Update on Aptil 28th,2010 University of Pennsylvania

April 28th,2010

Today, April 23rd I went to Temple Lung Center and was told that it would be in my best interest to move my Lung Transplant surgery and the remainder of all testing to the University of Pennsylvania. This is due to the cost savings of the procedure to me. The cost at Temple Lung Center to me could be from $10,000-$50,000 versus little or no cost at the University of Pennsylvania since they are BCBS of Delaware transplant certified. Moving to the University of Pennsylvania will not change anything as far as the transplant goes. I am continuing onto the next phase of testing as if nothing has changed. Hopefully the last of the testing and other procedures will move along smoothly as it has been.
Sometimes I get so frustrated; there are times that I feel like giving up. But, I just keep go along and hanging in there with a smile on my face and always laughing at something or joking about someone funny. I’m still hoping for the best results. I think the thing I don’t like, well I know I don’t like, is change but you know that’s part of life and we can’t change that. I ask someone how are you feeling today they replied back to me said “Another day above Ground” So I should count my blessing each day I awake. Thank you God!!! I had to register at U of Penn before going in and now that’s all done, and now the wait has begun. Not as bad as I thought it would be, they are going to see me on June 17th at 9:00am it seems so far away from how, but it really considering what I had to do to get this far, This is just a walk in the park. Again I will keep you all updated as promised.

Pulled a muscle!!

For about the last week or so, I have been treated for what the doctors are saying is a bronchial infection. I also have COPD and a head cold. I have been coughing a lot, and really hard too. I started to develop a pain in the right side of my back... (Doctor informed me that it was just a pulled muscle) every time that I cough it get worse. Last night I was sitting at the dining room table and coughed really hard. It felt something click or popped. Now I can hardly move without pain shooting through my muscles in my back. It hurts to do anything at all, breathe, sneeze, move; it is especially bad when I cough. I have to literally brace myself. Well it got so bad that I had to go to the hospital last night "Christiana Care Health System" . I got there around 9:30 had to wait in the hallway with many other people including GI-Joe and Fernando the drunk. Oh yea, some lady flash me! She walked right by me and lifted her shirt and said “boy is it hot in here”. When we finally got to go in the observation room at 1:00 the doctor finally gave me something for the pain. Boy did I feel good then… The doctor said I pulled my muscle and all they could do is help relieve the pain, so they sent me home with some goodies. And yes Ginny had to get out of her warm bed and drive down to be with me at the hospital till 3:00am this morning. What a great sister we all should have like I do!! Thanks Virginia. Is this from old age or what (LOL) normal?,,,

More Update

Hello Everyone,
I will be seeing Dr. Cordova on April 16Th for an updated to see where I stand. I start my Rehab on April 20Th at Temple university hospital for my lungs, this is where I go three days a week for one hour and a half a day to walk and do excises to build my lungs back up so they don’t get weak from not moving around like a normal person would move. This will go on for 12 weeks or until I get a transplant done and after words. This was the only good Picture of me on Ginny's Treadmill.LOL

The next Level

I had some disappointing news that I may not be covered under my Health insurance for my lung transplant. Temple was not under the transplant certification for BCBS of Delaware. But they told me to hang in there and when I got home I had two phone calls from Temple saying that authorization is approved to the next level of testing. I'll need to have a heart Catherization done the second week of May!! They informed me that someone needs to be there for that test. They have to knock me out for this one, which also means I have to stay overnight

Winter's rains and runis

For winter's rains and ruins are over,
And all the season of snows and sins;
The days dividing lover and lover,
The light that loses, the night that wins;
And time remembered is grief forgotten,
And frosts are slain and flowers begotten,
And in green underwood and cover
Blossom by blossom the spring begins.

Family

Words alone are not enough to explain what family means to me. In my mind, I know family as three things: a home, love itself, and freedom. As I go through this emotional journey, please bear with me as I stumble to find the words.
First comes love. I don’t think anyone could make it through most obstacles that everyday life brings to them without the love of their family. It’s way too hard. The love of your family is like a gigantic bed of pillows you can fall back on everyday for support. It’s a necessity of life-- to make a bedarkened room full of light and life is a family goal.
A home away from home is no home. The reason I say this is because most children say they can’t wait to be on their own. That’s the hardest life in my eyes. Children with no home wish that they had one. When you are home, you are welcomed. When you are home, you are safe. When you do not feel these things, you segregate yourself. You are like a leafless tree.
Family helps you to believe in yourself. Family gives you love and the freedom to make your own mistakes. Family allows you to be yourself. There are so many limitations in this world, but to be home and surrounded by the love that your family has built lets you know that you can fall back and they will surely help you up-- if not with a helping hand, then with words of wisdom or a smile. Family is everything to me. Family is a home with no physical limitations, a form of love that no one else could give or possibly understand, and most importantly, freedom.

Weekend in Virginia 04/09/2010

This weekend was a beautiful weekend to spend some time with my family in the mountains of Luray County, Virginia. With my Dad and his girlfriend had a great time so many good laughs. I then went to Orange County Virginia to visit my Aunt and her family. I couldn’t have asked for better weather it was so perfect and cool had a wonderful time. It's always so good to go back home to the open spaces of the Country and see for miles of mountains in the Shenandoah Valley. Yes Ginny even came down with her husband John. It was so good to breath fresh air. Had a very nice and relaxing weekend but unfortunately it was too short, wish I could have stayed longer.

Three Good Friends

Shang and Serena came for a visit from California . Wow we all should have two best friends like Shang & Serena, then we would not have to worry about anything. For the first long time it felt so good having friends in my home again. Irene also came down from NY to spend time here too, what a great friend she is. I could not ask for three better friend then you all. I love the three of you. Thank you so much!! One more thing Serena Thank you for setting me up this this blog page.

Thank you Aunt Page

This was a note written by my Aunt Page. Love you Aunt Page!

"Life takes all of us to different places and gives us struggles and achievements; it’s all about how you choose to fight for life. Ric I see you as a soldier standing tall and fighting strong. Little did we know about the effects of smoking , When we were teens we thought we knew it all and we thought those advertizing for cigarettes were so cool , and it made us look so grown up! BOY WERE WE WRONG!! Cigarettes cause so many illnesses. My nephew will soon undergo surgery for complete lung replacement. Ric I’m very proud of you and love you with all my heart! I know God will guide your doctors hands while you are in surgery and you will pray for Gods healing powers!
With Love your aunt.
Page Kerns"

Lung Transplant

As many as you know I’ve been in and out of the hospital over the past year and a half. I did not want everybody worrying about me so I did not so anything. But now the time has come to let all of my family and friends know what is wrong with me. I have(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and it is not getting any better in fact it is getting worse. I’ve recently went to Temple Lung Center in Philadelphia to see if I had any options besides inhaler or steroids. After looking over my previous medical records from Christiana Care Health Center of Delaware and my Doctors, they have ruled out what is called lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). Since my disease has progress much further than expected my second option is to have a double lung transplant. I will be going back to on March 9th to have a full battery of tests done to see if I qualify. Once the doctors review the test results they will make the decision to see if I qualify to be put on a waiting list for a bi lateral lung transplant. Temple will let me know on March 19th if I qualify or not. I know the road to recovery is long from an operation like this and I will need the support of my family and friends to get me threw it. If I qualify if will be worth it maybe then I will be able to breathe normal again.

More Update

Hello Everyone,

Today is Monday 03/15/2010 and I went to Temple this morning for my stress test and it looks like I passed it .Will definitely find out on Friday the doctors were pleased with the results but would not say anything to me till Friday.. Today I had to buy my own lunch since Ginny was not there to buy it for me LOL. Will be on my own on Friday.

More Update

Today I went to Temple for more tests including my stress test. I don't know the results yet, but one doctor comment on the result of the stress test he says it looks good. I will find out all of the results on Friday from my main Doctor if surgery is an option or if I qualified for the transplant. It was a long day especially since I had to buy my own lunch. Ginny was not there to buy it for me LOL. I will be on my own Friday so if anyone wants to volunteer to go with me please do so. Ginny cannot get off work this week..

Update

As I promise I would keep everybody up to date about my progress. Tomorrow I had an appointment at Temple for a study. This has been cancel until future notice. I am currently on steroids and the study guidelines say that a person must not be on steroids 30 days prior to joining the study. This is in no way a set back and has nothing to do with the testing for my possible lung transplant.