Another great biopsy

Hi all
Susan and I had a great time last week, we went to St Louis on Monday for my biopsy on Tuesday. When we got to St louis Susan had a few work things she had to take care of on Monday and Tuesday while I went to Barns to have my biopsy. The people at Barns were not happy that I planned on taking a cab back to the hotel if Susan wasn't finished with her business by the the time the biopsy was finished. Well it all worked out and Susan was there to pick me up after all. The biopsy was a little rougher than the previous ones but I survived and the results were good news. I had a grade zero again so that was great. We left St Louis on Wednesday for the lake of the Ozarks, Susan had qualified for an Aflac vacation at the Ozarks from Thursday to Sunday. Jeremy and Angie Frye invited us to stay at there lake house on Wednesday to practice for the up coming vacation. We spent the rest of the week at the Horny Toad Resort, and it was a fantastic time. Thanks again to Jemery Frye for a great getaway. It was great to get a zero on my biopsy, all your prayers are being answered. My rehab is going great, and I don't have to return to St Louis until mid September. I'm really looking forward to watching Rudy play football this fall. His first game is the 29Th of August. if anyone wants to catch a game this season just give me a shout. I will talk to you all soon, in the meantime please keep me and my Donner family in your prayers.

Cheers
frank

Getting better every day

Hi all,

Well I have been in cardiac rehab for 6 sessions now and there starting to work me a little harder, I still think that I could do more than they are asking but I guess they want to take it slow. They have me working on the treadmill, stepper, bike, and arm machine for 10 minutes each but they have increased the level of each machine. I went to KU for a sonogram of my left leg to check on the swelling and it was normal no blood clots so that's good news. My blood sugar has been creeping up the last month or so so it looks like I have to start taking insulin to keep it under control, they tell me that I might be able to stop the insulin when I stop taking predisone, after the transplant I was taking 70mg and now I'm down to 22mg a day. hopefully I will be able to get completely off the predisone within the first year. But other wise have been feeling great. Susan and I have been getting out quite a bit and it's great to see and talk to so many friends that have been keeping up on my progress. I have been harvesting all kinds of veggies from my garden the last couple of week's and have been learning how to can all my goodies, so far I have canned tomato sauce, salsa, tomatoes with cacutzza, pickles, peppers, and peaches, Concetta has shown me the Doe's and dont's of canning, she's a real old McDonald. I have a biopsy comming up soon I will post the result when I get them. Well I'm getting a little long winded so I will talk to you later. please keep me and my Donner family in your prayers. give the gift of life be an organ Donner.

Cheers Frank

Cardiac Rehab

Hi, Well I started cardiac rehab Wednesday at Ku med, I go on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so far it's been pretty easy. I guess they start you out pretty slow, I've been doing 8 minutes each on the treadmill, recumbent bike, elliptical trainer and a machine that you peddle with your arms. They tell me that they will make things much harder as time goes by. I tried to explain that I think my new heart has a lot more horsepower than my old one It seems that I have been working much harder at home just walking for 30 minutes each day on my street trying to keep up with Susan's pace. I'm feeling stronger and stronger every day and can't wait to get to go golfing next month. I've had some swelling in my left ankle the last couple of weeks so the Doctor is sending me for a ultra sound of my legs to make sure I don't have a circulation problem. I look pretty lopsided when you look at my feet but at least it doesn't hurt. Susan and I are getting out of the house quite a bit so that's been really nice, I feel like it's the old days when I actually felt like going places So I hope to see you out and about . My next biopsy is not until August 11th so no road trips to St Louis for a few weeks. Please keep me and my Donner Family in your thoughts and prayers.

Cheers

Frank

Back from St Louis

Hi all,

Susan and I just returned from St Louis, for my two week biopsy. I got great news that the biopsy came back a zero. that's my first zero and hopefully the first of many. We had a great time while we were there,We brought Molly with us this time so that was fun, we took a long walk through the west neighborhood and side shopping area and then had a great Mexican dinner. we sat outside so Molly was able to sit under the table while we ate. Later we went down to Bush Stadium and took in some of the atmosphere of the All Star Game, It was quite a site. the next day I walked from the Parkway hotel to the hospital while Susan took Molly for a Spa treatment. after we were both finished we returned home that night, Molly and I were just exhausted, Next time Susan gets the Spa treatment.

Ku test results

Hi all, well I had some blood test at KU on Tuesday and the blood levels of all my heart drugs are looking very good, Rudy came home for a few days and he had to give some blood as well. Earl yer in the year I had enrolled in a family related study at the University of Miami for family's with a history of congestive heart failure. This study is to try and see if there is any link to heart failure and certain genes that are passed down from generation to generation. Carl, Rudy, Me, my sister and nephews are part of the research study, we all had to give blood for the study. This was the first time Rudy had time to give his blood so I brought him with me when I had my blood test. I had to laugh when the nurse found out Rudy was starting nursing school she gave him a lesson on how to stick the needle in the vain. Susan and I will be going back to St Louis on Tuesday for another biopsy, It kind of nice not having to go every week. As far as I'm concerned I have been feeling great, I have noticed that the last week or so that I'm starting to get stronger and stronger. I should be starting cardio rehab in the next week or two, hopefully that will help give me some strength in my legs, they seem like the weakest part of my body. well I will post again when I get the results from my biopsy. Thanks for all you thoughts and prayers, and please keep my Donner family in your prayers as well.

Cheers

Frank

Happy forth of July

Hi All,
Hope everyone has a wonderful forth of July. This is the first year Susan and I will not have a forth of July get together. usually many of Carl and Rudy's friends show up to shoot there fire works, but the boy's won't be home this year so I guess it will be quiet on the home front. In years past it has been like a zoo out here at night, I remember years where there were 50 or more teenagers shooting fireworks in all directions, I wont miss that part. but I will miss seeing Carl and Rudy. hope everyone has a safe and happy Holiday.
Cheers
Frank

My biopsy results

Hi all, Well the results are in from my biopsy on Tuesday and they came back a 1A so all is going great. I have really started to feel a lot stronger this last week. Yesterday I felt a little fatigued. but maybe that was from the biopsy. I have noticed that the days I feel a little week are the days that I seem to retain fluids in my ankles, I guess the extra water just sloes me down. but I'm not complaining I can't compare the way I feel before and after the transplant, its like night and day. Unfortunately when we got back from St Louis our pool had turned green so I have been trying to get it in shape for the forth, I think I have got it going in the right direction now, I was a little disappointed that I couldn't walk in the pool when we got home, maybe tomorrow. I hope everyone has a safe and happy Holiday. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. and please keep my Donner family in your prayers as well.

Cheers

Frank