Lungs for Mandy

So today I faced my fear of Doberman Pinchers. I stopped by my apartment in between doctors appointments today when I noticed the two pooches were free from their usual backyward prison. I approached them to let them back into their backyard when both of them lifted their lips, snarled and growled at me. I decided that Dobermans and I do not have good Karma so I stepped back and took the easier route of knocking on the owner’s front door. He seemed irrirated at first and then relieved his un-social were caught during their Great Escape. Oh the story from my childhood fear of Dobermans — I was chased onto the roof of the family station wagon by neighbor’s Dobermans when I was like 5 years old. The damn dogs run sooo fast; luckily I wasn’t chased today because their were no station wagons available and I was too tired and probably would have just let the pair eat me alive.

Rehab went fine today. I could only walk half of the amount of time due to my nausea. The nausea has really become an issue. I see the docs tomorrow and hopefully they will have a plan. It will probably be something drastic like a colonoscopy — hopefully I get knocked out for that one. 

Dad mentioned washers at Larry’s 60th party Saturday. I figured that I must be out-of-shape because my side hurt the next day. If you know anything about washers, you know it is one of the laziest sports/ backyard activities in the world. Bob and I lost and Teresa and Todd lost. I still think those two cheated when it came down to the score. They know I am pretty slow in math—even simple numbers like 5 + 6. It is 10 right? It was a lot of fun catching up with Chris’ family - well, I consider them my family too. Dad was right on, they have been so supportive through the years and I feel lucky to have such a great extended family. It was wonderful to see Larry surprised -

Alex had a baseball game last night that Dad and I attended. It is amazing how big Alex is getting. He will be 12 in August and it seems like yesterday that I was changing his diapers Oh wait was that yesterday? hehehe just joking. He has become a good baseball player with his pitching and hitting skills. He stole a few bases safety which I thought was a little crazy since we are trying to teach our children not to steal — no wonder their are so many problems in the world. As Susan and Michael Klenk say “The world would be a better place is everyone carried a teddy bear with them when they went out in the world”. I totally agree. Anyone want a bear?

I’ve also been trying to track down my former nurse Marti. Marti,  if you are reading this let me know when you are on the floor because I want to come say hello.  I’m going to send an APB out for you soon. I miss you! I’ll attempt it again Thursday. Coming to see you not the APB. Oooooo, I have a date on Saturday and I can’t wait. His name is………….. I’ll have to tell you tomorrow because we haven’t confirmed the time or place. We’ll choose somewhere with lots of trees and bushes where he can lift his leg privately - He is a little shy.    

Saturday was such a great day. We got to spend it with Steve’s in laws. It was his father-in-law, Larry S’s. surprise birthday party. The grandchildren were there as was Mandy. It was so nice to see Mandy in her element. Visiting and talking to so many of the people who have followed her journey through both transplants and generously supported her fundraisers through the years. It was especially nice to watch her play washers. YES, she was actually playing washers.

But today’s post is on another subject of concern. Since Mandy’s brother is working more now, we don’t get to see him as much, so it was really good to visit with him and see him relaxing a little. He really looks good and I noticed he was styling his hair a little different and I asked him about it. He said Grandma Willie (my mom) had told him he had a double crown, which means his hair is thinning out a little. It appears he is practicing G’Bob’s (my dad) hair styling. In order to disguise the thinning hair spot on the back of his scalp he kind of combs it forward and up from the back, something I remember my Dad doing. 

Not that I am vain, since I am very fortunate to have fairly good hair still although thinning more and more everyday, I recently changed from a beautician to a old style barber who uses a razor cut which makes me feel as if my hair is a little thicker looking. Anyway when the barber is done he hands you a mirror turns the chair around so the back of your head is facing the big wall mirror, and hands you a hand mirror, or holds it so you can see the cut on the back of your scalp.

The first time he held the mirror up I wondered who’s head I was looking at? I was shocked to see a spot that was more white than dark. And it’s a good size spot. After visiting with Steve I wondered “Is it a double crown or?”

As I pondered this question all night long, it came to me that what my Mom had told me as a teenager was finally coming true. I guess I was maybe 13 or 14 and she said I had hair like hers and it would really become thin someday. Well, I’m calling Hans on Monday!

Dad

Photos post-transplant photos will be available as soon as I locate my digital camera. I remember having it in Atlanta at Thanksgiving.

Alex is spending the night tonight (my 11 year old nephew). All three of the kids are on rotation because it is very tough to keep all of them at once. Alex is getting to be so grown up. Tonight when going to retrieve a pizza he told me that my music sucked and the AFI is the best ever. Ever heard of them? I sure haven’t but that doesn’t mean a whole lot!

Oh it seems that I didn’t finish my last post. I ended it with “my chest hurts sometimes but……” well I didn’t have a heart attack. I probably just didn’t have much more to say and forgot to close.  I guess I just get sick of talking about myself.

Today was walking at the mall when a black and white cookie from Mrs Fields caught my eye. If you do not know what a black and white cookie just look at a local Jewish bakery. It is almost the size of my head, very dense and covered half in white icing and half in black icing. They are delicious. Anyway back to the deceit of Mrs F. She advertises one in her goody case and it is a fake! Half the size of a real black and white plus it was a sugar cookie not a pound cake type cookie. I think we should ALL ban Mrs Field’s cookie shack until she apologizes for false advertising. PS Even though it was not a real, official black and white I ate it but gagged through every minute of it.

Hello there. Hope this post finds you all doing well. Still no word on why I feel  like I have the flu. It’s been a while since my tummy felt calm.

Sophie is spending the night and heading to the doctor with me tomorrow. Right now she is taking a bath with about a million toys. I’m surprised she has room to sit.

My lungs are doing just fine. I have jest been in a little pain and