
Ohio, USA
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. |
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