to Bruce, Ze, , & Lou

[Guest guest]

Thank you buddy. Couldn't have said it better myself.

A big part of fighting for your health, whether pre or

post tx, is pushing forward through adversity, through

the pain even, with as little whining as possible while

still being realistic about your limitations and taking

the best care possible of yourself. No excuses. This is

a lifetime and a life style commitment, but in return you

get quality of life, or in my case, life period.

Keep active, however you define active for your current

situation. Right now, I'm trying not to set any records

for the length of my walks, although it does seem like

I'm going quite far. Instead, it helps with the pain to

move more often and take shorter, more frequent

walks instead. I notice that already my posture is a

little better and I stand a little straighter when I walk.

But I keep forgetting to correct you on one thing:

San didn't arrange for the p.t. who was

coming to my house pre-tx. That was through the

same rehab center where I had attended pulmonary

rehab before. I had to pay her out-of-pocket, just

as you would for a personal trainer. But San

was all in favor of doing whatever meager exercise

I was capable of accomplishing. My p.t. and I had

just had a talk the week before transplant that she

would no longer come. The laps were more than I

could do any more, no matter how slowly. And I

didn't need to pay her to watch me do the

recumbent bike. I am awfully glad I did whatever I

was capable of doing for as long as possible, though.

It really helps if you have some leg and core strength

to see you through this side. Even the tremors can

make you feel sooo weak. I burned myself today (not

badly) stirring a cup of coffee due to my hands shaking

so spastically.

Zena, My heart aches for your pain. It makes me angry,

damnit. You are such a loving mother, though, and Lili

knows that above all else she means the world to you.

No one else gives her that. No one else can be you to

her, no matter what activities you have to curtail. But

I know it hurts and is horribly unfair. Thank God for

our dear friends who help see us through. I'm sending

you wishes for strength and courage, sweet young mother.

Thanks so very much for your words of encouragement

and friendship to me.

, Thank you for your touching words of support

and caring. Every word spoken from the heart from a

friend makes me stronger, lifts me up, and helps me stay

focused on my important job of healing. I try to take

breaths every day FOR you guys, as if I'm sending air

from me to you to help ease the way. A friend did this

for me in prayer before transplant, and I swear we had

some amazing experiences.

You had 4 of your children at home?????? WOW.

Lou, Take good care of yourself as you mend.

You've been through a lot. I hope you feel better with

each passing day. Eye problems are so scary to me.

Sending out prayers for our Queen.

Hugs and blessings,

Gwynnie 57 Transplanted 4-3-08 UTHSC San

, TX on my birthday!