| Author |
Message |
Gooch72
Member
Username: Gooch72
Post Number: 27
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 10:36 am: | 
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I got the call at 6:20 a.m. this morning (May 9, Wed.). Heart t.x. op. sched. for 11 a.m. Central Time--about 30 min. fm. now. Transplant friends, please pray for me(let the Lord do that which seems good to Him). Thanks for all the past help this site & friends have been. Will update as able in the future. Dr. says it looks like a go. Praise the Lord!
| Went on heart tx. list---11-1-11 @ Baylor Med. Ctr., Dallas. Waiting for heart tx. or LVAD if LVAD is needed 1st.----implanted heart medicine catheter. |
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Tamara
Member
Username: Heppygirl
Post Number: 80
Registered: 05-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 10:41 am: |
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Good luck!! Praying for you 
Tamara
24y/o, from the Netherlands
Cystic Fibrosis, Dxed at birth
Bilateral lungtransplant, September 2010
http://muffinmeetsworld.blogspot.com
Anywhoo... |
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Brian
Member
Username: Belizeangaijin
Post Number: 56
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 10:49 am: |
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Gooch,
Stay strong brother! congratulations, let us know how you are doing as soon as you can! You and I are going to share re-birthdays! Today is my five year anniversary as well! Good luck!
Brian |
Happy2Bhere
Forum Leader
Username: Happy2bhere
Post Number: 4579
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 11:58 am: |
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Gooch, I am truly thrilled to read this wonderful news. You are beginning a very important phase of your life. As soon as you can, please share your outcome with us. We are anxiously awaiting further news.
I'm sure it will be a few days before you have access to your 'puter.
God Bless
Ol' Bob
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Rebekah
Member
Username: Andmiles2go
Post Number: 5
Registered: 08-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 12:10 pm: |
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So happy for you, Gooch, and praying you feel better very soon!
Rebekah |
gratefuldeb
Member
Username: Gratefuldeb
Post Number: 184
Registered: 05-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 12:16 pm: |
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Awesome news! Keeping you and the donor family in my thoughts and prayers. How great that you and Brian will be able to share your transplant anniversary date!
Debra
Heart Tx 9/08
Stanford University Medical Center
Dx: Right sided heart failure due to a rare form of muscular dystrophy
I have a beautiful new heart from a wonderful donor named Robin, to whom I will be forever grateful.
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Hostess Rise'
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 17373
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 05:36 pm: |
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Hi Gooch
Great news for you!
I will be thinking and praying for you and your donor family.
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DAP1122
Forum Leader
Username: Dap1122
Post Number: 3325
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 07:06 pm: |
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Gooch, sending my prayers ..... may your recovery be quick and painless. I also will keep your donor & donor family in my prayers as well.
God Bless ~ Don
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Rocket Heart
Member
Username: Rocketheart583
Post Number: 660
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 07:22 pm: |
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You go Gooch!! Prayers for you...
Rocket Heart
Tom Emahiser
Waterville, Oh
Heart Failure
Heart Txplt 1/26/05 University of Michigan |
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Holly
Member
Username: Holly
Post Number: 598
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 08:02 pm: |
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Gooch...that is awesome! So glad your wait was short, now let your recovery be quick.
Prayers for you and your family and also your donor's family as well.
God be with you all.
Holly Mulkerin
Medina Ohio
Heart transplant 1/28/09 I have a Happy Heart
Be kind. Remember that everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Harry Thompson
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Judy
Member
Username: Judyb3753
Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2012
| | Posted on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 09:43 am: |
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Gooch, let us know how you are doing when you are able to get on the computer again. I am still waiting for the call. Excited for you!
Judy Barker |
Gooch72
Member
Username: Gooch72
Post Number: 28
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 11:05 pm: |
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Got the heart on May 9th--got out of the hosp. about 7-1/2 days later. Doing better ea. day now. Will write more tomorrow. Thanks for all the prayers & thoughts for me. And, yes, thanks to the generous donor family. All looks well so far, so my friends continue to pray for my recovery. I really do feel bleesed by God through all of this. Beginning to eat & sleep much better now & walking much farther. I sure was weak at first. It's truly an amazing journey! Goodnight for now transplant friends. Don't know what I would have done without those to talk to who had already gone through it.
| Went on heart tx. list---11-1-11 @ Baylor Med. Ctr., Dallas. Waiting for heart tx. or LVAD if LVAD is needed 1st.----implanted heart medicine catheter. |
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Happy2Bhere
Forum Leader
Username: Happy2bhere
Post Number: 4592
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 09:15 am: |
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Gooch, it's great to see you back online and I'm totally thrilled, your transplant went just fine. Like you stated above ".. It's truly an amazing journey!".
You now have that new lease on life, my dear friend. Use it wisely. God Bless
Ol' Bob
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gratefuldeb
Member
Username: Gratefuldeb
Post Number: 189
Registered: 05-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 01:11 pm: |
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So happy to hear that you are doing well! Wow, only 7-1/2 days in the hospital! Don't be concerned about feeling weak, as your body will take time to get over the effects of surgery. Enjoy your new lease on life, and best of luck during your recovery!
Deb
Debra
Heart Tx 9/08
Stanford University Medical Center
Dx: Right sided heart failure due to a rare form of muscular dystrophy
I have a beautiful new heart from a wonderful donor named Robin, to whom I will be forever grateful.
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Gooch72
Member
Username: Gooch72
Post Number: 29
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 06:22 pm: |
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Thanks, everyone, for your responses. Yes, I feel like God gave me another chance at life. I hope I please Him with it.
| Went on heart tx. list---11-1-11 @ Baylor Med. Ctr., Dallas. Waiting for heart tx. or LVAD if LVAD is needed 1st.----implanted heart medicine catheter. |
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Happy2Bhere
Forum Leader
Username: Happy2bhere
Post Number: 4593
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 08:39 pm: |
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Gooch, I composed a Analogy many years ago and this is the final line in my composition: "One more thought comes to me, is that when I received a heart transplant 14 years ago, it was as if God simply, and with love,....threw another log on my fire...."
BTW Here's my complete Analogy:
"One's life from beginning to end, is like a warm blaze in a fireplace from start to finish. Whenever a few logs are set ablaze, they seem to have a small gradual burn. When I see this, I am reminded of an infant crawling, then learning to walk alone.
The flames seem to get bigger and burn more briskly. This again reminds me of a youngster growing and experiencing life as it is, gaining knowledge and growing to adulthood.
At it's peak, the logs in the fireplace seem to emerge into a roaring flame. This brings to my mind, the fast pace part of life,in the years, when marriage, raising children, and working to keep life on track, takes up all of one's time. There never seems to be enough hours in the day. Life in this period, is fully roaring, with many responsibilities. But, like the fire in the fireplace, life can be very warm and satisfying, if one chooses to let it. Then, before you realize it, the logs begin a lower, more gradual burn, reminding me that with the children grown and out on their own, one may tend to slow his or her own pace down to a gradual, more peaceful life.
Soon, the fireplace has only red hot coals, reminding me of retirement years. For extra excitement and a bit more happiness, one only needs to stir the red orange coals for a little flame. When the coals turn gray and cool, that means to me that we've gone to Heaven to meet our Creator. Our fire has burned out in this life........
One more thought comes to me, is that when I received a heart transplant 14 years ago, it was as if God simply, and with love,....threw another log on my fire....
Ol' Bob
P.S. So very happy that you are doing just fine, post transplant, Gooch. "Git-R-Done!", pardner
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Holly
Member
Username: Holly
Post Number: 600
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2012 - 08:02 am: |
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Gooch72,
Good to hear from you. hope all is going well and your healing quickly.Take every day as the gift it us that has been given to you. Treasure every moment. We are all God's special miracles.
Bob...beautiful analogy, thanks.
God Bless you both
Holly Mulkerin
Medina Ohio
Heart transplant 1/28/09 I have a Happy Heart
Be kind. Remember that everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Harry Thompson
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Gooch72
Member
Username: Gooch72
Post Number: 32
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2012 - 10:14 pm: |
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Thanks for the good analogy, Bob. Thanks, too, for your thoughts, Grateful Deb & Holly.
| Went on heart tx. list---11-1-11 @ Baylor Med. Ctr., Dallas. Heart transplanted on 5-9-12. |
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DAP1122
Forum Leader
Username: Dap1122
Post Number: 3366
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 07:26 am: |
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Gooch,
Hooray for you!! It sounds like you are doing well. Please keep in touch and let us know how you progress.
I wish you well and God Bless
~ DAP
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Gooch72
Member
Username: Gooch72
Post Number: 33
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 01:47 pm: |
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DAP1122, Thanks. Dr. says I'm doing fine so far. Now to gain some strength, so I can begin to enjoy this new heart I've been blessed with (already feeling better, & praising the Great Healer for this gift). Dr.'s, nurses, techs. & many other medical people did their parts and more, but they can't do much without "THE GREAT I AM." ((Isaiah 41:10).
| Went on heart tx. list---11-1-11 @ Baylor Med. Ctr., Dallas. Heart transplanted on 5-9-12. |
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Happy2Bhere
Forum Leader
Username: Happy2bhere
Post Number: 4598
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 08:07 pm: |
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Gooch, we are all very proud of you and your medical team, my dear friend. Your strength will get better and better as each day goes by. Just don't overdo it in the very beginning but It's up to you now to exercise regularly and do everything your Doc says. Taking your meds on time is very important. God Bless
Ol' Bob
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Gooch72
Member
Username: Gooch72
Post Number: 34
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 09:04 pm: |
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Thanks, Bob. Good advice.
| Went on heart tx. list---11-1-11 @ Baylor Med. Ctr., Dallas. Heart transplanted on 5-9-12. |
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ruthevans
Member
Username: Ruthevans41
Post Number: 5
Registered: 05-2012
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 04:46 am: |
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Wow it was really great to read the entire post. Started from May9th and as an when I was drilling the thread...was getting a bit tensed for Gooch72 but jumped with joy when saw the comment coming from Gooch on 22May. Congratulations Gooch enjoy every second of you new life. |
Gooch72
Member
Username: Gooch72
Post Number: 35
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 07:39 pm: |
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Ruthevans, thanks for following my thread. After the tx. op., I thought I would get back on the comp. to give daily reports, but of course I was pretty weak. The open- heart surgery takes abit of time to recover one's strength. I got another good report fm. tests today @ dr.'s office. All continues to go well so far, Praise God for that! And much thanks to those praying for my recovery. I attend my first P.T. rehab orientation meeting Thurs. aft. & begin P.T. either Fri. or Mon. I'm stronger everyday & beginning to enjoy this new heart. Now, I guess the trick is to teach my 69-yr. old body to catch up to the young heart. I'm still very happy & amazed at all that has happened to me since my heart attack 18 months ago. It has been one incredible journey. Those still on the list just know that your time is coming. Many smart people on the site told me that waiting was the hardest part---and they were right. Right now, I think I'm still thanking & praising God for this heart most of the day. It's a great feeling, espec. once the op. wounds heal up a little. I've noticed that when I do get tired my recovery times are much shorter now, & that truly is an encouraging thing. I also thank the Lord for leading me to a good transplant team of skilled surgeons, nurses, & all kinds of med. techs. If you are still waiting, hold on; it will be worth it. I guess everyone who has gone thru the wait feels like they "have been walking trhough the Valley of the Shadow of Death" for a yr. or 2. Whatever extra time the Lord has now given me, I plan to enjoy & use wisely. Thanks again to all here @ this site who have helped me along this journey. Hope I can encourage others here half as well
| Went on heart tx. list---11-1-11 @ Baylor Med. Ctr., Dallas. Heart transplanted on 5-9-12. |
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Happy2Bhere
Forum Leader
Username: Happy2bhere
Post Number: 4604
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 07:57 pm: |
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Gooch, you are certainly beginning your new journey post heart transplant, with the proper outlook/attitude. Your quote from above... "Hope I can encourage others here half as well" Bless you
BTW You are just 3yrs younger than me, my friend.
I too am walking a bit slower, lately. <chuckle>
Ol' Bob
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Gooch72
Member
Username: Gooch72
Post Number: 36
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 - 02:31 pm: |
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Pretty funny, Bob. HA, ha---I'm walking a little better than that (for now, anyway). But I'm still asking God for more strength everyday. My phys. therapy orientation meeting is Thur. Aim is to build back some muscle strength soon. Sitting around or lying around surely takes its toll on a person very quickly. Like you say, "Just Proud to be here right now."
| Went on heart tx. list---11-1-11 @ Baylor Med. Ctr., Dallas. Heart transplanted on 5-9-12. |
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Hostess Rise'
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 17392
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 - 02:36 pm: |
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Hi Gooch
I am so happy for you. Sounds like you are doing remarkably well. BE proud of yourself! You are an inspiration to so many people around here so keep in touch!
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Happy2Bhere
Forum Leader
Username: Happy2bhere
Post Number: 4607
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 02:20 pm: |
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What's going on up there in Dallas, Gooch?
Ol' Bob
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Gooch72
Member
Username: Gooch72
Post Number: 37
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Friday, June 01, 2012 - 05:39 am: |
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I had a busy day,Bob, Had 4 med. appts.(all routine) fm 7 am lasting until 6:30 pm--a very busy day for me. Also, got signed up for P.T, re-hab. Between P.T. & dr. visits, I have to go to the hosp.. 5 days ea. wk. for awhile. Guess my wife will be busy taking me everywhere. She also is maintaing her Abilene job thru comp. & cell phone as we stay temporarily in Dallas If we continue to get good reports fm. the dr.'s, we might get to move back home to Abilene by late July or early Aug. I like Dallas okay. but I'm a West Texas boy---I love the wide-open spaces (grew up in Odessa). Too much traffic here, but the medical expertise is here, so I knew I would be living here a few months. My wife likes Dallas just fine, but she needs to stay on her job 3 more yrs. to retire. We've been married 41 yrs., & I feel lucky & blessed to have her as my wife & taking care of me. It's been hard for her to maintain her job & for us to live here a few months at the same time (while taking care of me)--another way that we have been blessed through this whole tx. journey--we're not rich folks by any means, but God has always provided for us. We miss our church, and family friends, but we do see progress being made. Hope all is well with you, Bob. Still planning to meet you somewhere before the summer is over. I'm still not ready to travel very far yet but P.T. rehab should help me in that regard in a few weeks--been told not to rush things too much. It is a strange feeling about switching gears fm. heart failure to dealing with a new heart--lots to get used to, but we are just rejoicing alot up here in Dallas right now. Boy, going down to the hosp. 5 days a wk. you see alot of people struggling & coping with problems---makes me feel very good and thankful for my own situation right now. It only takes a little bit of that to put things in the proper perspective. Whatever extra time God has given me is a blessing! Someone on this site or another one I read last fall had a byline that stated: "Be kind to everyone you meet because everyone you meet is fighting a battle of somekind." I don't think I'll ever forget that byline. Hope all is well with the Transplant Buddies today
| Went on heart tx. list---11-1-11 @ Baylor Med. Ctr., Dallas. Heart transplanted on 5-9-12. |
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Happy2Bhere
Forum Leader
Username: Happy2bhere
Post Number: 4609
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Friday, June 01, 2012 - 03:03 pm: |
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Hey Gooch,
Thanks for the detailed info about your recent activities, my good friend and yes, we will meet each other later in the future. My sister lives in Ft Worth and that's not too far from Abilene. I am well aware of all of west Texas since I was born and raised right here in the Lone Star State.
You will experience many tests and exams in the first few months post transplant. Good luck to you.
P.S. My cuz'n attended Abilene Christian College back in the late '50s.
Ol' Bob
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Gooch72
Member
Username: Gooch72
Post Number: 38
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Saturday, June 02, 2012 - 12:20 pm: |
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Thanks, Bob; I've got a ways to go for sure.
| Went on heart tx. list---11-1-11 @ Baylor Med. Ctr., Dallas. Heart transplanted on 5-9-12. |
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BraveHeart
Member
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 20
Registered: 05-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - 02:50 pm: |
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Wondering how things are coming along. Please update us as soon as u can
God bless us all always
BraveHeart |
Holly
Member
Username: Holly
Post Number: 605
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - 11:52 am: |
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Darn it Gooch...i didn't know you were in Dallas. I was just there a few weeks ago and would have looked you up. It's always great to meet people that you get to know from here. It's like meeting up with an old friend. Hope you are continuing to do well and improve by the day. It takes work but it's worth it!!!
Take Care
Holly Mulkerin
Medina Ohio
Heart transplant 1/28/09 I have a Happy Heart
Be kind. Remember that everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Harry Thompson
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Happy2Bhere
Forum Leader
Username: Happy2bhere
Post Number: 4652
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - 06:49 pm: |
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C'mon Gooch, please let us know how you're doing. Had you on my mind lately, my friend.
I too wish Holly could have met you there in Dallas. It's always great for Transplantbuddies to meet up face-to-face. I plan to drive 250 miles north to Dal/Worth Airport July 17th to meet for the very first time, one of our Donor Moms Janet Keller and her hubby Dave, whilst they are on a flight layover for a few hours. I hope we can connect with no problems.
Janet and I have corresponded VIA email for over 8yrs and have never met each other. She graciously donated her 14yr old son Joe's organs in 1994, due to his accidental drowning while attempting to save a friend's life.
Ol' Bob
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BraveHeart
Member
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 21
Registered: 05-2010
| | Posted on Monday, June 25, 2012 - 02:10 pm: |
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Has anyone heard from Gooch72.
BraveHeart |
