JULY 26, 2009 ONE YEAR LATER

Good Morning Everyone, This is such a special day for Marty and me. One year ago, Marty received "the call" from Kate at St. Josephs asking him "would like to get some new lungs today?" Alot has happened in this past year. In some ways, our lives have been like a roller coaster, and for those of you who know me well, I HATE ROLLER COASTERS, I hate the anticipation of what is coming next, and the fear of the drops and turns. Needless to say, this past year, I have learned a lot about liking, or I should say having a new respect for them. As we think about this past year a few of the things that go through our minds are: 1. last year at this time, Marty was using a wheelchair for his main form of getting around(he would loose his breath from just walking a few steps) and now... he walks all over the place, he drives, he can get down on the floor to play with our grandson and get back up, and sometimes he even cooks me dinner, 2. He was on 7-9 liters of oxygen 24/7 and his oxygen saturations were continuing to lower, his color was a light shade of purple and getting brighter almost daily,and now, his oxygen saturations are 99-100% without any supplemental oxygen and his color is pink and healthy looking, 3. he used to be hesitant to go to any doctor because for the most part, there wasn't any real hope for his health to improve, now when he goes to the doctor, he waits with anticipation to hear how good he is doing and how his health has improved, 4.We think of all of the people we have met, the Doctors, the medical professionals, patients, friends, fellow transplant people as well as their families, each one of them has had a positive affect on our lives, 5. We think often and pray for the family of Marty's donor. We are so grateful for the selfless decision of organ donation that was made. This also ties into our families. They all have been here for us throughout this whole health ordeal, supporting us in all ways possible, in a sense they have made a selfless decision to stand by us, sometimes sacrificially.Thank you all. We think of our Church family, and how they have always been there, either in person, prayer, cards, or phone calls, you guys are the best. Even though he was experiencing his own health challenges, the pastor would come to the hospital for visits. 6. Most of all we have realized that God has directed this whole thing. We both have learned so much and our faith has grown. It is a choice, either learn and grow from what God is putting in front of you, or not. I am not saying it has always been easy, you know the choices that had to be made, watching the procedures Marty had to go through, and then for Marty himself to endure the healing from the procedures. Thank you God for this journey.(The photos are of Marty during his really bad time, and the other one is after the transplant at Disneyland with our Grandson) So, I guess that was more than a few thoughts huh? Anyway, we are both thankful for the whole journey this illness has taken us through, Gods provision, family, friends, and Marty's donor. Please say a prayer today for the family of the donor. As we are experiencing and celebrating life blessings today, they may be experiencing memories and some grief for their loved one. Thank you!

Virtual Spaghetti Dinner

We are having a "Virtual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser in Celebration of Marty's first year anniversary. We figured this would be a fun way to include all of our family and friends who do not live in Arizona, so you don't need to make the drive out here in the heat. Keep in mind, that this is not real food, so it is calorie free, and not messy at all(no dripping sauce on your clothes). We are associated with the National Transplant Assistance Fund,a non profit fundraising group for transplanted people. If you click on the picture of the flyer, you will be able to see all of the information about the fundraiser. We have been very blessed this past year with much support either financially, words of encouragement, prayer, phone calls, and people we have met through the transplant process. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love you all. If you feel comfortable, you are more than welcome to share this fundraising information with your email contacts. Thank you, and love you all, Monica

Almost One Year

Well, on July 26, 2009 it will be my one year anniversary with my new lungs. It is a time of celebration and thankfulness for my family and me. So much has happened this past year. We have met many good people either in person or through the internet(because of their medical situations and/or transplants) It is also a time of reflection for me, sometimes just thinking about the process of getting my lungs, someone having to die, and their family to experience such a loss is overwhelming. They made a very unselfish decision. I do not go a day without thinking about them and praying for them. I guess it is not uncommon for people who have received an organ transplant to go through a period of feeling guilty; guilty that they are alive because someone died. It is something that I think about often. The guilt is not quite as strong as I began to realize that the person who died, made the selfless decision to be an organ doner because they wanted to give someone else a second chance at living. Thank you! Another thing that Monica and I have been thinking about is that Jonathan (his parents too) are moving to Kentucky on July 16th. It will be very hard to not have him around us, but we both understand their reasons. I guess we will just have to take extra long weekends and fly into Knoxville Tn. every so often to see them (Him) :) Thank you Jesus for my life and for another chance at it.

Marty's Birthday June 7, 2009

Tomorrow is Marty's birthday. I thought and thought about how to make it special for him. As time wound down today, still with no good ideas to celebrate, my daughter called and asked if Jonathan could spend the night. What a perfect gift for Marty, a Papa and Jonathan night. Right now they are brushing their teeth together, they both have their systems. Next is bedtime medicine, (Jonathan pretends to do his swish and swallow medicine like Papa), then Princess Gertrude (Cory's Beta fish) gets fed. Then it is a "superhero flashlight show", bedtime story, and ice in a cup like Papas. Marty said this is the best birthday gift I could have gotten for him. Thank you Erin and Jason for letting Jonathan spend Papa's birthday eve with us. Marty and Marissa went out for a birthday lunch to the Landmark this afternoon. I am so glad that they got to spend some good time together. I think that no matter how old a fathers daughter is, they will always be their daddy's little girl. I must add that I am so grateful that Marty is here for another birthday. Two years ago, when he was admitted back into the ICU, I just wasn't sure just how much longer he would be here. God has a "Big Idea" as Jonathan says, for Marty. And for that I am thankful HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTIN JOSEPH. I LOVE YOU!

Wickenburg

Today we drove up to Wickenburg. Monica loves to get out of the city, so we try to take drives once in a while. Anyway, yesterday was our anniversary and all Monica wanted to do was go to Wickenburg. It was so peaceful on the way up there, no traffic, beautiful scenery, and just a slower pace of life. After we got there, we parked at the park, and took a walk. It is so nice to be able to do the simple things in life. As we were walking, we noticed a restaurant that was a great photo op. When you see the picture, you will see why. I am so thankful for 11 years together.