Ok, I know no very good at updating anymore but I'm here again. Anyways, had a doctor checkup yesterday and it turned out very well. Bloodwork levels were all good. My white blood count 6.2, creatine 1.2 and prograf was 7 so everything is looking good there. Then pft's were up to 66%, up 4% from 2 months ago and the best to date so I was mighty happy about that. They once said they would increase up to a year from transplant. Well now its been a year and 2 months and still going upward and now they say well they can keep going up for awhihle hopefully. I just keep trying to take good as care of these new lungs as I can. Even trying to jog some on the treadmill now, just 2-3 minutes for now besides my 30 minutes of fast walking..gotta get these legs used to all that. But seems like I'm feeling as good as ever. My energy, I cant remember it even being better. Havin a great time doing my ebay business, hoping to get a regular online store in addition to my ebay stuff started one of these days too so then I dont get charged all those ebay fees! Anyways, dr appt was real good, I got back in 6 weeks for my next checkup. Ohhh about forgot even more good news! Over the last few months I had dwindled myself down on my nph insulin because my blood sugars had been getting better. Well I told the dr I was down to only 2 nph soo he said I could now try no insulin and see how it goes. So day 1, it went great, my sugars were fine. I would be so happy if i could get off that insulin, although compared to bad lungs I dont mind it a bit, but less is always more. Ok well better go for now..I'm busy researching on ebay! ha

I wanted to wish my Great Grandma Verda Comer a happy 96th birthday. Hope she had a great day today. She is 96 and doing great!
Also wanted to take a moment to talk about a girl who had the same surgery as me (bilateral lung transplant) that I found out passed away this past Friday. Laura had her transplant just a couple weeks before I did. I had rehab with her every day for almost 2 months. I was told she had developed kidney stones and then a stent for that lead to infection and then her blood was infected then that lead to more and she passed away on Friday. She was 26. Just a reminder, don't take breathing for granted, even though its the one thing we probably do the most..take care of those lungs. I'm glad she was able to enjoy her new lungs for almost a year.
As for me I'm doing fine...nothing too new to report. I have a dr checkup next Wednesday. So hope that goes well. Maybe I'll try to get a new picture on here sometime soon.

Well let's to get everyone caught up on. First off, Mel, Ryan, and Cole all come down during 4th of July weekend. So on that Saturday we all went down to the fair in St. Louis (which is called Fair St.Louis)and this is down by the Mississippi River and the arch. We watched a couple of airshows, first the single engine planes, and the second was military aircraft. Here are a few pictures from that day. The Eads Bridge is usually traveled on but they closed it down for the weekend and then call it Eats Bridge and allowed people to sit and eat meals. Oh and the very same day a Cardinals game was going on and so I snapped a picture of all the bright red cardinal fans! THis picture of my family was taken below the arch and my sister, Tiffany took the picture.













Ok the that Sunday, some of us visited St Charles. Here is a picture of the first state capital building. Did you know the state capital was first located in St. Charles and not Jefferson City?



That night we went to the fireworks show down at the arch. We heard it is the 5th largest display of fireworks in the Nation. We had to hold Baby Cole's ears because it was so loud.



Then on Thursday my dad and I went to Kansas City to the Royals game that night. They played the twins and won, woohoo!





And then Friday morning I swung by my ole stomping grounds at Children's Mercy in Kansas City to see everyone there. They hadn't seen me since i had moved here. Dr. Black had been my CF doctor for over 10 years I think. The first picture is of the whole gang at the CF clinic. I owe them all so much because they helped me get well many times over the years and also push me to get new lungs. The second of Dr. Black, and the third of Dr. Sabbath,the Cardiologist, who always exercised me on the treadmill when I was in the hospital.







It was great to see you all, was so glad I stopped by to visit. Ok then it was on to visit my Uncle Johnny and Aunt Joy in Gladstone. They hadnt seen me in over a year either so great to see them too. Then it was back to Blythedale. I went to see my Grandpa and Grandma Baxter, cousin Clint, Uncle Larry, Aunt Virginia, Uncle Bryce, neighbor Lavaughn, and Great Grandma Comer (who is the oldest woman in Ridgeway at 95 (96 on Aug 8th) and doing fantastic and even still drives and picks her own weeds!!). Then Saturday morning it was back to St. Louis. So it was a pretty quick trip but was glad to see some people I hadn't seen in a long time. Here's a few pictures of me while I was home. First is me with my nephew Cole. Oh and the last one is Cole looking pretty cool.

First of all, Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there, especially my own! Secondly, I got all my tests over with last week. Wednesday I had the chest ct scan, bloodwork, chest xray, blood gas, pulmonary function tests, ekg, and then saw the doctor, Dr. Hachem this time around. He said my ct scan looked good. My pft's were 62%, the highest to date, my previous best were 60%. I havent heard my bloodwork results yet.
Thursday I had my bronchoscopy. I havent heard any results yet on it either but when I don't that is usually good news. I was pretty knocked out that day. We got home around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, I ate a subway sandwich and went to sleep for 4 hours. I woke up and didnt even remember the ride home or eating the sandwich.
Then Friday I had a RVG scan of the heart and a bone density scan of the hip and spine. So I was glad to have all that behind me. It got me behind some in my ebay stuff but I'm caught up now. I spent Friday afternoon packaging up about 40 or 50 items and getting them out. Gotta keep those customers happy! haha
My mom and dad visited with Alan and Cindy Polley Thursday while I was having my bronch done. Hopefully with her rehab, I think she has until this next week, she will notice improvement all the time.

Ok peoples, take a look at these pictures..the first was about June 23, 2004 I think..13 days after my transplant. It was taken the day I was leaving the hospital (and to think I was actually feeling better in that first picture than I had been before my transplant). The second was taken one year later June, 2005...quite a difference a year makes when you can breath with good lungs huh
and oh yeah, my mom enjoyed making fun of me in those white tight things on my legs haha

Hey everyone...just wanted to say that I have heard Cindy Polley is doing pretty well now. I think she hopes to get out of the hospital by Tuesday or so. We hope to see her sometime soon as well as Fred & Marilyn.
Here is a picture of me below. It was just taken a few days ago. Quite a difference a year makes.

Also here is a coupel of pictures of Cole, Mel and Ryan's baby. Thought you Cardinals fans would like seeing him in his Royals gear haha! Doesn't he look good in that Royals blue!

And then here is something else for you Cardinals fans. These are a couple pictures of where they are building the new stadium downtown.

Well today, June 10, is the one year anniversary of my transplant. So a year ago today I was undergoing 6 or 7 hours of surgery, I cant remember exactly how long. But anyways, I have came quite a ways since then it seems. I will try to get a new picture of me posted on here this weekend. Just wanted to mention that. It's hard to believe a year has passed already. I guess time goes by fast when your feeling good. Also Cindy Polley had surgery Wednesday. Last I have heard see is doing ok, had a tough time one morning I think. But she had lung reduction surgery which should help her although I just don't know much about that kind of surgery. Hopefully she will recover quickly and it will be very helpful for her.

Just wanted to wish my sister Tiffany a happy 21st birthday. I think she's having a good one so far.
Also Cindy Polley will be coming to Barnes this week to have lung reduction surgery on June 8th. We all hope everything goes smooth and a quick recovery for her and it helps her a lot with how she feels.

Well I had a doctor checkup about a week and half ago and Dr. Hachem seemed to be pleased with things again. I had pft's at 60% this time which I was happy with. My previous best was 59%. My weight was the same this time, I'm up around 135 now. As you may recall when I had my surgery I was down to 103 once in the hospital there. My bloodwork all looked good except my prograf (rejection med) level was a tad bit high so they decreased my dosage just a hair and I went back this last Friday for bloodwork again but won't get results on it till Tuesday.
Tiff is also doing better. I think she only has around 3 weeks left in the back brace and then she'll start some physical therapy.
I celebrated my 29th birthday yesterday (28th). I felt much much different this birthday than last year. Spent the day with my family here, with Dad, Mom, Mel and Cole, and Tiff. So we had a nice time.
My Grandpa and Grandma Comer were down to visit the weekend before and it was real nice to see them.
I'll hopefully have some pictures up here later this week sometime. You all take care...hope all is having a good holiday weekend.

Hey everyone...I have noticed its been awhile since I update this thing again. Things have been going well with everyone lately. I have been doing fine. Everything is staying pretty consistent. My next checkup is May 18 I believe. Then in June I will have my one year testing.
Tiffany is doing better. She has to wear the brace for about 2 more months probably but is able to get up and walk fine, her back just gets to bothering her. Mel and Ryan's new baby, Cole, is doing fine. Mel has been down so I have got to see him. I have going to put a picture of him below. He likes his milk, he seems to get mighty hungry.
I seem some people have made some posts on here...Royce, sounds like a lot is coming up, busy time of the year I'm sure. The weather was real nice about a week ago then it got cooler but I think now it is suppose to warm back up so I'm looking forward to that. I have to admit I haven't been keeping up on those Cardinals much. You know me, a Royals fan, even though they are lousy. In fact, listening on the radio to them right now, looks like another loss for them.
My cousin Kelly, good to see you visited the site. You probably will enjoy the picture of Cole. Hope you are doing well too.