Gratitude

My Doctors tell me I am right on schedule for which I am very grateful.  It's been four months since surgery and I have come a long way, even though at times it doesn't seem like it.

 By the way, I have been neglectful in not thanking the amazing doctors and nurses at the "U".  They could not be any better.  They become a second family. Dr. Gomez, in surgery, Dr. Cahill, Dr. Ramon, Kelly, Tauna in Clinic,  Laurie Brewster, Molly, Spence in Clinical Trials,  Merico, Rachelle, Bill in therapy, and the kind and caring nurses who cared for me; always with a smile and a ton of patience. I can't say enough positive things about them all.

I am "graduating" from physical therapy this week eliminating my need to travel to the hospital 3-4 times a week which should simplify my life a little.  I plan on continuing therapy at the Treehouse Gymn in Draper where there are a bunch of great people and friends.  I will miss those at the "U" but you can bet I will keep in touch and always look for ways to help others with the disease and try to help in finding a cure.

I tried to see if I could do a light jog yesterday; couldn't even get two steps in and darn near fell over.  I felt like I was on to short stilts with no lift at all. That's O-K because it will come in time with effort.  I am thankful for what I have so far and the time to improve.  Life is good!

When something like this happens, it is very humbling to see how many friends one has.  Literally it brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.  Thanks for being my friend!

On the Road Again

Just got my driving privileges back again. What freedom and how I missed it. Let me tell you it has been some kind of journey. I little more than I bargained for but in the end grateful to still be around and have so many family and friends around who care -- Means Everything.

This is going to be a year long process so I have to take it with patience. Feeling much better and starting to get some energy back. Went from 160 lbs to 123lbs. Suffice it to say, Do I have a dynamite weight loss program you who want one!

Looking forward to spring and can't wait to see you all. You are the best friends a guy could ever have. I owe you all!

Oz

It's The Little Things

Today my dad called me at work and told me that he was parked just outside my office and wondered if he could drop in.  He had just finished a good pulmonary rehab appointment and was on his way to have lunch with his Uncle Ernie so he couldn't stay long.  He's done this many times over the past couple years since I've worked on campus, but today was different.

Before, after he would leave, I would have to go hide in the restroom for a few minutes until the tears subsided.  I remember feeling so helpless and sad at the thought of loosing him soon if we couldn't get him on the transplant list.  Now, after he left today, I again had to slip into the restroom and have a little cry (as I'm sure one of my sweet co-workers did too since she's been following his story.)  But these tears were happy tears.  There were so many, many days when I would come into work after having just seen my dad or talked with his nurses or docs and just felt to down and discouraged.  But not today.  Today my dad has a little bit of his life back, and slowly but surely he'll get the rest of it back too.  He's gained five pounds in the past two weeks and he looks better every day.  He doesn't carry oxygen around with him anymore like he used to right after he got home because he's so much more confident now.  He still is short of breath a lot of the time and has to take his time on the stairs and such, but he gets stronger every day.  Today he told me he even went downstairs yesterday for the first time in a very long time!  He's doing everything he's supposed to do and is not taking one minute of this "second wind" for granted.  I'm seriously so proud of him and inspired by him.

Last Sunday at dinner he started telling me about a funny video he'd seen on tv and started laughing as he was talking.  I had to stop him in the middle of the story and say "Dad?  How cool is this?  Do you know how long its been since I've heard you be able to just sit here and laugh and talk at the same time with no oxygen?"  He smiled and said "you know what?  You're right.  It feels great!" and then continued on with his funny story.

It's the little things. :)

Music To My Ears

While we were over at mom and dad's yesterday, I was telling dad that Halle and her cousin Camryn want to sing a little song from the Disney movie "Tangled" at my wedding in May.

Mandy Moore – I See the Light (From "Tangled")

I told him that I'd love it if, when he feels up to it, he could start practicing and accompany them on his guitar.  He, of course, wanted to start right away, and I can't tell you how wonderful it was to hear my dad play again. It's probably been three months since he's picked up his guitar, and I'll bet that's the longest he's gone without playing it for almost 50 years. As long as I can hear my dad playing that guitar, I know everything's going to be fine.

Thank you to his donor, the donor's family, his amazing doctors and nurses, all of the sweet people in his ward and all of our neighbors and family friends who have helped both financially and through their service. Thank you for giving that guitar another chance to be played.

Bosom Buddies

I forgot to post this picture I took yesterday when we ran into Diane (the recipient of the donor's other lung) while we were waiting for dad's appt. in Clinic C. They see each other often now at pulmonary rehab and clinical appointments.

Diane seemed to be doing well, but the past couple of days Dads been struggling with really low blood pressure, a significant weight loss (now down to 120 lbs.) and struggling to get into a normal breathing rhythm. Every little thing just leaves him completely winded. His docs think its just his low body weight and his body and mind having to re-learn how to breath normally after so many years living with IPF.

He'll most likely have another broncoscopy next week where they will finally be able to biopsy the new lung. His pharmacist also tweaked some medications a bit, which should help. We'll keep you all posted and appreciate your continued prayers and support.

Look what I found?

I took this video on Christmas Eve and forgot I had it on my phone. It was about 11pm and I had just returned from dad's surgery (I had been there since 7:30am and was just now getting to see my girls and do something Christmasy for Christmas Eve.) They were so worried about their Grandpa and wanted to be with him, and this book did just the trick. It was one of those Hallmark books that we had him record the Christmas before.

48 Hours Without The o2 Cannula!

I just got off the phone with Dad and he sounded great - still winded, but great!  He said it's been almost 48 hours since he's had to use the oxygen cannula - he didn't even take it with him to his pulmonary rehab appt. yesterday!  This is such a huge step for him physically and mentally and I am so, so proud of him.  Last week he gained four pounds (okay, he had shoes on so we'll call it three) and he's been walking every day on the treadmill that Bryan set up for him in their front room.  Everything is still a bit of a struggle for him and leaves him feeling completely wiped out - things like putting on his shoes, reading a book, talking for more than a few minutes, but from what we hear  from the doctors and other patients it's perfectly normal - frustrating, but normal.  As he reminded me today, it's a slow process that's literally going to take about a year before he feels 100% normal again.

As difficult as this whole process has been, it never escapes us how much better off he is now than he was three months ago.  Little things like enjoying family Sunday dinners together at home and sleeping in his own bed have become big, wonderful things.  Today he has hope, and a bright future ahead of him and was finally able to kiss that oxygen cannula goodbye - hopefully forever!