Summer, Wedding, Rushing and Life

 As many know we've spent the last five summers in Maine. We camp at Shore Hills Campground in Booth Bay. A quaint little town with peaceful tourism and a wonderful atmosphere.  It took Larry years to convince me to go, now he has to convince me to leave. Granted the first snowfall or cold day and the lovely state will see my backside as I high tail it out of there.

You may scoff and say that being in a motor home isn't camping. BUT, for many who have to be careful of the elements and staying away from dirt, it's how we get to feel close to normal. You can have the hard dirt and sleeping bags, I'll take my way anyday !

Our days consist of walking Nelson along Barrrett's Park, where the rugged New England coastline is restorative to the soul.  Walking the campground, where Nelson loves seeing Mr. Neal. Mr. Neal rides around on his golfcart giving treats to all the dogs (think ice cream truck when you were a kid) or walking the harbor. The humidity is low, the weather and temperature are great for summer and I can walk and breathe ! I enjoy the scenic harbor walks and taking photos for my creations too !

   

Maine is also known for it's seafood. We absolutely gorge on it while there. We go local and support our local lobstermen as often as possible, Or visit Trevett's Country Store for our favorite Haddock basket. They sure know how to feed ya up theah.

     

We left early this year my Sweet Girl Gracie married the man of her dreams October 2nd in Knoxville. I wasn't able to attend, Covid and all that jazz but she knows how much I love her and wish I could. Grandpa Larry was beaming like a peacock the entire stay there. 

It was at this time that my Mom got sick. A mini stroke that she couldn't recover from. She stayed with my sister Fran and her husband Bill for two weeks and they showered her with all the love and TLC they had and some stored up I'm sure. You see, our Momma means the universe to us. She's a spry, fiesty 92 year old . I had to get back to Gainesville for an appointment with a colo-rectal surgeon which had been on the books for months. It was the earliest they had from May and it was to discuss possible surgery... Yep... Mycophenolate can cause us a few issues down the road. Not being able to visit Mom at the Rehab (Covid and all that again) we headed home after my appointment. All this weighing heavy on me. I knew in my heart, Mom understood if anyone would. Maybe my siblings didn't, but Mom did without me saying it. She and I had a closeness that few would understand.

October 23rd came and I celebrated 30 years with my first lung transplant. Imagine half my life thanks to an unselfish donor and family.  WOW ! The life I've had, enjoyed, the obstacles, it's mind boggling. 

I chose to change to a new lung transplant center over the summer and my first appointment was October 22nd. A Chest CT showed possible lymphatic nodules in my left lung, so a bronch was scheduled for Nov 2nd. 

It was during this time, my mother declined even more. We had intentions of rushing to her after my bronch, but she went to be with my Daddy the night before. I didn't have the best feelings mentally going into my bronch I admit. They raised me and reinforced that I had to be strong and stay positive, so I went to the hospital. Larry and Nelson waited outside for me.  When I woke up it turned into an admission.

And here I sit..... Day 12? 13? still receiving antibiotics for a variety of infections in my right lung. I missed my Momn's funeral (another story). I know she, daddy and God are watching down guiding me and Larry through this.  Plus there is Dr. Griess who has restored my Faith in the medical establishment.  My right lung may be removed at a later date. Something I begged for, for 10 or more years.

Oh ! and tomorrow.. Well, tomorrow I celebrate 19 years with my second lung transplant !  What a day it will be ! 

Remember .... Life is all about Balance. Don't allow the negative to consume you. Obstacles are a part of life as much as the joys.

Beliefs

I Believe...

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..

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.

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.

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.

I Believe...

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best
of everything;They just make the most of anything.

Jerry Dinnan

This morning I want to tell you about Jerry. I never got the chance to know him other than the volunteer work we did together at LifeLink, but that doesn't matter. You see, there is a special "kin-ship" between recipients and candidates for an organ transplant.

When I first met Jerry a few years ago we had volunteered to promote donor awareness in Sarasota. We both arrived wearing the same color Lifelink polo shirts and khaki pants as if we'd planned it. As the day progressed we discovered we lived a block away from each other! He was the light shining on the health fair. We joked, talked to others about becoming an organ donor, and wanted to hug all those who said they were already a donor.

The next time I saw Jerry was at a Donor Service of Remembrance held each November at the church he attends. Lifelink brought in donor families from the past/previous years for the donor and their families to be honored. It was at this service I realized deep inside how much I needed to thank a donor family and help some of these families understand how thankful all recipients are for what they have sacrificed.

This blog has taken me a few days to put together. Mainly because as a recipient I and many like me view all candidates & recipients as "family". We have scars, take the same meds, have the same side effects, etc. BUT mos of all we *strive to thrive* with all the daily obstacles, the medical obstacles, and honor our gift of life. When I hear of a candidate of recipient passing away, I not only grieve for the loss of their life and for their family. I grieve because a part of me goes with them. I know the daily struggle and strength each and everyone of us puts forth each second of every day to prove transplantation works. The loss is double. I've lost a friend, extended family member, and fellow kinsman who understands my thoughts without having to explain the medical aspects in detail. Or from the beginning.

Here is part of an email from Lifelink regarding Jerry.
You'll see why he is sorely missed.
I am very sad to inform you that LifeLink volunteer, Jerry Dinnan passed away last Thursday morning. For those of you who knew him you may recall, Jerry was a heart transplant recipient of nine years, was a passionate advocate for organ and tissue donation which few could rival. He was an active LifeLink volunteer, and led the good work of a support group - Transplant Recipients of Southwest Florida – in Ft. Myers. Jerry never turned down a chance to spread the important message of donation – and he touched countless lives by participating in every opportunity presented, including high school presentations, media interviews and other speaking opportunities.
Jerry was incredibly grateful for the gift of life he had been given by an organ donor, and he carried wonderful thoughts of his donor and donor family with him always. As a result, Jerry felt one of his most important roles was as facilitator of LifeLink Services of Remembrance, speaking from his heart to families from throughout West and Southwest Florida whose loved ones had become organ or tissue donors.
Even with his many responsibilities to the transplant community, Jerry found time to be an active member of his local church and a Hospice volunteer, ministering to families and individuals facing end of life issues. Jerry was a beloved husband to his wife, Debbie, for many years, and leaves behind four children, several grandchildren and many friends, who will all miss him dearly.

If you find a few spare minutes this Saturday morning (his services) please look up, smile and say hello to Jerry. He's earned his wings over and over...