Day 181

Wow!!!!
    Today is six months for my miracle of two new lungs. Everyday gets better. Still some issues, but who doesn't have issues? Hope everyone is remembering to live their lives to the fullest. I know it's tough in this economy and it's easy to forget to stop and be thankful for the important things. To me that would be family and friends. I also know that the demands of life make it seem that we don't have time to talk to friends and family as often as we should. Thank God for electronics. You can text or e-mail a quick message to those important to you. Just let them know that you are thinking about them. I along with many others cannot wait till things get better and we are able to enjoy life to the fullest again.
    This experience has really taught me a lot of lessons. Most important is to be thankful for things and people that I used to take for granted. I cannot express enough the appreciation that I have for the kindness, prayers and well wishes from so many. Even people I haven't seen or talked to in many years. I am truly astounded! Another astonishing thing is the kindness of strangers. It makes you realize that in this world dominated by so many negative sound bites that when you get down to it people are really good and caring. Remember the media is really Shock News. They are trying to get you to tune in, so the worse the news or the more bizarre the story the more they believe that you will tune in. They need viewers or listeners to sell advertising.
       Off my soap box. Energy level is increasing, still no where near where I want it to be. Remember me complaining about the heat? Well, we have had 4 or 5 days of rain with no sunshine. Enough already. Where's the sun? I am putting two pictures of myself on the blog, http://jonriordan.blogspot.com/, they're pretty bad but I wanted to show that I am looking healthier and gaining weight. Oh, and I grew a beard for a short time. I think it's out of boredom. I know nothing will help the looks, but it was fun.
       We are moving at the end of September. It is right around the corner from where we are now. I will give the address at a later date. It will cut our expenses by about $400 per month. You all know every penny counts.
       Hope everyone is doing well. Take care.

Jon - Out

Day 171

       Wow, it's almost 6 months since my gift of new lungs. I'm feeling very good! Had my lung biopsy last Thursday and they called with some results on Friday. No rejection and no infection. They were very pleased with my lung function, it's 80% of predicted. The fungus results won't be known until some time this week. They take a culture and add saline to it and see if it grows, that usually takes 3 days. So, we'll see.
      I'm trying to do as much as I can everyday and I definitely see an increase in stamina and muscle. Trying to exercise everyday. Doing something, swimming, walking or working out with the medicine ball indoors. Exercise is good for everything, weight control, muscle building and lung function.
     I had an interesting person donate via the website for medical expenses. I did a little research to try and find out who this person was. I didn't know them. It appears to be an 8th grade teacher in Michigan who has a disease himself, not a Pulmonary disease, a disease that causes severe tremors. Wow, what a kind person to randomly end up at my blog and then to make a donation. See, there are good people out there.
    I hope everyone is having a great summer. I know I am. I am able to breathe freely!
Love to all.

Day 159

       Greetings. Linda and I were in the pool the other day and I was swimming and going under the water holding my breath, Linda stopped me and reminded me what a miracle I had been given. Six months ago I couldn't walk across the room without gasping for oxygen. What a turn around. Now, I'm not 100%, but I am recovering and I will be better than before the transplant. I am coming up on the six month mark at the end of August and everyday gets better. Hopefully some time in the future I will be able to repay everyone for their generosity, prayers and comfort. For now please accept my heartfelt "Thank You".
       Next Tuesday is my scheduled lung biopsy. Sometimes it's only a few hours, while other times it is an all day event. Fortunately, Linda drives me early in the morning, ( I have to be there at 6am), then when I'm done I call her and she comes from work and picks me up.They use anesthesia, so they won't let me drive. Usually I'm wiped out for the rest of the day. Maybe now that I am getting stronger it will be easier. Oh, and let's hope that the fungus on the new lungs is gone. That would be a good thing.
     Is this the hottest summer everywhere, or what??? Makes one not want to leave the house. Just walking outside starts the sweat rolling. We have had heat index as high as 108. This isn't Arizona so no it's not a dry heat.
      That's it. Try to stay cool. Slow down your busy day and take the time to smell the flowers. You don't know how long you have on this earth. Treasure what is important, Family and Friends.