THREE MONTHS OUT

Well, today is my 3 month "anniversary" if that is what you want to call it. It is 8:51 pm, and three months ago at about this same time, I was just getting ready to go back into pre-op. I thought I was pretty calm and at peace, but now when I think of the alternative, I wonder if I was really all that calm. My wife, daughter Marissa, and Monica's kids; Erin and Cory were all there. Erin was even aloud to bring our grandson Jonathan back for a very short time before I went in to surgery. I never really thought at the time, that I would never see them again. It is amazing to me that today, 3 months later, I can drive, shop, go to church, and really, just live. I still can't believe this has happened to me. I am so greatful for the gift of life that was given to me. I have thought often of writing a letter to UNOS (the organization that allocates the donated organs) to give to the family, but how do you even begin a letter like that? I have so many ideas that go through my head all the time, I just want the words to be the right ones, so I will wait until I feel like the right words are there. So, today on my three month anniversary, Thank you to the person who made the donation of their lungs, what a gift, Thank you St. Joseph's Transplant Team, you are all amazing to me, Thank you to my family in Ohio; your love and support given to us is appreciated so much, Thank you to all of our "old friends" and all of our new friends we have met this past 23 months, Thank you Dr.'s Shah and Levinson........Words aren't enough to let you know how much I appreciate the care you have given to me, you kept me alive and healthy enough to receive the transplant, Thank you Monica for always being there. A good three months.....God is so Good!

Computer literate???

Hi, this is Monica..... as many of you know, we started an e mail fundraising campaign. Well, as I was putting it all together one evening, I meant to save the draft and proof read it in the morning since it was getting kind of late for me. Well, I guess I didn't do that, and I hit SEND instead. So there are a few spelling goofs in the body of the letter, some typos, a transposed phone number for the National Transplant Assistance Fund, and one piece of info that I forgot to add.... 1. The correct phone number for NTAF is 1-800-642-8399 2. The piece of information I forgot to add is that all contributions made in Marty's honor(or anyone else who is fundraising with the NTAF) are ONLY used for medical expenses. I am sorry for my computer illiteracy, but my heart was in the right place. If anyone would like any information, just drop Marty a line in the comment section, or sign the guest book page on his NTAF site. Thanks everyone! Monica

Busy Day

Well, today was a busy day in a way. I started a mind and body class at the senior center, It is basic exercises like the warm up at Rehab. At the end of the class, we practice breathing the correct way. Believe it or not, I am the youngest person in the class. I have realized two things, I am still way out of shape and that I am known at the center as "the guy with the pillow". For those of you who don't know, I have a very special Butt. After the class, I drank a cup of coffee and just sat and talked with some of the people there. I started to feel guilty that I was enjoying myself, like I have a life again. Monica works all day, and here I was, having "fun". She reassured me that I shouldn't feel guilty, that this is all part of my recovery. So I am ok with that now. The next thing I did was to go pick up my wedding ring. It had to be resized since I have lost so much weight. It feels good to be wearing it again. My next stop was to drop in to see Monica at work. To be able to go in there without the wheelchair was a great feeling. I only stayed for a few minutes because my next stop was back to the senior center to see what this WII fit bowling is all about. I was late, so I didn't get to experience it. They are trying to get a WII bowling tournment going. I have always loved to bowl, so this just might be a good start since I can't really hold a heavy bowling ball yet. So since I missed that, I decided to drive to Mesa ,where my daughter works and surprise her. To my surprise, she treated me to lunch at Olive Garden. All the soup, salad and bread sticks I could eat. By the time I finally made it home, Monica was just getting home from work. We had planned to go out for our Friday night date, but she said she was pretty tired, and made the suggestion that we just stay at home. I think she may have said that because she knew I was tired out, but when she put her PJ's on before 6:00, I knew she was serious. So, that was my exciting day, and it sure felt good. By the way, I drove the whole day.

Well, I have been driving to rehab on Tuesday's and Thursday's. (I even drove home this Thursday) It is going pretty good, but I forgot how crazy some people can drive. I feel like I am getting stronger each day. I have begun to go back to the gym on my off days of rehab. Today I walked on the treadmill for 22 minutes and rode the bike for 22 minutes. There are so many good people at the Granite Reef Senior Center(where the gym is) . The people who use the gym have been so patient with me, especially when I went with the oxygen and the wheel chair. No one complained that I took up too much room or that I was too slow with the weight machines. We have met some very amazing people who have become friends. We would have never met all of those people if I hadn't gotten sick.

CAN'T WAIT

Hi, this is Monica, Marty's wife. I just wanted to post a picture of Marty taken before he got sick. In this picture, he is playing the drums at our church, Church on Mill in Tempe. If his recovery continues on this track, he may just start playing those drums again. His drums at home are in storage, and just waiting to be set up again. The other pictures are of our grandson, Jonathan, learning to play the "drums" with Papa, and then playing Papa's drums. He is now almost three, but he still likes "drumming"

BACK BEHIND THE WHEEL

Today, Sept. 20, 2008 I drove for the first time since Nov. 26, 2006. I started out driving around the neighborhood just to get a feel for it again. Monica was a bit nervous, but she said I did great. I just may drive to rehab next week. I thought I would never get to drive again.