Re: Welcome Back Bruce and Trip

[Guest guest]

Joyce

We had just eaten.

My trip took me through Louisiana to Mississippi to Alabama the first

day and then on to Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina the

second.

On day three I arrived at my cousin's place on Pamlico Sound at the

North Carolina coast. I got to see my cousin and his wife who was like a

sister to me. I also saw their son and his wife and their granddaughter.

What a beautiful quiet peaceful setting. A porch that may beat yours

even Peggy. Shaded and beautiful view. I got out on the water with them

once. Went around to see the coast. Walked down to the Atlantic Ocean.

On day eight I left them to head west and spent time in my hometown on

day nine. While the outskirts have changed, the area I lived in really

is much the same. Greensboro NC remains beautiful.

On day ten I saw my cousin in Cary NC and his wife. Then I headed to my

Aunt's house in Sanford NC. There I saw her, her three children, a

cousin, another two aunts and another cousin and her child. I also ate

chocolate ice box cake which I hadn't had in 25 years. It was so

delicious. I then found out something new, that chocolate ice box cake

could cause severe excrutiating elbow pain as I visisted ER and they

said I had gout, although I'm not sure about the diagnosis and wlll

cover with rheumatologist here. At any rate the meds and/or time helped

and i was much better the next day.

On day thirteen I went to Raleigh NC where a cousin was having surgery

and then I snuck a visit to Durham where I had the pleasure of lunch

with Beth. I then headed west.

On day fourteen I visited my college campus in Salisbury NC and then the

lake I spent so much time on near Hickory NC. .

On day fifteen I drove through the beauty of the NC mountains and ended

up in Chattanooga TN. I lived in Chattanooga in 1988-1990 and it is

still so beautiful. I visited the aquarium (also went to NC Aquarium)

and took a trip down the river. I stayed at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

My one regret of the trip was that I found myself tiring at that point

and didn't get to see Jane, Eddie and . That does give good excuse

for return to Chattanooga though.

Days 17 and 18 were fairly rapid days driving home. I was experiencing

some stomach issues from the meds and generally was ready to be home. I

went through Memphis and then Arkansas and back to TX. I decided for

sight seeing in those areas I'll sometime do at Little Rock/Hot Springs,

Memphis/Graceland, Chattanooga trip directly rather than at the end of a

long journey.

I loved the trip and loved being back home. I've relaxed most of this

week. I'm glad i made the trip and saw family I hadn't seen in so long.

I refer to it as my " farewell tour " but not in a morbid way. Simply

there is a high likelihood I won't see them again. I was talking to my

counselor yesterday and we talked about the probability that if I hadn't

been diagnosed with this disease, I would have never gotten around to

seeing them. I would have put it off until too late. As it is I'm proud

and happy I made the trip of over 3500 miles in total and 18 days while

I still could. Its by far the longest trip of my life.

Now I will be traveling more but probably not trips that long. Where

next I don't know yet. But always thinking...friend in Tulsa I need to

see, friends near Austin, someone I know in San I want to hug.

And, the trip back to Little Rock/Memphis, possibly Chattanooga. Oh and

Disneyworld is still on my list. Who knows. Hey, Lojack, wherever you

are, the challenge of who travels the most is still on....lol

Oh, I didn't mention oxygen or my disease or anything did I? Why? It was

all a non-factor. Had a concentrator, a liquid reservoir, and my Helios

Marathon. I was in good shape. Had the concentrator because my cousin

has a record number of high, steep steps. I got my reservoir refilled

along the way with no trouble. If you use an independent rather than

national provider there is a group they probably belong to that can

provide you suppliers anywhere. Yes, I find myself requiring a little

more oxygen as time goes on. But I say " have oxygen, will travel. " I

don't like the disease but not only is it not holding me back at this

point, its motivating me to live life to its fullest and enjoy every

moment I can. I know many here who are using less oxygen than me (I vary

but up to 5 liters for exertion), others about the same. LIVE PEOPLE.

Now I know my friends here who are at much higher levels and not able to

do as I am. For you, just do the most you can at your levels. Make

family and friends come to you. Its about the people, not the places,

anyway.

>

>

> Bruce,

>

> So glad that you made it home safely. We missed you. Catch up. Rest

> up. Remember good memories. You and Beth both looked great in

> your picture. You must have just eaten!!!

>

> Hugs, Joyce D.

>

> Pulmonary Fibrosis 1997 Bronchiectasis 2004 Pulmonary Hypertension

> 2008

> Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (Lupus, RA, Sjogren's, etc) Rejected

> for Transplant 2006

> .....I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palm of

> my hands. Isaiah 49: 15-16

>