L.

[Guest guest]

I'm so sorry to hear the sad news about . She

was so good to keep us posted even during some of

her worst times. She was an inspiration to many of us,

certainly to me. She seemed to strike a balance between

fighting her disease and accepting her condition, all the

while caring about us. I admired that she always kept it real,

and there was a sweetness about her that made it

impossible not to love her. I knew this was coming, but

I'm really sorry to lose her. God bless our newest angel.

Brett,

Hang in there. You are amazing and have a terrific attitude.

That goes a LONG way. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

,

How is the HIPS program working out? Oh, I forgot - seems

like you might already be gone off to your island retreat,

which sounds heavenly. Just yesterday I saw the photos from

my daughter and son-in-law's honeymoon to Fiji. It's really

a long trip to get from here to there, but MAN is it gorgeous!!

They met quite a lot of folks from Australia at their resort,

and were even in the wedding of one couple they met - fun!

They thought the genuine kindness and gentleness of the

Fijian people was very touching.

Shelia,

I was just thinking of you and hoping you're having a good

day. Hopefully every day gets better over time. Grieving is

so exhausting!

To Kathy, Kerry, and all our brave ones waiting for the call,

I pray it happens soon and that you have peace.

Tina,

I miss your posts. I'm sorry your current situation, not very

surprisingly, is so difficult, but hopefully it will improve soon.

It's so unfair to have to deal with all that mess and your

illness too. I'm sending prayers for strength and courage.

Judy,

I'm hoping you're doing much better. How have the treatments

been going and are you any stronger? How about the leg pain?

I hope you're home. You're in my thoughts a lot.

Bruce,

I got on board too late to be included, but FYI, I'm on 16

prescription medications and 4 OTCs. Some of those meds

are taken in multiples several times a day, so it all adds up.

In addition to my one bad lung with IPF, I have GERD,

osteoporosis. chronic ear trouble for which I have tubes

in both ears, a bum hand from a bad break several years ago,

and year-round allergies. There are other lesser issues, but

mostly stuff I can deal with. Post lung transplant patients are

more susceptible to lymphoma and skin cancer, so I am

religious about sunscreen. I have basically 9 main doctors,

but the one I see by far the most often is my transplant

pulmonologist. Some of the rest of them are once-a-year

or only-in-emergency specialists. I have weekly labs now

that I'm on Coumadin, and monthly transplant clinic visits

at which they draw blood, do a chest x-ray, spirometry,

and doctor follow-up.

Did you ever get to the Kimbell or the zoo? If not, you'll

just have to come back. Call me when you do!

Can you believe it's been 6 months since my transplant?

,

It's good to see you back and great news that you had such

a good time. I figured you would!!

Jane,

I got rid of my treadmill when I got too sick for mine. But

now I need to get another one, so I'll be shopping for that

soon. I see a lot of folks at pulmonary rehab using the

" arm cycles " . I'm following closely your updates on your

trial. Hope you're having a good day.

Sher and Peggy,

Just thinking of both of you and hoping you're doing well.

Sher, how's the pain? Peggy, you're completely rid of all

sniffles, I trust. We're actually having porch weather here

right now. Evenings are around 56 degrees and the daily

highs are around 82 - really lovely. We need MORE of this

in Texas, God bless our poor, hot little selves who get two

weeks of winter as a rule.

Hugs and blessings,

Gwynne 57 Single-lung transplant for IPF on 4-3-08

at UTHSC San Fort Worth, TX