I have no "reserve" for holding my breath

I am a former smoker and Pharmaceutical industry person. I have COPD which limits the elasticity of lung tissue. I trying to build myself back up by swimming a half or to walk a mile a day in the pool. I have just discovered that i need to work even harder to go though the lung operation and I am trying to make my body stronger by going to rehab and swimming classes every day.
The problem is that I have no "reserve" for holding my breath for any length of time. I've tried meditation, deep breathing prior to swimming and just about anything else that I can think of including the Power Lung. After less than 10 seconds, I'm out and it's difficult to build up a cushion again.
Is there any workable exercises or tips that I can use to increase my lung power? Any help would be appreciated. If this has been covered before, I apologize.

“I am not strong enough for the operation”.

Today I went to the University of Pennsylvania to find out if I am qualified for a double lung transplant.




The news was not what I had hoped. But then again, it wasn’t the worst news either. I was told by Dr. Lee since I have been in the hospital so much this pass month “I am not strong enough for the operation”. Dr. Lee however, is given me I guess you can say a second chance. For the next month and half I have to loss a few pounds, stay out of the hospital if possible and gain my strength back. Dr. Lee said if I had the operations today in my current condition I most likely would not survive.


I know this news is not the best or what I had hoped for but I have not given up my fight for the Lung Transplantation. I would hope that everybody sees this as a second chance and I will strive to reach my goals that Dr. Lee wants.

Testing is over for Now!! Now we wait for the out come on 09/27/2010

Testing is over for Now!! Now we wait for the out come.
What happens after my pre-transplant evaluation?
At the end of your pre-transplant evaluation, and after the test results are complete, the Lung Transplant Team will meet to jointly discuss whether or not a lung transplant is the appropriate treatment for you. The transplant coordinator will then notify you of the Team’s decision.
Please understand that abnormal test results might require further investigation. The goal of pre-transplant testing is to ensure that you will be able to undergo the transplant surgery and recover without any significant risk of complications.If you are approved and are going to be placed on the organ waiting list, the transplant coordinator will tell you what you need to do while you wait for your transplant. This has been the longest ten months of my life, I'll fined out on September 27th 2010 from Dr. Lee team if i made it on the list.

Three major Tests in three weeks from today.

What is the test?
The ventilation-perfusion scan is a nuclear scan so named because it studies both airflow (ventilation) and blood flow (perfusion) in the lungs. The initials V-Q are used in mathematical equations that calculate airflow and blood flow. The test is used primarily to help diagnose a blood clot in the lungs, called a pulmonary embolus.
Today, ventilation-perfusion scans are rarely performed because a chest CT scan is a much more accurate diagnostic test for detecting a pulmonary embolus.
How do I prepare for the test?
About one hour before the test, a technician places an IV in your arm. A slightly radioactive version of the mineral technetium mixed with liquid protein is injected through the IV to identify areas of the lung that have reduced blood flow.
What happens when the test is performed?
The test is performed in the radiology department of a hospital or in an outpatient facility. You are asked to put on a hospital gown. Once you are ready, multiple pictures of your chest are taken from different angles, using a special camera that detects the radionuclide. For half of these pictures, you are asked to breathe from a tube that has a mixture of air, oxygen, and a slightly radioactive version of a gas called xenon, which can be detected by the camera, and which measures airflow in different parts of the lung. For the other half of the pictures, the camera tracks the injected radionuclide to determine blood flow in different parts of the lung. A blood clot is suspected in areas of the lung that have good airflow but poor blood flow. Except for the minor discomfort of having the IV placed, the test is painless. It usually takes less than one hour.
What risks are there from the test?
Many people worry when they hear that the liquid and gas used in this test are slightly radioactive. In truth, the radioactivity you are exposed to in this test is so small that there are no side effects or complications, unless you are pregnant.
Must I do anything special after the test is over?
No.
How long is it before the result of the test is known?
The results are usually available within a few hours, because the test is done primarily when you are suspected of having a potentially life-threatening condition (pulmonary embolus). The Second test is An arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures the acidity (pH) and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood from an artery. This test is used to check how well your lungs are able to move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood.
As blood passes through your lungs, oxygen moves into the blood while carbon dioxide moves out of the blood into the lungs. An ABG test uses blood drawn from an artery, where the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels can be measured before they enter body tissues. An ABG measures:
• Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2). This measures the pressure of oxygen dissolved in the blood and how well oxygen is able to move from the airspace of the lungs into the blood.
• Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). This measures how much carbon dioxide is dissolved in the blood and how well carbon dioxide is able to move out of the body.
• pH. The pH measures hydrogen ions (H+) in blood. The pH of blood is usually between 7.35 and 7.45. A pH of less than 7.0 is called acid and a pH greater than 7.0 is called basic (alkaline). So blood is slightly basic.
• Bicarbonate (HCO3). Bicarbonate is a chemical (buffer) that keeps the pH of blood from becoming too acidic or too basic.
• Oxygen content (O2CT) and oxygen saturation (O2Sat) values. O2 content measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. Oxygen saturation measures how much of the hemoglobin in the red blood cells is carrying oxygen (O2).
Blood for an ABG test is taken from an artery. Most other blood tests are done on a sample of blood taken from a vein, after the blood has already passed through the body's tissues where the oxygen is used up and carbon dioxide is produced.
Why It Is Done
An arterial blood gas (ABG) test is done to:
• Check for severe breathing problems and lung diseases, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• See how well treatment for lung diseases is working.
• Find out if you need extra oxygen or help with breathing (mechanical ventilation).
• Find out if you are receiving the right amount of oxygen when you are using oxygen in the hospital.
• Measure the acid-base level in the blood of people who have heart failure, kidney failure, uncontrolled diabetes, sleep disorders, severe infections, or after a drug overdose.
How To Prepare
Tell your doctor if you:
• Have had bleeding problems or take blood thinners, such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin).
• Are taking any medicines.
• Are allergic to any medicines, such as those used to numb the skin (anesthetics).
If you are on oxygen therapy, the oxygen may be turned off for 20 minutes before the blood test. This is called a "room air" test. If you cannot breathe without the oxygen. The last test is What is cardiac catheterization? This is a procedure to examine blood flow to the heart and test how well the heart is pumping. A doctor inserts a thin plastic tube (catheter) (KATH'eh-ter) into an artery or vein in the arm or leg. From there it can be advanced into the chambers of the heart or into the coronary arteries.
This test can measure blood pressure within the heart and how much oxygen is in the blood. It's also used to get information about the pumping ability of the heart muscle. Catheters are also used to inject dye into the coronary arteries. This is called coronary angiography (an"je-OG'rah-fe) or coronary arteriography (ar-te"re-OG'rah-fe). Catheters with a balloon on the tip are used in the procedure called coronary angioplasty (commonly referred to as percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]). Catheterization of the heart may also be done on infants and children to examine for congenital (kon-JEN'ih-tal) heart defects. And then on Sept 27,2010 I will be see Dr Lee at 1:30pm to see if i pass all the test.

Be Someone's Hero. Give Blood

Friday, July 30, 2010
When I first read this question, it brought me back to the 80’s. Does anyone else remember those first articles about the “gay plague” that was originally called Gay Related Immune Deficiency? Back then we were told that the only folks at risk for this teriffying new disease were gay men (not lesbians – just gay men), Haitians and intervenous drug users. That made Americans feel better because it meant it was confined to “those people.” A bit later we learned that because HIV can be passed through blood transfusions, another at risk population was hemophiliacs. (BTW, the blood banks knew for awhile but refused to do anything to mitigate the damage being caused. I highly recommend the book “And the Band Played On…” by Randy Shilts.)

New, improved HIV tests In March 2006, the Red Cross, the international blood association AABB and America’s Blood Centers proposed replacing the lifetime ban with a one-year deferral following male-to-male sexual contact. New and improved tests, which can detect HIV-positive donors within just 10 to 21 days of infection, make the lifetime ban unnecessary, the blood groups told the FDA.
However we know now exactly how and why AIDS is transmitted, we know how to test for HIV and we know that AIDS is not limited to any single demographic or small group of demographics. This rule is a throw back, it remains simply because of homophobia, and it needs to be changed. This is so sad because for over twenty five, I have been tested every year and for twenty five years it's has come back Negative. What's wrong with this picture? But without hesitation they ask for my donation of Forty dollars each year to keep my name on the list of donors. With all the modern advancement that we have overcome, you would think it would change the way we give blood and the way it's it tested. Here is a list of who can't be a Blood Donor below.

Persons at risk for AIDS (or those listed below and their sexual partners) are NOT permitted to give blood:
•Anyone infected with the AIDS virus (HIV)
•Anyone who has ever used illegal IV drugs (using needles)
•Any male who has had sex with another male, even one time, since 1977
•Anyone who has had sex in exchange for money or drugs since 1977
•Anyone who has had gonorrhea or syphilis (VD) in the last 12 months
•Anyone with hemophilia who has received clotting factor concentrates
Blood donors are needed every day. If you are able to give blood, please join our efforts to save lives on Delmarva!

Do we really have true friends!!

A real friend won't always wait for you to call. I've been in one-sided friendships before in which the other person, or "friend" wouldn't make any effort at all. I decided to stop calling the person for a week or so, and learned that when left to their own devices, the person wouldn't try to make plans or anything. Thinking that I might be jumping to conclusions, I gave them another week. Still nothing and then months. I haven't seen or talked to them since, and it's because she wasn't willing to make the small amount of effort to keep up our friendship. It takes two to maintain a friendship, and a real friend will eventually call, no matter who usually calls first, just to make sure everything is okay.

You can tell if someone's a real friend or not if he or she notices when something is wrong. If you're not acting like yourself or seem unhappy, a real friend will pick up on it because he or she will be paying attention to your emotions and expressions. Someone who's just acting as your friend might not notice anything at all and act as if everything is normal because he or she doesn't really know you very well, or might not even really care whether or not you're feeling alright. A real friend can read your emotions, no matter how hard you try to conceal them, and will be genuinely concerned about you.

If someone's really your friend, he or she won't give up aiding you so easily. A real friend will try to move heaven and earth for you before throwing in the towel. This means that he or she won't limit him or herself to "conventional" methods to help you out, because conventional methods are easy, and when an easy action just doesn't cut it, you'll still need help and your friend should be there for you. Good friends won't give up when they're needed, because it's easy to pretend to be a friend and back out when things get tough; it's hard to get in the middle of a problem and work your way out.

The easiest way to tell if someone is really your friend is to attempt to have a really deep, meaningful conversation with him or her. Talk about a relationship, family matters, the future or illness, or something that you find yourself thinking about when you're alone. A real friend will actually get into the conversation because he or she knows that it means something to you, whereas a "pretend" friend will say you're acting strange and dismiss the conversation. Real friends don't mind being uncomfortable or emotional every once in a while, and this test is almost sure to weed-out the fakers.

REQUIRED YARD MANTENANCE

REQUIRED YARD MAINTENANCE

This is my view that I get to look at everyday in the summer and all year round really nicely maintained. The only time the yard work is done if there is a party or something else going on, maybe every couple of weeks.

These are the items that minimally need to be done on a regular basis during the growing months.

1) Cut your grass on a regular basis - once a week during the growing season
2) Edge your walkways, driveways and flower/tree beds - This prevents the grass and weeds from creeping into these locations
3) Weed Control - Chemical applications will take care of the weeds in your lawn. Hand pull or spray the weeds in the flower and tree beds.
4) Weed Eat around the mailbox, sides of the house and any street signs located on your property or right of way.
5) Refresh your pinestraw, mulch or other landscaping material in your tree and flower beds in the spring and fall.
6) DONT LEAVE GRASS CLIPPINGS IN THE STREET, DRIVEWAYS OR SIDEWALKS.

Bad time at CCHS

I had to drive to CCHS hospital on July 16th 2010 at 8:30PM and I was scared because I have COPD problems. I went to ER and I had a hard time talking and felt like someone was chocking me and left hung hurt. I was brought back to the treatment area and my blood pressure was taking. I then sat there for three long hours without any nebulizer treatments at this time it was 90°outside. Finely, I was taken to the doctor’s wing to be check over by a house doctor who did not come to see me for two hours. The first person I saw was a nurse name Judy which turns out I knew her. Thank god, she did her job as good a nurse would do she went out of her way my blood was taken and she had me started on my nebulizer treatments ASAP. When the doctor came in the look me over and check thing over and said you can stay for 23 hours so we can observed you, after that you we be discharged. The next doctor came in and said he did not like the way I was looking and had me moved up to the 5th floor for the next six days.
The first night, there was an altercation in the room next door to my room where security had to wrestle a guy and had him hand cuff to the bed. There were security guards hanging around making noise all night long. The second night in the same room there was a other guy in hand cuffs. He was brought in for overdoes of drugs and was so out of control that they removed him from the hospital. Just when I thought it could get worse it did a PCT aide named Kim was so rude that her name should be Rude in life. Yes I did have a good doctor who name Dr.R. G and did have three good RN nurses but the treatment that was given from other were so rude and non-Professional I felt I should had been in a dog kennel.

U of Penn ranked top 10 hospitals in the nation

PHILADELPHIA – For the third consecutive year, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) has been ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation in U.S.News & World Report’s rankings of the best hospitals in America. The publication’s annual ranking of hospitals placed HUP 9th out of the more than 4,800 facilities surveyed. HUP is the only hospital in the Philadelphia region, and one of only 14 hospitals nationwide, to be placed on the publication’s “Honor Roll” list in recognition of excellence in multiple specialties. The survey also breaks out the top hospitals in the nation according to 16 specialties. HUP ranked in the top 20 in 15 specialty categories: Cancer; Diabetes & Endocrinology; Ear, Nose, & Throat; Gastroenterology; Geriatrics; Gynecology; Heart & Heart Surgery; Kidney Disorders; Neurology & Neurosurgery; Ophthalmology; Orthopaedics; Psychiatry; Pulmonology; Rheumatology; and Urology.

In addition, Pennsylvania Hospital was ranked among the nation’s best for Orthopaedics.

Since 1990, U.S.News & World Report has published this annual special issue, which provides a ranking of hospital quality of care on a nationwide basis and is meant to help consumers make informed decisions when looking for hospital care. The survey evaluates hospitals based on factors such as mortality rate, procedure volume, patient safety, technology, nurse staffing, factors related to the individual specialties, and reputation among a group of randomly selected, board-certified physicians. This year, only 152 of the 4,852 hospitals scored high enough to rank in even a single specialty. To be on the “Honor Roll,” hospitals must be ranked very highly in at least six of the 16 specialties.

The complete guide appears in the August edition of the magazine. Rankings are also available online at www.usnews.com/besthospitals.

The Organ Transplant Waiting List!!

Some people don't have a clue about how many are on Transplant waiting list in the USA or other Counties.


The Organ Transplant Waiting List
In the United States, more than 84,000 men, women and children are waiting for organ transplants. Their struggle to live depends on a complex and technologically-advanced organ allocation system that links patients with organs donated by strangers.

Subjected to intense scrutiny by the federal government, the public, and the medical profession, no other aspect of modern medicine is more analyzed and debated. Such scrutiny is essential. Organ transplantation is built upon altruism and public trust. If anything shakes that trust, then everyone loses.

In 1984, the National Organ Transplant Act established the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN), a national organ sharing system to guarantee, among other things, fairness in the allocation of organs for transplant. Since 1984, the nonprofit United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) located in Richmond, Virginia, has operated the OPTN, under a contract with the Division of Transplantation in the Department of Health and Human Services. UNOS maintains a central computer network containing the names of all patients waiting for kidney, heart, liver, lung, intestine, pancreas and multiple-organ transplants; the UNOS "Organ Center" is staffed 24 hours a day to respond to requests to list patients, change status of patients, and help coordinate the placement of organs.

Organ transplantation is built upon altruism and public trust. If anything shakes that trust, then everyone loses.


Patients on the waiting list are in end-stage organ failure and have been evaluated by a transplant physician at hospitals in the U.S. where organ transplants are performed. Policies that dictate organ allocation are created and revised through a consensus-building process that involves UNOS committees and a board of directors, all composed of transplant physicians, government officials, specialists in immunology and experts in organ donation, as well as donor families, transplant recipients and members of the general public. Any proposed changes to the organ allocation rules are openly debated and published for public comment before being implemented.

Specifics of waiting list rules, which can be seen at OPTN website, vary by organ. General principles, such as a patient's medical urgency, blood, tissue and size match with the donor, time on the waiting list and proximity to the donor, guide the distribution of organs. Under certain circumstance, special allowances are made for children. For example, children under age 11 who need kidneys are automatically assigned additional points. Factors such as a patient's income, celebrity status, and race or ethnic background play no role in determining allocation of organs.

Contrary to popular belief, waiting on the list for a transplant is not like taking a number at the deli counter and waiting for your turn to order. In some respects, even the word "list" is misleading; the list is really a giant pool of patients. There is no ranking or patient order until there is a donor, because each donor's blood type, size and genetic characteristics are different. Therefore, when a donor is entered into the national computer system, the patients that match that donor, and therefore the "list," is different each time.

The other major guiding principal in organ allocation is: local patients first. The country is divided into 11 geographic regions, each served by a federally-designated organ procurement organization (OPO), which is responsible for coordinating all organ donations. With the exception of perfectly matched kidneys and the most urgent liver patients, first priority goes to patients at transplant hospitals located in the region served by the OPO. Next in priority are patients in areas served by nearby OPOs; and finally, only if no patients in these communities can use the organ, it is offered to patients elsewhere in the U.S.

Contrary to the image of organs always crisscrossing the country, 80 percent of all organs are donated and used in the same geographic area.


Such locally oriented allocation makes medical sense because less time between donor and recipient usually means more chance of a successful transplant as well as fewer logistical complications that could threaten the viability of the organ. Experience has shown, furthermore, that people are more likely to donate organs if they know that other people in their own community will benefit.

Thus, contrary to the image of organs always crisscrossing the country, 80 percent of all organs are donated and used in the same geographic area.

Of course, debates about organ allocation will continue as long as there is such a large gap between patients who need transplants and the number of organs donated. Who, for example, should get priority, people who are the sickest or those who have the greatest chance of surviving and achieving a long life? And what is the significance, if any, of someone's personal behavior? Should a much-needed heart go to a person who was a heavy smoker or a liver to someone who has suffered from alcoholism? These are difficult questions for which there are no easy answers.

The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 also created the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, which is now maintained at the University of Michigan, also under contract to the Division of Transplantation. Through the Scientific Registry, patients can obtain hospital-specific information about transplant survival rates as well as the performance of regional OPOs. Because this registry extends back more than twenty years and has detailed records of treatments and outcomes for more than 200,000 organ recipients, transplantation is by far the best-documented aspect of modern medicine.

Individual doctors for evaluations!!!!

Hello Everyone,
This is to let everyone know that I will be going to University of Pennsylvania next couple of weeks starting on the 24th though the 26th of Aug. The first day is me sitting with Individual doctors for evaluations, I guess there doing an evaluation on me to see if, I can handle the emotional stress. LMAO. That should lots of fun. The Secord day is testing to see if I’m normal and the third day is my Heart Catheterization. Hopefully I should be home the same night. Here is what they really say and do all jokes aside,
Before patients becomes lung transplant candidates, their condition and prospect for improvement with a transplant are thoroughly evaluated. At Penn, evaluation for a lung transplant occurs on an outpatient basis and typically takes place over three days. During the evaluation period, patients meet the various members of the transplant team.
During the examination, the lung transplant team helps patients become more knowledgeable about the impact a lung transplant has on them and their family. Transplant is not always the best option for the treatment of advanced lung disease and the transplant evaluation helps:
• Determine if patients have a disease that is treatable with a transplant.
• Determine the best timing for transplantation.
• Determine if patients have other medical problems that would increase the risk of a transplant.
• Provide patients with all the information they need to make an informed decision about lung transplant.

COPD and Summer Heat

Becoming overheated can put people with COPD at risk for serious illness. Stay cool this summer with the following tips:

•Watch weather reports. Plan outings for the coolest days. On hot days, avoid the city, where the temperature is hotter. If you live in the city, stay in a cool place indoors.

•Check the air quality index (AQI) for daily ozone and particle pollution conditions in your area. Watch your local weather report and read the newspaper for AQI information, or go to http://www.airnow.gov.

•Drink plenty of fluids, even if you are not thirsty or active. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you. Ask your provider how much you should drink when it’s hot.

•Use air conditioning. If you don’t have it at home, spend time at air-conditioned locations. Options include senior centers, libraries or malls.

•Have a friend check on you if you live or spend time alone.

•Eat small meals, rather than large meals, which may cause discomfort in hot weather.

•Exercise indoors at a gym, pulmonary rehabilitation center, or a mall or large store.

•Call for medical help for new or worsening symptoms or if your breathing worsens.

Thank you Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation (CCHS)

I just wanted to take a moment to write to you to express my thanks for the extra efforts you given me in the rehabilitation exercise program at Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation (CCHS) in Wilmington were you recently instructed me on. It is people like you who make my world a better place, simply by taking the extra time it takes to ensure that I was comfortable with the equipment benches, treadmills, elliptical machine, stair climber, stationary bikes, rowing machines, and spinning bikes.
You all stand head and shoulders above others in the facilitation field and I appreciate the time you took to care. Once again, thank you for an outstanding job!

Rehab Program before and after Surgery

I had to undergo extensive diagnostic testing to identify any potential for activity. My own personal exercise therapy plan is two one-hour exercise sessions each week for twelve weeks. They will be focusing on arms and legs training to increase the strength of the body's large muscle groups and increase stamina and how I need that. The stationary bicycle, treadmill, and walking and rowing machines are included in my exercise and participants wear cardiac and respiratory monitors during the program" I think they're out to kill me "LOl. As a patient I had to takes a six-minute walk before the program to assess how far I can walk and yes I passed the test, which is repeated following the program to document progress. This is only the beginning of my Rehab program before surgery, I will need another twelve week of therapy after surgery also.

Bowflex TreadClimber

Today is Tuesday 05/25/2010 I heard from University of Pennsylvania and they give me the ok to go to Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation (CCHS) in Wilmington not far from my home to begin my Rehab exercise. So I'll be starting on June 10th. Even though I don’t have a Personal Trainer ‘Dam’ it’s still allot of hard work before and after my surgery. I will need to go back to University of Pennsylvania to finish the rehab after my surgery this is to build up the big muscles in my chest LOl lots of pain and no muscles. This should go for 12 weeks here in Delaware and 12 weeks at University of Pennsylvania or until I get a transplant done and after words. I’ll need to go to lung rehab before and after my surgery. Again I will keep you all updated on where progress is...

Great Dinner

Brothers and Sister In-laws,
I just wanted to write a quick note to thank you again for the lovely dinner you arranged for Saturday. It was truly a wonderful day out and so nice to spend it with my family. We are truly blessed to live in a great community with so many wonderful people. I feel very lucky to have you and look forward to many more fun times together. You really did an outstanding job with your home and the Landscaping job looks outstanding and yes you are both very good cooks. And one more thank you to my other brother Roy and sister in-law Gerlinde in Maryland for having me over for lunch on the way back from my father house two weeks ago, also great lunch. My next lunch adventure is to hop a bus to Barbara house in Texas for dinner. Lol. And the last Short trip to Ginny's house will be a very short because she‘s always putting me on a diet.
Thanks again for everything!!!!

What's kills me about doctors!!!

I recently went to the doctors and I really feel that they should be paying me for having to sit in the waiting room for 20 minute after my schedule appointment. That's just sad, it's not proper, it's almost not moral. I had to wait at least 20 mins in the exam room while they had their lunch on my time. I was on time for my appointment but my doctor was not. I finally saw the doctor at 1:20pm and it was only for five minutes, then they charge the insurance company 200.00 dollars and my co pay of $25.00. But if I am late doctors can charge you an additional $25.00 dollars, this is out ragous. I ask what’s wrong with this picture... If the doctors can charge you for missing an appointment or not calling 24 hrs a head of time to cancel the appointment. Why can’t we change the doctor for our time $25.00 dollars for making us wait and when they are late its only fare? See how they like it when they start losing money and patients.

Lunch is Served

Hello Everyone,
Just wanted you to all know that I have a wonderful sister. She knew I was Hungry so she went right out and brought me a nice lunch before going to U of Pennsylvania. I guess I can’t complain about going without lunch after all. See what she got me. Wow what a great sister I have. Thank you so much I’m going to take my time eating it.

Evaluations in June at University of Pennsylvania

Hello Everyone,
Today is May 14th 2010, I was just on the phone with Kelly from University of Pennsylvania setting up all my appointments in June, the first day is me sitting with Individual doctors for evaluations, I guess there doing an evaluation on me to see if, I can handle the emotional stress. Lol. That should lots of fun. The Secord day is testing to see if I’m normal and the third day is my Cardiac Catheterization. This is where Ginny has to be there at 7:00am in the morning, if she is on time I might let her buy me my lunch. It’s really nice of her to do that, Thanks Ginny. The Tests are from June 22nd to the 24th no over nights. My fellow-up appointment will be on July 12, 2010 at 3:00pm to hear their evaluation and recommendations.

Friends 5/12/2010

My heart is always happy and I truthfully can say that by the grace of God, I made another friend today. There is no better way in which to use the time we spend than just to smile and say hello and find another friend. We cannot have too many friends for the courage that we need if only in the comfort of a good and kindly deed. If only in the counsel and the words of sympathy that leave no doubt or question as to their sincerity. And so it always is a day that has a happy end when I can tell myself that I have made another friend. Life is to short not to say that you have to many friends, they say if you can count your friends on one hand you are lucky but I have to use two hands. LOL.

May 11th 2010 U of Penn Main Lobby

Today, May 11th 2010, I went to University of Pennsylvania lung Center. I met my new doctor, he was nice enough but could use some bedside manners Don’t assume that the "nicer" doctor is right either. A doctor with better bedside manner isn’t necessarily a better practitioner. He said that I would have to repeat some of the tests that I already have done when I was going to Temple Lung Center back in April. I am continuing onto the next phase of testing as if nothing has changed excepts doctors and hospitals. Since some of the test I have to repeat, I know how what to expect. Hopefully the last of this testing and other procedures will move along smoothly as they did at Temple. Sometimes I get so frustrated but I just keep going along and hanging in there with a smile on my face and always laughing at something or joking about someone funny as I do everyday. “ The man upstairs is going to get me” (for being a smart ass) Going through these tests again is just a walk in the park.
The next test should be schedule in the next two to three weeks from how.
Again, I will keep everybody up to date.

Update on May 10th 2010!!

I am writing briefly to let you know how things are going for me. If you have been following my Illness I have some good news to share. I will be going to University of Pennsylvania in June were I will get the best treatment in the country for my Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. I hope and trust that my healing will be steady and progressive in the days and months ahead. Life is particularly challenging during these times as we all have been in the position of having things going well, then something happens like this to remind us the real value of life. Smile and keep up your spirits. I'll be Fine, and that's all that matters. I hope that, I'll be in your prayers. I will continue to keep you all updated on a regularly basis. Last but least I wish to thank Temple University from the bottom of my heart for a job well done. I’ll really miss everyone there, they made you feel as if you were a part of their family, Thank you Temple University Hospital (TUH).

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.