Re: Wonderful Weekend all on Oxygen

[Guest guest]

Bruce

sounds like a wonderful weekend

so far i met 3 members of the group -- all have been wonderful experiences with wonderful people and non stop talking

Pink Joyce (IPF 3/06) IFA 5/09 Pennsylvania

Donate Life Listed 1/09 Inactive 4/09

www.transplantfund.org---

Subject: Wonderful Weekend all on OxygenTo: Breathe-Support Date: Monday, June 15, 2009, 11:29 AM

Just want to share the great weekend I had and remind all too that itwas all on oxygen and as far as I can tell it in no way impacted myenjoyment of the weekend at all. Did use many refills of my Marathonthough.Thursday around noon my friend was due at the DFW airport fromMinneapolis. We hadn't seen each other in 28 years but were inseparablein our much younger days. Well, about the time she was suppose to landas I was waiting at the airport, she texted me from the Tarmac in OkCity. They ran out of gas circling in Dallas due to the weather. At anyrate she arrived around 3 and then I drove her to her hotel to check in.We then went in search of food. The first restaurant we went to waswithout power, so we continued. Ate and talked at Pappas Brothers SteakHouse and then went back to the hotel lounge and talked for hours.Friday I picked her up at 11 and we had seafood at Papadeaux. I

alsowent a bit crazy and had the best chocolate cake. Then we headed toFossil Rim, which is a wildlife reserve beyond compare. It was about anhour and 45 minute drive. At Fossil Rim we got a bag of animal food andset out to drive through the reserve. In all we spent about 3 hoursthere and fed all the animals at our car windows with them eating out ofour hands. We fed six varieties of Antelope (didn't see the seventh,Wilderbeast) , Aoudad (Barbary Sheep), four varieties of birds includingEmu and Ostrich, five different varieties of deer, Giraffes, threevarieties of Oryx, Gazelles and three varieties of Zebras. We thenheaded back to town and had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and thentalked more in the hotel lounge. Of course the entire day was talking.Saturday, I picked her up a bit before 11 and drove her around to showher more the area I live in. Drove by some ranches not far away and

outaround South Fork. Then to my home where she met and the three ofus went to Mimi's for lunch. After lunch, she and I headed to the DallasWorld Aquarium and spent a couple of hours there. Then to the hotel formore talking before a light dinner at 's Deli.Yesterday, I met her for breakfast at the hotel and then drove her tothe airport.Things were as if we'd never been apart. The fact I am on oxygen wasirrelevant. So was the fact I have a terminal disease and may not havelong to live. We've been honest and open about that but we have way toomuch to enjoy to dwell on it. Life after diagnosis and with the diseaseand with oxygen can be wonderful. It involves sharing time with thoseyou care most about. It involves living each day to the fullest you can.For those who don't know I have UIP/IPF diagnosed summer of 2007. I'vebeen on oxygen since diagnosis and am on 2 lpm for sleep,

2 lpm sitting(sometimes require none sitting) and 3-5 lpm for activity. I have manyother conditions too including most that are common among the group andsome that aren't. I'm taking several medications but none other thanoxygen for my disease. I was put on oxygen at the time of diagnosis.Now I plan some more one or two day outings with (ex-wife, bestfriend, closest family, housemate) and a couple of lunches and outingswith some board members and some trips for the fall including the one toChattanooga. Even if you can't go there, get together with some othermembers from your area. You'll find it so nice. I've now met a total ofat least 15 members and when you throw in families probably 35-40 peoplefrom the boards. And thats without counting the entire town of Snyder,TX which is apparently all family to Wally.Death happens when life ends, but every moment until then is life to beused

and nurtured in the best way possible. I enjoy mine and intend tocontinue to do so even when I reach the end and am sitting at home doinglittle and taking morphine. Now, I will not be responsible for what Imight say or type at that point. But for those new to the disease, Ihaven't had two better years in my life than the last two. Now, today,I'm relaxing and resting. But my mind is at work making future plans.Have a good day all, every day you can.

[Guest guest]

Dear Bruce,Thanks for the detailed note of your fun time out.It's so true that life is for living. Ever since I was diagnosedthe lyrics run through my mind, "live like you were dying". I've done a lot of fun stuff in the last month or so just becausewhat am I waiting for! Not that I would wish this on anyone,but since it's here I pray God help me through this gracefully. Amen.PJ Wonderful Weekend all on Oxygen

Just want to share the great weekend I had and remind all too that itwas all on oxygen and as far as I can tell it in no way impacted myenjoyment of the weekend at all. Did use many refills of my Marathonthough.Thursday around noon my friend was due at the DFW airport fromMinneapolis. We hadn't seen each other in 28 years but were inseparablein our much younger days. Well, about the time she was suppose to landas I was waiting at the airport, she texted me from the Tarmac in OkCity. They ran out of gas circling in Dallas due to the weather. At anyrate she arrived around 3 and then I drove her to her hotel to check in.We then went in search of food. The first restaurant we went to waswithout power, so we continued. Ate and talked at Pappas Brothers SteakHouse and then went back to the hotel lounge and talked for hours.Friday I picked her up at 11 and we had seafood at Papadeaux. I alsowent a bit crazy and had the best chocolate cake. Then we headed toFossil Rim, which is a wildlife reserve beyond compare. It was about anhour and 45 minute drive. At Fossil Rim we got a bag of animal food andset out to drive through the reserve. In all we spent about 3 hoursthere and fed all the animals at our car windows with them eating out ofour hands. We fed six varieties of Antelope (didn't see the seventh,Wilderbeast), Aoudad (Barbary Sheep), four varieties of birds includingEmu and Ostrich, five different varieties of deer, Giraffes, threevarieties of Oryx, Gazelles and three varieties of Zebras. We thenheaded back to town and had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and thentalked more in the hotel lounge. Of course the entire day was talking.Saturday, I picked her up a bit before 11 and drove her around to showher more the area I live in. Drove by some ranches not far away and outaround South Fork. Then to my home where she met and the three ofus went to Mimi's for lunch. After lunch, she and I headed to the DallasWorld Aquarium and spent a couple of hours there. Then to the hotel formore talking before a light dinner at 's Deli.Yesterday, I met her for breakfast at the hotel and then drove her tothe airport.Things were as if we'd never been apart. The fact I am on oxygen wasirrelevant. So was the fact I have a terminal disease and may not havelong to live. We've been honest and open about that but we have way toomuch to enjoy to dwell on it. Life after diagnosis and with the diseaseand with oxygen can be wonderful. It involves sharing time with thoseyou care most about. It involves living each day to the fullest you can.For those who don't know I have UIP/IPF diagnosed summer of 2007. I'vebeen on oxygen since diagnosis and am on 2 lpm for sleep, 2 lpm sitting(sometimes require none sitting) and 3-5 lpm for activity. I have manyother conditions too including most that are common among the group andsome that aren't. I'm taking several medications but none other thanoxygen for my disease. I was put on oxygen at the time of diagnosis.Now I plan some more one or two day outings with (ex-wife, bestfriend, closest family, housemate) and a couple of lunches and outingswith some board members and some trips for the fall including the one toChattanooga. Even if you can't go there, get together with some othermembers from your area. You'll find it so nice. I've now met a total ofat least 15 members and when you throw in families probably 35-40 peoplefrom the boards. And thats without counting the entire town of Snyder,TX which is apparently all family to Wally.Death happens when life ends, but every moment until then is life to beused and nurtured in the best way possible. I enjoy mine and intend tocontinue to do so even when I reach the end and am sitting at home doinglittle and taking morphine. Now, I will not be responsible for what Imight say or type at that point. But for those new to the disease, Ihaven't had two better years in my life than the last two. Now, today,I'm relaxing and resting. But my mind is at work making future plans.Have a good day all, every day you can.