Alan's Reflections

First of all, I would like to thank you for your prayers and concern for us - Judy and me. Your prayers are especially appreciated because through prayer and God's help anything is possible. Faith, determination, family, and friends are going to be the anchors that pull me through this difficult time. (I am a Navy guy, you know.)

Some of you like to give me a hard time, that is appreciated too! I know you are just doing so because you care. I look forward to many more fun times with each of you. May God bless and keep you.

Signing off with the name my grandchildren call me,
Dude

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Normal is Nice

This week has been the closest to normal we have had since being here. Alan is stronger. We went to clinic and the doctor yesterday and his pulmonary function tests that checks his breathing volume were greatly improved since the fluid has been removed. The doctor and the entire transplant team are very pleased with how well he is doing. He does need to gain some weight, so he is supposed to eat 3000 calories a day. Since the surgery he is diabetic, and that was making it a little tricky for me to know how to cook and get that many calories a day in him. We talked with a dietician yesterday, and she gave us some good sound advice that helped a lot.

He is back at the fitness center everyday. He really enjoys the staff and having the opportunity to talk to other pre and post transplant folks that are there. He is walking really fast, riding the bike, and doing some exercises with weights.

Yesterday we spent some time together. We went to a store in Chapel Hill that we have ordered gift baskets from, and it was amazing. We had lunch at their restaurant. The name of the store is A Southern Season, and if any of you order gift baskets for the holidays, we highly recommend them, www.southernseason.com . It seemed like a small miracle to just browse the store and then have lunch together. I hope we never take these moments for granted. We even went out to dinner after the doctor's appointment. It was a wonderful day, because it held the promise of many more to come.

Thanks again for your prayers. We pray an thank God for all of you. Judy and Alan