She's B-A-A-A-K...

I'm grateful to return to this blog to discover you haven't give up and abandoned me.

Having considered waiting until my favorite holiday - Halloween - to post, I decided just finally hearing from me may be shocking enough. And if I've learned much of anything these days, it is that when I finally summon the energy and willpower to actually DO something - anything - I'd better follow through with it, because the energy will pass quickly, and all too soon I'll be back lounging in bed dozing or reading a book.

I have missed you, can't believe it's been so long, and I intend to visit you all. As you no doubt surmised, the surgeries were more hellish than anticipated, and the recovery has been as challenging. Back-to-back surgeries coupled with the deficits from 14 previous surgeries, really took a toll. We had to stay in the hospital three weeks, and  the patient-transplant house on campus a month, not being able to flee for home until the end of September. We commute back and forth every week or two. We are hoping this ends by the first of the year and I can do the labs and monthly infusion here. It has been grueling experience, and I have literally been unable to do anything but the bare minimum. Last week I began feeling I am finally turning a corner and making progress. Out of the wheelchair, almost off the walker and back on a cane. Hope to drive in a week or two. Getting a handle on some of the worst side-effects. The good news is the new kidney has been wonderful. It works so well I call it 'Golden Champ,' because from the first hour it worked like a champion and when I was in the hospital whenever asked, I would say it was 'golden.' Other transplant patients named theirs 'Leroy' or 'Junior,' but I  wanted to honor Cathy's gift to me. And the other great news is Cathy sailed through with flying colors and no complications.

Now that I am feeling almost human, I'm eager to return to the land of the living, and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your thoughts and well wishes, and patience. Peace.