Actually it's the winner in this year's Lying Contest or some nonsense like that. Thankfully, Cheryl Cook was fortunately (for me) not a psychic, or she would have run, quickly, in the other direction that fateful day in the Dining Commons. Not that I was repulsive or anything (I hope) , but she woulda foreseen years of diabetes, kidney failure, heart failure and hissy fits in her (our) future. But, on the other hand, she woulda seen two extraordinary kids with extraordinary partners, a load of incredible friends, an actual vacation or two, and gobs of really cool cars. Not that anyone in the Cook family (especially Robin) gave a damn about cars (Bill did like Thunderbirds though) OR me, but eventually Cheryl came around to my odd way of thinking automotively. Which meant going into unreasonable debt purchasing and servicing some really stoopid cars. But the great memories still remain, especially for ol' Wolfgang the Porsche Mechanic who was able to retire to the Bahamas on what we spent over there.
WELL, NOW THAT I HAVE THAT OFF MY CHEST...
It is currently popular to review all kinds of things relating to this past year, and as everyone knows by now, I wanna be popular, so I am, as we speak, dreaming up a list of my own. So once again, please keep your hands, arms, and any other unspecified appendages inside the vehicle, take small children firmly by the hand, and LET'S GO!
January: John Muir/Concord for dialysis graft repair, then admitted. Out one day, back in UCSF that night. This time to stay until the transplant happens.
February: The 9th is The Big Day of the Year; Transplant Time is here! We have to miss Elton and Billy but are glad Jen and Paul enjoy our tickets. Discharged from the hospital to 2000 Post. Leslie's birthday..I spend Super Bowl Sunday in the ER with leaky wounds, but could give a s**t less about football. I did enjoy the Daytona 500 in CCU, however.
March: Convalescing at 2000 Post, admitted on the 1st and the 10th, cannot remember why. Leaking wounds, maybe?
April: Home from 2000 Post. Big family BBQ, featuring David, Jennifer and Diana from FL. Eagles at HP Pavilion; AWESOME!
May: Our anniversary. Dash to ED at UC, turns out to be a kidney infection; admitted. Same later in the month, discharged just in time for The Henry 150 celebrating Mom's 89th and Dan's 61st birthdays. Indy 500 and GP of Monaco are other highlights.
June: Accidentally, we are invited to the California Transplant Donor Network picnic, which is phenomenal. So we join up! We make another attempt at visiting Aunt Bessie in Long Beach, and this time, no hospitals!
July: We staff our first CTDN event at Eden Hospital. Another kidney problem takes us to the ED and subsequent admission. Out in time for The Big Schnurr BBQ, but back to UC the same night with more kidney adventures. I write a letter to my donor's family.
August: Visit from Kelly, Oscar and the Girls all the way from Spain. We go to the TRIO picnic for the first time. And, our first race since the transplant, the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. We attend with the Frateses and Chaws, and have a ball. Visit to MOMA and unreal dinner at the Slanted Door courtesy Dan and Carol. We rock out to ZZ Top at Wente after celebrating my (and Kelly D.'s) birthday(s).
September: We take in the show at Armando's for the first time, and do another CTDN info table in Martinez.
October: Everyone celebrates Andy's 30th BD. CTDN training in Walnut Creek, and then a donor info event in Concord. Our first aborted vacation plan, a Tauck Tour of the Southwest. We substitute a short trip to Tahoe in the S2000, followed by a biopsy and three days on 9 Long at UCSF for kidney rejection. But we do get to go to a rockin' wedding, that of Elliott and Alicia Hughes. Our Halloween outfits elicit gales of laughter from all three people shopping at 11:00 pm in Safeway. We graciously receive almost five "kids" at the door asking for candy.
November: Gala tour of Muir/Concord's new ER and Heart Institute. Little did we know that later in the month, I would be a client of the same ER. Our second aborted vacation as I am not permitted to join Cheryl in Las Vegas and visit my old roomie, Larry "Flash". Thanksgiving in Capitola is glorious, but missing the Auto Show is not (leg problem).
December: We observe Chanukah at the community Menorah-lighting in San Ramon. Alex and Rita visit The Gang with an extraordinary dinner at JP and Cora's. We are literally blown away by Isa Stenzel Byrnes and the bagpipe and drum corps. Our first TRIO dinner as a recipient! We ride the Sunol-Niles Holiday Train. Another interfaith choir recital at the Mormon church
,thanks to our good friend Charlotte. The Cardiac Rehab annual luncheon is followed by a repeat visit to Armando's. Cheryl turns 60!! A truly outstanding Christmas at the P. & R. Caples'. I pen a Holiday letter to my donor family. Another CTDN opportunity, this time in Santa Cruz. New Year's Eve spent quietly with Dan and Carol, dining at Esin. What a month, and what a finish to a memorable year.....January 1, 2011: We start off the year big-time with the Hangover Party at the Chaw's in Berzerkely....fun!
Of course I do not want to fail to mention great Dinners with the Gang, innumerable doctor appointments and medical tests, more than plenty hospital admissions and visits, great dinners with friends, grand reacquainting with my beloved S2000, delight with our new Honda Fit, and the overriding euphoria of just being around this year.
Thanks to everyone, far and wide, for quite a 2010. And the forecast for 2011? Sunny, clear and mild....can't wait.
Bob/Irv
That was a very quick qwrap up of the year for all that you have gone through!
ReplyDeleteI like the new background, and I knew it was beer right away (knowing how much you like it!).
Just saw this comment; I have not checked or done a blog all month. Yeah, I like an occasional brewski, but not many, say the Transplant Team. Great seeing you and Dad last night. See you out on the Transplant Turnpike, which is already in progress....
ReplyDelete