Seems that I'm finding something of great significance to attach to the last couple of years so that will be my New Year Resolution...to identify the highlight of each coming year and document it. So...here goes my start:
2007--Received the gift of life in the form of a liver transplant, so this will mark my "new" beginning.
2008--Met my co-moderator Deb and had my "first" birthday with my new liver.
2009---Anticipate slaying the dragon (otherwise known as successfully eliminating the hepatitis C virus through interferon/ribavirin treatment).
Keep your spirits high...robin
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve---by Robin
Christmas Eve is here and it will be a time to spend with my husband. We have had our time with family (with a week-end of the "little" grands staying over) and have reached out to friends through cards. Tonight will be special, as it's a time for "us".
We will put out of mind, the idea of an upcoming ultrasound and liver biopsy, the "nastiness" of the interferon and ribavirin and enjoy tonight as it is,the eve of Christmas.
This day, as all are, is a gift from my donor family. So tonight as we warm by the fire and sit in awe at the beauty of the lights and the glistening of the tinsel, with the peace of knowing that health is "our's", we will have hope that tonight our donor family is able to have a loving and meaningful holiday.
Keep your spirits high...robin
We will put out of mind, the idea of an upcoming ultrasound and liver biopsy, the "nastiness" of the interferon and ribavirin and enjoy tonight as it is,the eve of Christmas.
This day, as all are, is a gift from my donor family. So tonight as we warm by the fire and sit in awe at the beauty of the lights and the glistening of the tinsel, with the peace of knowing that health is "our's", we will have hope that tonight our donor family is able to have a loving and meaningful holiday.
Keep your spirits high...robin
Friday, December 19, 2008
Changes to come---by Robin
Tomorrow, family will come to celebrate Christmas, the one I didn't think I'd be here for. I've been busy cooking and cleaning, wrapping presents and preparing for the three youngest grands to spend the week-end.
Monday, I go to Little Rock to see the doctor about starting treatment again for my hepatitis. This is met with mixed emotion as the treatment nearly killed me, two years ago. I was a rapid responder to the interferon and ribavirin so my hopes are my liver and I will successfully tolerate the medication and kill this virus.
Keep your spirits high...robin
Monday, I go to Little Rock to see the doctor about starting treatment again for my hepatitis. This is met with mixed emotion as the treatment nearly killed me, two years ago. I was a rapid responder to the interferon and ribavirin so my hopes are my liver and I will successfully tolerate the medication and kill this virus.
Keep your spirits high...robin
Monday, December 15, 2008
Holiday Thoughts.....by Deb
Holiday Stress, even gloriously happy to be here transplant recipients can feel it. Between work & holiday prep I feel it. Yesterday driving home from Christmas shopping feeling 'the Stress', one of the songs that plays on this blog came on the radio. Silent reflection hit me, in the daily rush of the season along with obligations out of my control, I miss my friend Robin & I's daily e-mails. I miss my quiet time of thought to post on our blog as I should. I miss being in contact with my family as much as usual. Then as naturally as breathing, my thoughts were directed to my donor family & the loved one that they are missing this holiday Season, the loved one they've been missing since that November day in 2005 when they lost a life & I got mine back. It would be so wonderful to somehow meet my donor's family & find a way to honor my donor. More so, at this time of year of blessings and family, that is also the anniversary of their parting this life & giving life in the process. One would be right in assuming my thoughts here are, should any donor family read this post, Thank You & May God Bless, you are a part of Miracles much like the Season. B~positive, deb
Liver Failure, Heptitis C and Online Forums---by Robin
We have had several people contact us or post comments who have Hepatitis C and are either listed for transplant or are in the process of being listed. I'd like to list some online forums that may provide additional support for them, in addition to some sites that are available for all transplant patients. If you are aware of a support group that is online, please feel free to post a comment and we will add it to the list.
WWW.HCVAnonymous.com
WWW.forums.delphiforums.com/liverfailure/start
WWW.TransplantExperience.com
WWW.HCVets.com
WWW.HepCAware.org
WWW.Transplantbuddies.org
WWW.HepCNomads.co.UK
WWW.Livertransplantsupport.co.UK
Keep your spirits high...robin
WWW.HCVAnonymous.com
WWW.forums.delphiforums.com/liverfailure/start
WWW.TransplantExperience.com
WWW.HCVets.com
WWW.HepCAware.org
WWW.Transplantbuddies.org
WWW.HepCNomads.co.UK
WWW.Livertransplantsupport.co.UK
Keep your spirits high...robin
Friday, December 12, 2008
HELP NEEDED--VA and Transplants @ UAMSC---by Robin
I have received a phone call asking for anyone who may have experience with the VA and UAMSC (University of Arkansas Medical Science Campus)solid organ transplant division, to please contact:
Ruth Cullins @ 870-897-7708 or 870-268-8740
or by e-mail @ sscmtnhome@centurytel.net or msparkmanssc@hotmail.com
This is in regards to husband/father, Terry, who is very ill and currently hospitalized in Memphis. He is in need of a liver transplant and they are having difficulty navigating the VA system to be listed in Arkansas. They have private insurance that will help with the cost in addition to VA benefits.
If you are aware of anyone who has experience with UAMSC solid organ transplant division with VA benefits, please contact the Cullins family or leave information for them. They are desperate at this time and welcome any assistance.
Ruth Cullins @ 870-897-7708 or 870-268-8740
or by e-mail @ sscmtnhome@centurytel.net or msparkmanssc@hotmail.com
This is in regards to husband/father, Terry, who is very ill and currently hospitalized in Memphis. He is in need of a liver transplant and they are having difficulty navigating the VA system to be listed in Arkansas. They have private insurance that will help with the cost in addition to VA benefits.
If you are aware of anyone who has experience with UAMSC solid organ transplant division with VA benefits, please contact the Cullins family or leave information for them. They are desperate at this time and welcome any assistance.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Busy Times and Busy Minds---by Robin
This is perhaps the busiest month of the year and I've notice quite a drop in the number of "hits" on this blog. So, I'm not sure if things have peaked and there is no longer any interest or if people are just busy.
There were so many hopes that we had when Deb and I started this web-site. We wanted to have a place to connect with not only each other but people who were traveling the same path as we did; the pathway of an organ recipient and to reach out to donor families. I question if we failed at both.
If my donor family should come across this site, I wish you well. It has been a bit over a year since you gave me life in your time of loss. Know that I will do my best to protect and care for that part of your loved one that we share.
Keep your spirits high...robin
There were so many hopes that we had when Deb and I started this web-site. We wanted to have a place to connect with not only each other but people who were traveling the same path as we did; the pathway of an organ recipient and to reach out to donor families. I question if we failed at both.
If my donor family should come across this site, I wish you well. It has been a bit over a year since you gave me life in your time of loss. Know that I will do my best to protect and care for that part of your loved one that we share.
Keep your spirits high...robin
Monday, December 08, 2008
Donor Families---by Robin
With Christmas now approaching I wonder with great frequency how my donor family is doing. It's never far from mind whether they are able to find joy in the upcoming holiday season and peace with the decision they made. There is so much I want to tell them but I fear if I ever had the opportunity, I would be at a loss for words.
I've come to think of my liver in somewhat the same sense as an adoptee must feel in their desire to meet their birth family. No, I've no "real" personal experience with adoption but I have that feeling of wanting to know about my donor and "his" family.
I don't know for sure why I say "his" but I feel that is correct. There are other things I "feel" may be factual but there is nothing to base this on. I want to know more about this person who is so very connected to me. I have a longing, an internal termoil that something is missing...information about this shared union of person and organ.
Does it make sense? Perhaps this is something that only a recipient understands. Again, I wonder does it make sense to my donor family?
Keep your spirits high...robin
I've come to think of my liver in somewhat the same sense as an adoptee must feel in their desire to meet their birth family. No, I've no "real" personal experience with adoption but I have that feeling of wanting to know about my donor and "his" family.
I don't know for sure why I say "his" but I feel that is correct. There are other things I "feel" may be factual but there is nothing to base this on. I want to know more about this person who is so very connected to me. I have a longing, an internal termoil that something is missing...information about this shared union of person and organ.
Does it make sense? Perhaps this is something that only a recipient understands. Again, I wonder does it make sense to my donor family?
Keep your spirits high...robin
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
First Anniversary Celebration---by Robin
The year is almost over and it is amazing when I think back over all the changes that have occurred in the last twelve months. Today I am in Florida with my daughter, son in law and three of my five Grandaughters where we have experienced the Magic Kingdom. I think it may be even more special in that I didn't think I would be here, much less able to ride "Space Mountain" and "It's a Small World". For this opportunity, I owe my donor family; without the gift of organ donation, I'm not sure I would have been here with them, or even be alive.
Keep Your Spirits High...robin
Keep Your Spirits High...robin
Monday, December 01, 2008
Loss of a Member of the Organ Recipients Association
JOHN HARRISON RYALS, 73, of Little Rock, Ark., went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2008. He was born on March 7, 1935, in Mena, Ark., the son of the late Frank and Leona Priddy Ryals. He was a graduate of Mena High School and worked in Central Sterile Supply at University of Arkansas Medical Sciences. He was a Christian of the Assembly of God faith. Everyone who met Mr. Ryals loved and respected him for his honesty and caring way.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Jo Ann Posey Ryals; one son, John David Ryals of Little Rock, Ark.; two sisters, Ina Jones of Waldron, Ark. and Erma Duncan of Watson, Okla.; nine nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel, (501) 224-8300, with Pastor Joe Jackson officiating. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, at Cherry Hill Cemetery in Cherry Hill, Ark., with Pastor Kenny Posey officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA), 1100 N. University Avenue, Little Rock, Ark. 72207.
From today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Jo Ann Posey Ryals; one son, John David Ryals of Little Rock, Ark.; two sisters, Ina Jones of Waldron, Ark. and Erma Duncan of Watson, Okla.; nine nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel, (501) 224-8300, with Pastor Joe Jackson officiating. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, at Cherry Hill Cemetery in Cherry Hill, Ark., with Pastor Kenny Posey officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA), 1100 N. University Avenue, Little Rock, Ark. 72207.
From today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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