A new adventure is beginning...

Aloha Dear Family, Friends, Followers and unsuspecting Visitors!

It was said once, long ago by someone much wiser than I, "TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!"  Hard to argue with logic like that, and fortunately for all of us, it's true.  For me in particular this has a great deal of meaning.  Most of you will recall that roughly 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with throat cancer - which I successfully appear to have beaten!  (This is my Blog at that time:  Ron Wall's Blog Spot, you'll have to go back to 2008 for the beginning of that story.)

Well, now it seems that I've been diagnosed with a little malady known as PULMONARY FIBROSIS.There is virtually no treatment and the condition is progressive.  OK, so not the best way to start the day...  But of course there's more to it than that, and as long as I "don't do anything," I'm just fine.  Well, not really - but that's what this BLOG will be all about.  First, to bring you up to date and explain how I got this far, and then, for those of you interested, to join me on the long and winding road, up to and possibly including a full Lung transplant.

Interested?  OK, here's the ground rules - the most important thing to me is I don't want to have to revisit or talk about this again, and again, and again...  Once is enough, that's what the Blog is all about.  I know many of you care, and of course there are some who could care less, all of which is fine, I'm just not interested in a pity party, nor am I seeking any sympathy.  It is what it is...  Moral support and understanding would be good, but more than that, hey, it's just life.  I've had a good one, and I'm OK with this, my Kidz and Family know this and really, when all is said and done, I just want EVERYONE to be Happy, and if at all possible, to just get along. 

So, I am going to tell the tale, and share my "adventure" here, for anyone so inclined.  I'll begin at the beginning, bring you up to date, and then chronicle things along the way.

This is a copy of the initial letter I sent out, informing Friends and Family of the situation prompting the starting of this Blog. 

Dear Family & Friends!

Well Folks, I’ve got GOOD news and BAD news…  and wanted to share both with you first, before I “go public” with it all.  Much like when I discovered I had throat Cancer back in 2009 – my decision to let “everyone” know was not to seek sympathy or have a pity party, but to make everyone aware, to the extent they cared, and not to have to deal with explaining things time and time again.  My feelings in this regard have not changed, thus I’m sharing this with you now.

The “good news” is that I’m 5+ years Cancer free, with no indication of it returning, and I’m told that’s like I shouldn’t have to worry about that at all - ever.  Yeah!!!  Now, the “bad news”… I was diagnosed at the end of March with PULMONARY FIBROSIS.  Not yeah.  In plain English that means scarring of the lungs, which in turn makes it very difficult to oxygenate the blood, which makes it quite difficult to breath with any exertion whatsoever.

        I was originally told there was no treatment and no cure.  I’ve been on supplemental oxygen since the beginning of April and have had an extensive and thorough number of tests:  Blood, x-ray, CAT scan, abdominal Ultra-sound, lung orthoscopic biopsy, and several rather complex breathing tests.

        My Kidz know, and now you know, and that’s about all that I know.  I will be setting up a new BLOG to include specifics, more details and to share the journey for anyone interested. Anyone not interested, just stop reading here and poof – you’re done.  So, save the cards &

letters, hearts & flowers… it is what it is.  Life goes on, for now, and so shall we.

        One interesting (and unexpected side note) – turns out there is one cure, a simple LUNG TRANSPLANT.  The unexpected part is that I was informed a month ago that I MIGHT be a pretty good candidate, and after another month of more tests, interviews with Social Services, the Financial Counselor and a Psychiatrist, and finally the Department head of the Lung Transfer Unit at the University of California – San Francisco and have been accepted into the program for POSSIBLE consideration.  What that means is now more tests, finding the suitable care-givers and making the commitment.  So, we shall see.

        As I’d mentioned, for anyone interested in more information or to follow along on this new “journey” here’s the address for the Blog:  http://mylifeafterbreath.blogspot.com/ There’s nothing there at the moment, but I expect to have something within a day or two of your receiving this.  Actually, now that I think about it, I think maybe this letter will serve as the first Post, seems as good a way to start as any.

        Remember, there’s not anything I need or want, well, maybe your prayers and good wishes, but that’s all.  There are a couple of “things” that I’ll need down the road, but I’ll cover that on the Blog.  So, “We’re good – Right?”  Great.  And Thanks.  For those of you who are Family – well, Family needs to know these things.  For those of you who are Friends, if you’re getting this, know that I think of you as Family, and that’s why you’re included.

        Just know – I LOVE YOU ALL and cherish our relationship, and my undying wish for everyone is, “Can’t we all just get along?”

        MAHALO & ALOHA ALWAYS,  Ronald L. Wall

 
And of course it wouldn't be complete without the Tag line from the bottom of my Letterhead:

Learn from the Past  Live in the Present  Plan for the Future