Post #8

Oh GOOD GRIEF!  I've been slacking again.  My apologies.  When I began this saga, it was my intention to try and bring everyone up to date in short order, then to post from time to time as things were relevant or possibly interesting.  Well Friends, I've obviously failed at that.  So, out of respect to you, my followers, let me try and rectify that forth with.

CURRENT SITUATION.  First of all, my present condition is pretty much the same as it's been, For the most part, I AM TOTALLY FINE.  I have settled to the point where if I do just about anything requiring exertion, I must be on Oxygen.  That breaks down to about 20~22 hours p/day.  I can say it's become rather routine for me to carry the Oxygen with me, so I guess that's some improvement.

I completed the last of my tests last week, with a trip to Oahu for a Colonoscopy.  I'm quite pleased to say that went extremely well.  The staff at Moanaloa was terrific making the whole process rather tolerable.  Anne was her usual helpful travel companion and the results were 100% good news, and they don't want to see me for another 5 years!  Hooray.

With no more tests pending I'm now in the WAITING stage... and there's nothing much to do.  I am still having some issues with swallowing and am continuing with the Omeprazole (Prilosec) therapy and restricted diet, but to tell the truth, I don't really see that accomplishing much.  My scheduled follow-up with Dr. Scott Newman is November 25th, and we'll see then. Hopefully with a Plan B.

The only other "hitch in my get-along" is resolving a Drug & Alcohol Dependency counseling process they seem to feel I need.  Long story short, evidently when it comes to Transplants if a person even drinks as little as one glass of wine a month, they now require this...  The hitch seems to be having the people in Hawaii knowing just what the people in California actually want, so I can get on with it...  Stop smoking cigarettes & pot in 2008, cold turkey.  Stopped drinking alcohol August 12th, cold turkey.  Have since had to stop onions, tomatoes, citrus, chocolate AND COFFEE - all cold turkey, yet I still have to prove I don't have dependency issues... Oh Brother!

I'm trying not to get too lazy, and force myself to get up and out...  oh, and eat!  Need to keep those calories coming, which is tough with the dry mouth issues, irritable throat problem and just pretty
much loss of appetite.  thank goodness for Ensure.  I'll cover this a bit more down the road.


There you have it... that's the current report... next post, we'll pick up where I left off and finish the "catch-up" of all the tests and fun I haven't covered yet.  In the mean time - THANK YOU ALL for your continued support, good wishes, and just even caring about this old Fart.  I love each and everyone of you, and encourage you the stay active, think positive, and do good.  RLW

“With an undefended heart, we can fall in love with life over and over every day. We can become children of wonder, grateful to be walking on earth, grateful to belong with each other and to all of creation. We can find our true refuge in every moment, in every breath.” - Tara Brach