Life Lately- 2 More Milestones

The absence from our blog writing can only be blamed on the fact that we no longer have worries or fears for the future. Our life has been renewed and we all have the second chance to live a life free of anxiety. We have all been busy making plans and living life and honestly trying to keep up with dad! He goes 90 miles an hour all day!

This time of year really makes me stop and reflect on where we were last year and the life we were living. This time last year we were living life as if there was no tomorrow. We had NO idea what the future held and if there was a second chance for dad. Last December was two months after one of the biggest medical scares dad has ever had. His body started to shut down in October and we were all preparing to say good bye. Last Christmas mom and dad bought things, did things and took us places because they honestly thought it was our last with dad, we were all preparing for the worst. Fast forward to this Christmas and we are all saying prayers and giving thanks for the early miracle present we were given this past May, a new dad. We are no longer living scared and trying to get in all that we need to, but we are enjoying one another and each day that has been given to us. I can't even believe where we are in life and where we were. It blows my mind each day, because sometimes I forget dad was ever sick and that is a feeling I NEVER thought I would have. We are one amazing family and it all stems from our parents and the life they have blessed us with no matter the circumstance we were in.

Since the last blog post we have has some great more milestones and two that I know are extremely important to dad.


Ever since dad became really sick last October he was not able to leave the state, which means he was not able to go to Missouri to visit his grand kids. Nothing hurt dad more than this. He didn't care how sick he was he wanted to go to Missouri and see Gabby and James, but sadly he couldn't. Of course, they came to us, but for dad it was not the same, hr was heartbroken. As soon as the transplant was over dad started planning when he would be able to fly to Missouri. Due to dad's amazing doctor appointments and test results he was cleared to fly to Missouri this past November. Dad was ecstatic and mom was a mess! Mom and dad took the necessary precautions to make sure dad was as free from germs as possible. They ordered nose guards, got a mask for dad, notes from the doctors and got clearance to board the plane first so mom could clean the area where they would sit. I can only imagine the scene that they made and how funny they looked doing all of this, but in the end dad traveled to and from Missouri and did not get sick. Although dad came home healthy mom seemed to pick up a cold along the way. Dad was in his glory when he walked off the plane in Missouri and knew he was minutes away from seeing Gabby and James, oh and James, Kristen and Nikki. Dad was able to go and surprise both Gabby and James at school and the moment was so precious for everyone. Dad was living a dream and couldn't believe he was actually there and holding Gabby and James again. The last time dad saw them he was still recovering from his transplant and was not able to fully play and run with them, but this time there were no rules, dad did it all! They cooked, they did things around the house, they babysat, played and best of all snuggled. When it was time to come home mom and dad were sad, but were excited for Christmas because everyone would be traveling here to be all together. In the end dad was just happy to know that he was healthy enough to travel again to one of his most favorite places in the world, Missouri, the home of his grand kids.

This past week mom and dad were also able to attend the Transplant Christmas party at the University of Penn. This was a chance for all transplant patients to come together and not only celebrate the holiday but celebrate their transplants. Mom and dad had an amazing time and were among hundreds of others saying an extra "thank you" this holiday season. Dad called after and told me, " We had an amazing time and I was a celebrity because I got two organs!" Oh dad, you are pretty special and I know dad was loving every minute of that party. He was finally there and finally able to celebrate his transplants, a day I am sure he never thought would come.

From left to right- Sue (transplant nurse), dad, Meeka (transplant nurse), Kevin (heart and liver transplant patient), Maria (transplant nurse) and Julie ( heart and liver transplant patient)

Sally- one of dad's amazing transplant social workers

Dad with Joe- he received a liver transplant 9 weeks ago.

Dad with Chris- another liver and heart transplant patient

Bob and Gayle with mom and dad. Bob had a kidney transplant 4 months ago. They live in the community, Hillview where mom works. They all rode together to the party. 

Those were the two major milestones from the past few months. They are all great memories that dad is creating in his new life. Along with these milestones dad is going crazy with trying new recipes and creating new masterpieces with wood. Dad has become quite the cooker and carpenter. Dad always enjoyed cooking but nothing like now. I can also always remember dad being handy, but nothing like how he is now. Every time we turn around dad has a new creation with wood in mom and dad's house. It is kind of like a fun game every time we go over there to find the new wood creation!

All good things are happening around our way and we are all happy with the new adventures we are experiencing as a family. We are excited for the holiday season and the start of a new year. We are anxious to see the memories we can create in 2012. The future awaits us and for once we are looking forward to it!