Sorry no post yesterday, Hubby surprised me with a trip to the beach. Motor home, boys and me all on the road for a day.The beach at Nokomis was beautiful. A sunny 87 degrees and a beautiful Gulf breeze.
My blood sugar has been doing great in my experiment. The first day it was kinda wonky ( a new word of mine) but still in range. As of yesterday it started to level off and stay where I wanted it :80-90 range.
Now I actually feel hungry as the insulin starts lowering the blood sugar. My weight has started to decrease as well... YAY!! I'm able to eat the type of foods I like and keep my blood sugar in range. I'm a healthy eater, love fish, chicken, veggies and fruit so this also helps keep everything ok.
We went out last Friday night for fish and Larry wanted to share a platter. I should have known better. It was a fried platter and I even commented that it had too much batter and not enough seafood. This should have been my first clue. Three hours later my blood sugar reading at bedtime was a whopping 175! This did not sit well with me. I decided there and then that I would take back control.
Along with the diet, I've incorporated more exercise. I now walk more in the morning as well as the evening. Our days are less humid and we're now getting the Gulf trade winds so walking is enjoyable instead of a chore. My lil guy DB loves it too. He's a big concern with the heart problem, so he's getting his heart walks too. This along with writing down my calories/fat content at each meal and a final tally for the day help me understand just where I need to tighten the belt so to speak.
I still have the pain in my left side, hopeful it's fractured ribs and not something more serious and today my right ankle is extremely painful. I've said many times I live with some sort of pain each day, now I guess it'll be a few pains each day. Still walked, still did laundry and cooking. If I'm going to be in pain, I intend to have a darn good reason for it.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Ain't it nifty???
I've actually hit fifty! The big 5-0, book em Dano. Oh No 50!
Yep I made it. Not bad for a southern girl predicted to die before she was 20.
I'd always rationalized an early death to ease the burden on my parents. "If I die old, no one remembers but, if I die young -no one forgets". " Just think I'll never get wrinkles!" Well, now I have to rethink my rationalizations. I discovered that I'm proud of each and ever wrinkle. Each and every grey hair, well I've earned them all. To be honest I've probably caused and earned a few more than I show.
Turning 50 is usually a bench mark for most people. Many stress about "the over the hill" stigma.
HEY, I kinda like the idea that it's a slow downhill slalom from here... Collective word there---slow...
I decided to do like the "normal" folks and take better care of myself starting today. Larry walked the boys, left early and I race walked to catch up. We did a good 2.5 miles and a few extra tenths for good measure. I've had the feeling I was eating to please my insulin injections, so I'm trying to take it a lunch time now instead of in the morning. I seem to have a bad habit of dropping around 11:30. I end up eating even though I'm not really hungry. it's been this way for a few weeks, so I'm doing a little experimenting. Please, don't do this yourself because I am. I've been able to control my blood sugar without insulin for almost 8 years, so this is an old habit of mine. The start of insulin has also produced a few pounds on the scale, which is driving me nuts. I'm not sure how to lose it while on insulin. I'm afraid that if I reduce my portion size it will cause another blood sugar drop. And these I hate. If you've ever had one you know why.
The cold sweat on the back of your neck, shaky hands, etc... Not a great feeling. Plus the shock of seeing you blood sugar readings only make it worse as you try to grab food and stuff it in yout mouth. Remembering to not spike your blood sugar because you'll feel worse trying to get it back in range.
So, this morning instead of taking 15IU at 8:00AM, I'll take it later.
I ate my breakfast: pineapple, orange slices and a raisin bran muffin. I then set out on a brisk 2.5 mile walk, met up with Larry and my boys and continued on. After getting home I watered plants, (gotta keep those grape tomatoes going) then on to grocery shopping.
I used to take NPH insulin around lunch time because it caused to drastic a drop in the mornings for me, so this is my game plan again. At lunchtime 12noon my blood sugar was 100. I took 12IU of Levemir and went to lunch. I split a tuna sub with Larry so we'll see how it goes.
I also have an appointment with my endocrinologist next week so this is a good week to start my game plan. Probably a bad day as i have no idea what Larry, Debbie, & Larry (her Larry) have planed for tonight.
More tomorrow on how my theory is working.
Have a great day, I am and will... Stay safe....
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE AS LONG AS WE ARE ALIVE AND ABLE TO BE WITH FRIENDWS AND FAMILY.
Yep I made it. Not bad for a southern girl predicted to die before she was 20.
I'd always rationalized an early death to ease the burden on my parents. "If I die old, no one remembers but, if I die young -no one forgets". " Just think I'll never get wrinkles!" Well, now I have to rethink my rationalizations. I discovered that I'm proud of each and ever wrinkle. Each and every grey hair, well I've earned them all. To be honest I've probably caused and earned a few more than I show.
Turning 50 is usually a bench mark for most people. Many stress about "the over the hill" stigma.
HEY, I kinda like the idea that it's a slow downhill slalom from here... Collective word there---slow...
I decided to do like the "normal" folks and take better care of myself starting today. Larry walked the boys, left early and I race walked to catch up. We did a good 2.5 miles and a few extra tenths for good measure. I've had the feeling I was eating to please my insulin injections, so I'm trying to take it a lunch time now instead of in the morning. I seem to have a bad habit of dropping around 11:30. I end up eating even though I'm not really hungry. it's been this way for a few weeks, so I'm doing a little experimenting. Please, don't do this yourself because I am. I've been able to control my blood sugar without insulin for almost 8 years, so this is an old habit of mine. The start of insulin has also produced a few pounds on the scale, which is driving me nuts. I'm not sure how to lose it while on insulin. I'm afraid that if I reduce my portion size it will cause another blood sugar drop. And these I hate. If you've ever had one you know why.
The cold sweat on the back of your neck, shaky hands, etc... Not a great feeling. Plus the shock of seeing you blood sugar readings only make it worse as you try to grab food and stuff it in yout mouth. Remembering to not spike your blood sugar because you'll feel worse trying to get it back in range.
So, this morning instead of taking 15IU at 8:00AM, I'll take it later.
I ate my breakfast: pineapple, orange slices and a raisin bran muffin. I then set out on a brisk 2.5 mile walk, met up with Larry and my boys and continued on. After getting home I watered plants, (gotta keep those grape tomatoes going) then on to grocery shopping.
I used to take NPH insulin around lunch time because it caused to drastic a drop in the mornings for me, so this is my game plan again. At lunchtime 12noon my blood sugar was 100. I took 12IU of Levemir and went to lunch. I split a tuna sub with Larry so we'll see how it goes.
I also have an appointment with my endocrinologist next week so this is a good week to start my game plan. Probably a bad day as i have no idea what Larry, Debbie, & Larry (her Larry) have planed for tonight.
More tomorrow on how my theory is working.
Have a great day, I am and will... Stay safe....
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE AS LONG AS WE ARE ALIVE AND ABLE TO BE WITH FRIENDWS AND FAMILY.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Surprises our spouses do.
I got a phone call at 7:30AM Wednesday morning from Eric of the Herald Tribune.
My wonderful husband called and told them my story and how I'd be celebrating a half century on Sunday.
We set up an interivew time of 10:00. OMG!!! I taught class Tuesday night , the house was a wreck, and I was just making breakfast.
I finished breakfast, did dishes, swept and mopped floors, showered, and walked the boys. I was just walking from the back yard when he arrived at 10:00. Talk about a whirlwind.
This is one of the best weekends of my life. Friday I celebrate 18 years with the first lung transplant and Sunday I flash forward to the big 5-0..
Yes I'm damned proud of each and every grey hair and wrinkle. I've earned them many times over!
Below is the article from the Trib..
Have a great day
Ernst: One living reason to donate your organs
By Eric Ernst
Published: Friday, October 23, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 6:26 p.m.
When she was 18 and undergoing a Navy physical, Bette Luksha-Gammell got the shock of her life.
"You'll never have children, and I'm surprised you're still walking," a doctor said. He later told her parents she probably wouldn't live past 20.
Unknown to her, Gammell had pulmonary hypertension, and her lungs and parts of her heart were three times normal size.
Following that news, a gradual decline left Gammell hooked to an oxygen tank for too much of her days.
Eighteen years ago, doctors transplanted two lungs into Gammell and sewed up a hole in her heart. In 2000, after her body rejected those organs, she received a single lung transplant in 2002. Then, about four years ago, she received a transplanted kidney after hers was damaged by the medicines she took for her lungs.
She now lives in North Port with her husband, Larry. On Sunday, she'll celebrate her 50th birthday.
Gammell may have lived a life of struggle and pain, but she doesn't ask, "Why me?"
"Never question God," she says. "You might not like the answer."
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Gammell adjusted her goals and went to work for Disney cruise lines and as a baggage handler (no kidding) for Continental Airlines.
"I'm one of those people, I have to be doing something. I can't sit at home and collect a check every month," she says. "I'd love to be back at work, but I know the risk I take."
Gammell settles for teaching a wire jewelry class at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County.
She's also an advocate and ambassador for organ transplants. At Disney, she started a support group called Second Chance. She records her daily struggles at www.survivinganorgantransplant.blogspot.com. She writes letters with suggestions for Medicare reform.
And she has traveled across the country to talk with potential recipients filled with doubts, fears and conflicting emotions.
At 9 p.m. Sundays, she watches a new CBS television series, "Three Rivers," which follows the lives of organ donors, recipients and surgeons at a fictitious hospital in Pittsburgh.
Gammell calls the show the first national platform for organ donations.
"It certainly starts a conversation," says Jennifer Krause, public affairs manager for LifeLink Foundation.
The foundation, which arranges organ donations from Tampa Bay through Fort Myers, reported 584 transplants in its coverage area last year. Another 437 donors provided tissue for such uses as bone grafts and heart valves.
Gammell sees donors as the real heroes. "I try to do something, each day, to honor donor families," she says. "At the most grief-filled time of their lives, they gave up someone they loved to give life to someone that someone else loves."
To recipients and donors, she offers, by her own example, a simple creed: "You have all these issues, but you have to stay positive. Being positive keeps you alive, whether you've had a transplant or you're healthy."
To become an organ donor, register online at www.donatelifeflorida.org.
Eric Ernst's column runs Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Contact him at eric.ernst@heraldtribune
.com or (941) 486-3073.
My wonderful husband called and told them my story and how I'd be celebrating a half century on Sunday.
We set up an interivew time of 10:00. OMG!!! I taught class Tuesday night , the house was a wreck, and I was just making breakfast.
I finished breakfast, did dishes, swept and mopped floors, showered, and walked the boys. I was just walking from the back yard when he arrived at 10:00. Talk about a whirlwind.
This is one of the best weekends of my life. Friday I celebrate 18 years with the first lung transplant and Sunday I flash forward to the big 5-0..
Yes I'm damned proud of each and every grey hair and wrinkle. I've earned them many times over!
Below is the article from the Trib..
Have a great day
Ernst: One living reason to donate your organs
By Eric Ernst
Published: Friday, October 23, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 6:26 p.m.
When she was 18 and undergoing a Navy physical, Bette Luksha-Gammell got the shock of her life.
"You'll never have children, and I'm surprised you're still walking," a doctor said. He later told her parents she probably wouldn't live past 20.
Unknown to her, Gammell had pulmonary hypertension, and her lungs and parts of her heart were three times normal size.
Following that news, a gradual decline left Gammell hooked to an oxygen tank for too much of her days.
Eighteen years ago, doctors transplanted two lungs into Gammell and sewed up a hole in her heart. In 2000, after her body rejected those organs, she received a single lung transplant in 2002. Then, about four years ago, she received a transplanted kidney after hers was damaged by the medicines she took for her lungs.
She now lives in North Port with her husband, Larry. On Sunday, she'll celebrate her 50th birthday.
Gammell may have lived a life of struggle and pain, but she doesn't ask, "Why me?"
"Never question God," she says. "You might not like the answer."
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Gammell adjusted her goals and went to work for Disney cruise lines and as a baggage handler (no kidding) for Continental Airlines.
"I'm one of those people, I have to be doing something. I can't sit at home and collect a check every month," she says. "I'd love to be back at work, but I know the risk I take."
Gammell settles for teaching a wire jewelry class at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County.
She's also an advocate and ambassador for organ transplants. At Disney, she started a support group called Second Chance. She records her daily struggles at www.survivinganorgantransplant.blogspot.com. She writes letters with suggestions for Medicare reform.
And she has traveled across the country to talk with potential recipients filled with doubts, fears and conflicting emotions.
At 9 p.m. Sundays, she watches a new CBS television series, "Three Rivers," which follows the lives of organ donors, recipients and surgeons at a fictitious hospital in Pittsburgh.
Gammell calls the show the first national platform for organ donations.
"It certainly starts a conversation," says Jennifer Krause, public affairs manager for LifeLink Foundation.
The foundation, which arranges organ donations from Tampa Bay through Fort Myers, reported 584 transplants in its coverage area last year. Another 437 donors provided tissue for such uses as bone grafts and heart valves.
Gammell sees donors as the real heroes. "I try to do something, each day, to honor donor families," she says. "At the most grief-filled time of their lives, they gave up someone they loved to give life to someone that someone else loves."
To recipients and donors, she offers, by her own example, a simple creed: "You have all these issues, but you have to stay positive. Being positive keeps you alive, whether you've had a transplant or you're healthy."
To become an organ donor, register online at www.donatelifeflorida.org.
Eric Ernst's column runs Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Contact him at eric.ernst@heraldtribune
.com or (941) 486-3073.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Daily obstacles
After Saturdays heart rate issues, I felt drained on Sunday. My heart rate was at 75 in the morning-not what I wanted or where it should be.But I'll take it. I took another pill as I as told to do and kept busy so my blood pressure would stay in a normal range.
I left for my morning walk feeling kinda blue funky. I hadn't realized that during the night a major cold front (yes in s. Florida) had moved in. It was rather chilly in shorts and a t-shirt!
I left for my morning walk feeling kinda blue funky. I hadn't realized that during the night a major cold front (yes in s. Florida) had moved in. It was rather chilly in shorts and a t-shirt!
Me & the boys walked faster! Poor lil Deebs with his bad heart was doing great with the drop in humidity and cooler weather. Glad he was. I started sneezing, coughing and thought"great all I need now". I now knew why I was feeling so funky.
When we finally got home, I decided it was time to take it easy and get over this fast. I've always been a firm believer that if I'm going to pay for advice and a physician I'm going to do what they say. Why pay out precious money if I'm not gonna follow through. After all a doctor can only take my health so far, the rest is up to me. WooHoo bon-bons, the couch, a good movie, and my boys! Well, skip the bon bons-I'm diabetic and hate taking insulin.
By Sunday evening, my heart rate was back to normal. Now the dilemma. Do I call Melissa (my coordinator) and tell her about the sneezing & coughing or see what transpires? Monday morning and I was feeling great, like my old self (as good as that can be). I decided to let it ride since I was no longer coughing and sneezing and my spirometry looked good too.
In case you're wondering, spirometry is a lung function test we recipients perform at home. It allows us to keep watch on our numbers and can help signal possible rejection (acute not chronic) in time to stop it. Spirometry can be uplifting or depressing. While in chronic rejection and waiting for my 2nd lung transplant watching the numbers steadily drop was such an emotional upheaval. The doctor finally told me to stop the spirometry-we knew what was happening and it was worse for me to see that I was actually dying than to know it mentally. At that point the adage "reality sucks" was true.
Monday also brought about major comcast issues with the internet adding this to a slow pc and I didn't accomplish much online. Even my 3 online stores suffered from lack of attention.
The PC is slow and the laptop wasn't charging...lovely day of obstacles. But, that's changed for a little --YYYYaaaayyyyyy. For some unknown reason the laptop decided to start charging, just as I was going to buy a new battery.. Thank You God!!!! You seem to take me to the brink and then just when I make a decision you show me a different route to take.
Well, feeling better today (Tuesday) I'm hitting the treadmill. Wearing my Dash for Donation 5K t-shirt from the 2006 US Transplant Games for encouragement I'm psyched. Then on to the drudgery of laundry, floors, dishes (already did those once today) and eventually relaxing with my boys (all 4 of them).
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Butterflies, Blocks and A Heart
The title may not make much sense, but it's how I've come to rationalize last night.
In 2006 I had Ablation therapy on my heart due to the inability of medication to control a rapid heart rate. Everything has been awesome! until last night.... For the last 3 years my heart rate has been in the low 50 range, something I never thought I'd see or experience.
About 9:30P.M. as I got out of my recliner to get ready for bed, I felt a bit of nauseau on standing up, followed by a cool sweat. My insulin sometimes makes me feel this way when it starts to work, sort of wheels churning in my abdomen. I checked my blood sugar and it was a nice 103 so this was not the problem, and it still continued.
I checked my blood pressure and heart rate.. my eyes popped out of my head! Heart rate of 120! No, this can't be ..So I checked it again, and again in another 15 minutes. It got to 100 beats per minute, but still not where it should be. I've always had the nagging fear that the Ablation could reverse itself and prayed I wouldn't be one of those unlucky ones. But I must say, this really set my mind reeling... We all know that when things like this happen we're told to keep calm and let it drop naturally. BUT HOW DO YOU STAY CALM WHEN YOU'RE WORRIED? I took one of my PRN tablets for heart rate and waited for a result. My PRN medication is 2 years old and this is the first time I've had to take it.
After 30 minutes, no results... I had to do the one thing I dread. Call my lung transplant coordinator on a Friday night and wake her and her kids up. I placed the call, she and my doctor both said since it was steady and not erratic just try and get some sleep, but take another pill in the morning to keep it low and correct the problem. Please tell me how to get sleep when it feels like a concrete block is on my chest and a thousand butterflies are fluttering around inside looking for a way out? After awhile it felt like those butterflies hired a few thugs who were using bats and clubs (anything available) and trying to beat their way out!. Ever have one of those headaches where you feel the pound each and every time your heart beats? That's the beating those thugs were giving me. Only at 116 beats a minute! Darn little buggers! One might think I was charging them rent or something, they way they were going at me!
I went from the recliner to the couch, to the recliner. Each and every time with 3 little 4-legged boys following me. I was seriously tired. (I thought dead tired or dog tired took it to far) Not enough sleep or rest makes for a terrible day to follow, especially for the chronically ill. Finally about 3AM the pounding stopped, guess the thugs came to an agreement with my chest. Anyway it was calm enough for me to try the bed again, not slower but calmer.
I dozed in and out of sleep until 6:30, no deep restful sleep tonight. Back in the recliner for my morning date withe the boys, take the blood pressure, read a little of my book. My heart rate was 75. WHEW..... I can't begin to explain the relief. Now to get it back to where it should be, and prevent the nightmare journey of 3 years ago when I walked into the Emergency room at Shands with a heart rate of 196.
One good thing about all this..... It made me forget about the pain in my left side. Possible fractured ribs from coughing... well at least until this morning when all was calm and it returned..
Now for hte morning walk and keep my heart as healthy as I possibly can.
In 2006 I had Ablation therapy on my heart due to the inability of medication to control a rapid heart rate. Everything has been awesome! until last night.... For the last 3 years my heart rate has been in the low 50 range, something I never thought I'd see or experience.
About 9:30P.M. as I got out of my recliner to get ready for bed, I felt a bit of nauseau on standing up, followed by a cool sweat. My insulin sometimes makes me feel this way when it starts to work, sort of wheels churning in my abdomen. I checked my blood sugar and it was a nice 103 so this was not the problem, and it still continued.
I checked my blood pressure and heart rate.. my eyes popped out of my head! Heart rate of 120! No, this can't be ..So I checked it again, and again in another 15 minutes. It got to 100 beats per minute, but still not where it should be. I've always had the nagging fear that the Ablation could reverse itself and prayed I wouldn't be one of those unlucky ones. But I must say, this really set my mind reeling... We all know that when things like this happen we're told to keep calm and let it drop naturally. BUT HOW DO YOU STAY CALM WHEN YOU'RE WORRIED? I took one of my PRN tablets for heart rate and waited for a result. My PRN medication is 2 years old and this is the first time I've had to take it.
After 30 minutes, no results... I had to do the one thing I dread. Call my lung transplant coordinator on a Friday night and wake her and her kids up. I placed the call, she and my doctor both said since it was steady and not erratic just try and get some sleep, but take another pill in the morning to keep it low and correct the problem. Please tell me how to get sleep when it feels like a concrete block is on my chest and a thousand butterflies are fluttering around inside looking for a way out? After awhile it felt like those butterflies hired a few thugs who were using bats and clubs (anything available) and trying to beat their way out!. Ever have one of those headaches where you feel the pound each and every time your heart beats? That's the beating those thugs were giving me. Only at 116 beats a minute! Darn little buggers! One might think I was charging them rent or something, they way they were going at me!
I went from the recliner to the couch, to the recliner. Each and every time with 3 little 4-legged boys following me. I was seriously tired. (I thought dead tired or dog tired took it to far) Not enough sleep or rest makes for a terrible day to follow, especially for the chronically ill. Finally about 3AM the pounding stopped, guess the thugs came to an agreement with my chest. Anyway it was calm enough for me to try the bed again, not slower but calmer.
I dozed in and out of sleep until 6:30, no deep restful sleep tonight. Back in the recliner for my morning date withe the boys, take the blood pressure, read a little of my book. My heart rate was 75. WHEW..... I can't begin to explain the relief. Now to get it back to where it should be, and prevent the nightmare journey of 3 years ago when I walked into the Emergency room at Shands with a heart rate of 196.
One good thing about all this..... It made me forget about the pain in my left side. Possible fractured ribs from coughing... well at least until this morning when all was calm and it returned..
Now for hte morning walk and keep my heart as healthy as I possibly can.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Beliefs
I Believe...
A Birth Certificate shows we were born.
A Birth Certificate shows we were born.
A Death Certificate shows we died.
Pictures show we lived!
Have a seat...Relax. ..And read this slowly..
I Believe...
Just because two people argue,
Doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
Doesn't mean they do love each other.
I Believe...
We don't have to change friends if We understand friends change.
I Believe...
No matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once
in a while, and you must forgive them for that..
in a while, and you must forgive them for that..
I Believe....
True friendship continues to grow, even overThe longest distance.
Same goes for true love.
I Believe....
You can do something in an instant That will give you heartache for life.
I Believe...
It's taking me a long timeTo become the person I want to be.
I Believe...
You should always leave loved ones with
Loving words.
Loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe..
You can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe....
We are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe...
Either you control your attitude or it controls you..
I Believe...
Heroes are the people who do what has to be done,When it needs to be done, regardless of consequences.
I Believe...
Money is a lousy way of keeping score..
I Believe...
My best friend and I can do anything or nothing,And have the best time.
I Believe...
Sometimes the people you expect to kick youWhen you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe...
Sometimes when I'm angry, I have the right to be angry,But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I Believe...
Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them, and less to doWith how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe...
It isn't always enough to be forgiven by others;
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe...
No matter how bad your heart is broken,The world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe....
Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,But we are responsible for whom we become.
I Believe...
You shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret.
It could change your life forever.
I Believe....
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something
totally different.
totally different.
I Believe...
Your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe...
Even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you--
you will find the strength to help.
I Believe....
Credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe...
The people you care about most in life are taken from
you too soon.
you too soon.
I Believe...
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best
of everything;They just make the most of anything.
of everything;They just make the most of anything.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Three Rivers Impact
A good friend of mine forwarded a newspaper article to me a few days ago. The article was a journalist making a brave attempt at tearing down the new CBS show "Three Rivers".
In her article she states that she thought the Dr's in the show looked overworked and constantly on the run, so she decided to ask a few friends of hers if this were true. She actually asked 2 yeah ONLY 2 friends in the transplant field. So this makes her an expert on the importance of promoting organ donation? Much less gives her the authority to criticize a much needed series, that shows what these medical professionals really do to save lives? Oh yeah, and what about those of us who've lived through it? Are dying as I write this hoping for a life saving transplant!
I have steamed over this article for the last 2 days, and wanted to post a link here for you to read. However, if I do post a link it only gives her more readership and credibility, and I apologize that I refuse to do.
If you've had a transplant or are waiting you know first hand how hard our teams work for us. I've witnessed it 3 times now.
I remember waking up in ICU after my first bi-lateral lung transplant in Pittsburgh. It seemed that everyday my surgeon was wheeling in another patient fresh from a transplant. My first words to him after I was extubated(removed from the dreaded respirator) were, "I thank God I was your first in all this". Yes he looked exhausted, yes he needed a shave, but his exhaustion was one of reward. He saved lives.
My 2nd lung transplant, I remember asking Dr. Baz (Shands Gainesville, FL) to please take a day off! The day he came to see me in jeans and a pullover sweater, I knew it was his day off and told him to get out and relax!
These teams take people like me, dying, oxygen sats of 48%. blue fingers, blue circles under my eyes, and make us whole again. I was given a life I never dreamed could happen to me, thanks to my overworked (yes they are), under appreciated, surgeon, physician, coordinator, and nurses on the transplant team. And you know the best part?
THEY STILL CONTINUE TO DO IT!
This journalist, instead of dissing a new show could have made a higher impact by promoting the "message" of the show. Organ transplantation/donation does not have the platform of Breast cancer awareness, diabetes, heart disease. I'm not trying to demean these in anyway. Thank goodness they do have a platform, however we 2-nd timers would like a platform too, to save those waiting.
Only by promoting the meaning of Three Rivers can the message get out and help ease pain and grieving for donor families (they are finally honored for the heroes they are), and those waiting (we can give them hope to keep going), and us recipients (it's up to us to carry that torch to make sure the candidates get that chance too). Too many shows put little tidbits in a story line about transplantation with no follow through. What happens to the recipient later? What about the struggles to pay for meds? And heaven forbid, what if they get sick! How to afford that with our wonderful Medicare system, or private insurance?
Plus, the pitfalls of going back to work. That's a story in itself.
Here we have a show with follow through...... It's about us, for us, and we can relate to it. No tidbits, just solid promotion.
If she had checked further this journalist would have found a wonderful story to tell. How CBS partnered with DonateLife Hollywood to make the stories as real as possible (we know there has to be drama). Also how Alex O'Loughlin became a DonateLife spokesperson because the cause is so great. This is the line she should have taken. Then she would have made a great journalist, not just mediocre.
My reply to my friend Merv (he has a transplant blog too, check him out) MervSheppard.blogspot.com, "And she thinks she's an expert on transplantation? I'm still spreading the word to watch the show, give it great ratings and keep it on the air! We'll show her!"
In her article she states that she thought the Dr's in the show looked overworked and constantly on the run, so she decided to ask a few friends of hers if this were true. She actually asked 2 yeah ONLY 2 friends in the transplant field. So this makes her an expert on the importance of promoting organ donation? Much less gives her the authority to criticize a much needed series, that shows what these medical professionals really do to save lives? Oh yeah, and what about those of us who've lived through it? Are dying as I write this hoping for a life saving transplant!
I have steamed over this article for the last 2 days, and wanted to post a link here for you to read. However, if I do post a link it only gives her more readership and credibility, and I apologize that I refuse to do.
If you've had a transplant or are waiting you know first hand how hard our teams work for us. I've witnessed it 3 times now.
I remember waking up in ICU after my first bi-lateral lung transplant in Pittsburgh. It seemed that everyday my surgeon was wheeling in another patient fresh from a transplant. My first words to him after I was extubated(removed from the dreaded respirator) were, "I thank God I was your first in all this". Yes he looked exhausted, yes he needed a shave, but his exhaustion was one of reward. He saved lives.
My 2nd lung transplant, I remember asking Dr. Baz (Shands Gainesville, FL) to please take a day off! The day he came to see me in jeans and a pullover sweater, I knew it was his day off and told him to get out and relax!
These teams take people like me, dying, oxygen sats of 48%. blue fingers, blue circles under my eyes, and make us whole again. I was given a life I never dreamed could happen to me, thanks to my overworked (yes they are), under appreciated, surgeon, physician, coordinator, and nurses on the transplant team. And you know the best part?
THEY STILL CONTINUE TO DO IT!
This journalist, instead of dissing a new show could have made a higher impact by promoting the "message" of the show. Organ transplantation/donation does not have the platform of Breast cancer awareness, diabetes, heart disease. I'm not trying to demean these in anyway. Thank goodness they do have a platform, however we 2-nd timers would like a platform too, to save those waiting.
Only by promoting the meaning of Three Rivers can the message get out and help ease pain and grieving for donor families (they are finally honored for the heroes they are), and those waiting (we can give them hope to keep going), and us recipients (it's up to us to carry that torch to make sure the candidates get that chance too). Too many shows put little tidbits in a story line about transplantation with no follow through. What happens to the recipient later? What about the struggles to pay for meds? And heaven forbid, what if they get sick! How to afford that with our wonderful Medicare system, or private insurance?
Plus, the pitfalls of going back to work. That's a story in itself.
Here we have a show with follow through...... It's about us, for us, and we can relate to it. No tidbits, just solid promotion.
If she had checked further this journalist would have found a wonderful story to tell. How CBS partnered with DonateLife Hollywood to make the stories as real as possible (we know there has to be drama). Also how Alex O'Loughlin became a DonateLife spokesperson because the cause is so great. This is the line she should have taken. Then she would have made a great journalist, not just mediocre.
My reply to my friend Merv (he has a transplant blog too, check him out) MervSheppard.blogspot.com, "And she thinks she's an expert on transplantation? I'm still spreading the word to watch the show, give it great ratings and keep it on the air! We'll show her!"
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