Yet Another Life-Changer

WE HOST MY DONOR FAMILY

When we first met Ruben's family back in April, it truly was a major event in our lives. At that occasion, we spoke with the family and all expressed an interest in future shared social opportunities. The future arrived Sunday, it arrived here at Le Chalet Springtown, and it needed some food!

After several weeks of schedule-tweaking, the much-anticipated day arrived. I have heard several donor family stories. Sometimes there never is a story, since either the family and/or the recipient do not want to meet, or they may not even wish to know who each other are. I have heard of families who smother the recipient, feeling he or she is bringing back the lost loved one. Some meetings occur but the two parties are too different to allow useful conversation. But I wasn't a bit worried, and I was 100% correct.

We had a great time, beginning the yakking at the front door and not stopping until the last taillight disappeared around the corner. And yes, it's hard to talk while running alongside a moving vehicle. But seriously, despite temperatures of over 175 degrees F it was a most fine time. Ruben's family are just as interested in eating as we are, an important factor to say the least for anyone in either clan. The kids were very fun and extremely polite, especially considering this was a "boring adult deal". Unfortunately, Mamaluz was unable to come but we were promised a sampling of her world-famous tamales soon.

We received a most gracious thank you from Patty and Lucy, mentioning that they were glad I was the recipient of Ruben's unbelievable gift. This of course really got to me, and it remains my sincere commitment to honor Ruben by being the best recipient possible.

DUCK! HERE COMES A PILE OF UPDATES!

In my own inimitable, hard-hitting and unbelievably self-serving style I will attempt to recap the many happenings since my last blog post. I have mercifully omitted many of the more mundane facts, like what I have for lunch and crap like that. If you do wanna know my lunch menu rotation, just send an SASE along with $19.99 for shipping and handling to Yours Truly, c/o Transplant Tribune, 10816 N. Rhode Island School of Design Parkway, in Ukaipa. Allow 6-8 months for delivery, and, as always, offer is not valid in Sector R. So here come those updates.......

* We missed the CTDN event at AT&T (Giants vs. Dodgers) due to "an injury" much too traumatic and hurtful to relate here (hint: it involved the Beach Boys and my ribs). If you need to know, see above ("SASE" etc.) and I'll tell you.
* We recover enough to attend an evening showing of the incredible Picasso exhibit at the De Young. Late lunch is consumed happily at our SF favorite, Nopalito, which always pleases. You should go. Send that SASE and I will review it in detail.
* I travel to Rockridge and the A Cote restaurant for a small reunion of veterans of CPMC cardiac rehab. Bonnie Jo, Jane, Bonnie B. and I enjoy an onslaught of small yet expensive plates amidst mirthful banter about "those days".
* One of the best concerts ever as I begin my birthday celebrations, is Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos at Mountain Winery, high above Saratoga. We enjoyed a marvelous dinner on the deck overlooking the entire South Bay, then entered the intimate amphitheater to enjoy the hardest-working Texican rock band in the universe. Wow! hardly describes it.


* After two years of hair pulling and gnashing of teeth we have a donor registration table at the Livermore farmer's market. Most passers-by think we are selling something, and scurry by with a "no, thanks" on their way to the corn stand. We did meet Robin, whose daughter Anna received a lung transplant and appears in The Power of Two. Also, local businessman Bill stops by and discusses his 25-year success with a heart transplant. Talk about inspirational! In general, though, this little excursion sorta sucked; we couldn't compete with the organic cherry tomatoes, even for our excellent cause.
*Strange symptoms prompt a useless visit to John Muir Concord, followed by the requisite trip to the ER at UCSF. Suspecting heart rejection, I am admitted and scheduled for a heart biopsy. After antibiotics eliminate the pain and fever, the biopsy confirms zero rejection, just a mild and unexplained lung infection.
* A most enjoyable day is had at Sveadal, near Morgan Hill, for the long-running Christian Family Reunion. Thanks to the Carlsons and Hughes for another fun event.

* The annual gathering of TRIO members for a picnic in Milpitas is again fun and flavorful.
* Another cool evening is spent at Armando's in downtown Martinez listening to the amazing Jeff Magidson Band. Jeff and his wife Isabel performed at Chris and Leslie's wedding as Duo Gadjo, and Jeff's blues band truly gets it on.
* A hot Danville night is experienced at, well, at Hot Danville Nights, naturally. Loads of classic cars and hot rods displayed all up and down the streets, after which we have a killer dinner at Laurus. I would recommend it however it has unceremoniously closed. More's the pity.
* We view the documentary Senna, an incredible story of an unusually spiritual and highly-talented Formula One driver. While decidedly not a "racing flick", it depicts the dramatic career of one of racing's acknowledged greatest. A fine dinner at Corso with Jeff and Sue F follows the intensely emotional film.
* Yr. Humble Svt's. birthday is observed with an intimate and exceptional dinner party at the home of Leslie and Chris, featuring tacos al pastor and a famous custom-designed Elspeth birthday cake.
* I dare to see Senna again, this time with newly-discovered F1 enthusiast friend Eduardo. We sample Spanish cafe con leche con afterwards and discuss the story.
* The arrival of my donor family here for food and conversation culminates a very active and happy month.

ON THE HORIZON

Soon, we will lead Team Ruben into battle at the 2011 Donate Life Walk in Fremont. There are still several slots open on our team and everyone who registers as a walker on Team Ruben will receive a very cool cap, like the one I am wearing at this very moment! But hurry, time is a-wastin'....sign up OR submit your contribution in the name of Team Ruben soon! Be sure to inform everyone you know, want to know, (or personally don't give a s**t about) to register or contribute TODAY!

The 10th of September festivities continue after the Walk with the Bay Area premiere of The Power ofTwo, based on the incredible lifelong battle of our friends Isa and Ana Stenzel with cystic fibrosis. After double-lung transplants, these twin sisters travel and speak worldwide for CF awareness and organ donation. Tickets for the two performances at the Castro theater in SF can still be had by going to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/180093

Shortly thereafter will be the rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception celebrating the marriage of Linsey F. to our fine son, Andrew. Everything will take place in Napa and we are understandably excited!

Subsequently will be a trip to Monterey for Rennsport Reunion at Laguna Seca, a vintage racing event celebrating the accomplishments of Porsche over the years. Then, it's time for the Big One......Rome to Istanbul via Oceania's Marina! Wow! again.

Bob/Irv

A Most Important Invitation from the Staff of the Trib

Please allow us to invite you to California Transplant Donor Network's Donate Life Walk 2011! The walk will be a 2-mile lap of Lake Elizabeth in Fremont, on Saturday, September 10, 2011. It starts at 8:00 am with a light breakfast and check-in, then awards and a raffle at 11:00 am. CTDN will provide event T-shirts and other goodies. We will include special swag to identify you as a proud member of Team Ruben, to honor and remember my donor, Ruben Bernal, and his wonderful family. Many family members and Ruben's friends plan to participate as well.

Simply go to the web address below to register. And please, list yourselves as participating with Team Ruben. Proceeds go to CTDN to enable them to continue facilitating transplantation and encouraging the public to register as donors. The website is located at:

www.ctdn.org...just click on the link over there on thr right-hand side of the blog!

And do feel free to send this announcement to anyone you think might be interested.....wait a minute! Send it even if you think they're not the least bit interested!!

If you can't be in Fremont for the Walk, we encourage you to donate to CTDN by going to:

www.active.com/donate/dlwalk2011

Register early! The fee goes up five bucks on August 20, so Get To It!! We also need to know how many custom Team Ruben items to order, so please don't delay!! This will be One Awesome Event, and we would love to have you share it with us AND help advance organ and tissue donation. THANKS VERY MUCH !!!

Cheryl and Bob/Irv*

* Your friendly, local, VERY grateful heart/kidney transplant recipient

Just When You Thought It Was Safe....

...TO GO BACK TO THIS BLOG AGAIN

That lurking fin turns out to be nothing more than another evil, waterlogged edition of your Transplant Trib. So come back to the beach, don't be afraid, and put those harpoons down before you hurt somebody. OK, that's better..

DR. YY COMES THROUGH AGAIN

Many times during our Travels in Transplantland, I have come face-to-face with a truly mazing interventional cardiologist generally known as Dr. YY. Since he hangs out in the cath lab at UCSF, I have been his supine patient there for most of my pre-transplant invasive heart procedures. His was the first face I recognized as I was violently resuscitated from my famous Code Blue episode, and on several occasions he would come by my room on his way home after a long day to chat and ensure my well-being.

Now that heart problems are thankfully behind me, the focus has shifted to peripheral vascular disease. I have had a bypass on my right leg, courtesy of Drs. Eddie R and Charles E four years ago. Shifting over to the left side, Dr. E did discover major blockage behind the knee requiring angioplasty and placement of a bendable stent. This procedure is somewhat difficult due to the location, but as always Dr. YY was "The Man" and it went very well.

The images of before and after were dramatic. "Before" looked like a tiny creek with a beaver dam in it. "After" looked like the Mighty Mississippi in comparison. I have had instant results in lower leg fatigue and even the burning sensation I had in my foot is better. The blockage had been developing so long that it was literally as hard as a rock and required skillful "drilling" to avoid a disastrous arterial rupture. Thanks again to Dr. YY and all my good buds in the cath lab...you guys ROCK, as usual. After one night's respite on 10 Long (AND French toast!) we were hairy flatters back to the 'burbs.

HEY, NOW I AM A "SPEAKER"

I am putting my hand up for every CTDN opportunity I can. Last week I did three, starting with the Run to the Lake put on by Eden Hospital in Castro Valley. This marked the one-year mark for our participation, as the last Run was our very first event for CTDN. An annual nursing education class on organ procurement takes place at VA Hospital, Palo Alto, and I addressed three sessions on the experiences of a recipient

I spoke to a group of high school students attending a Summer conference at UC Berkeley along with Laura S. and my good buddy, young Alphonso G. Laura is a clinical liaison, who is alerted by nursing when a donor situation may be imminent, at which time she evaluates the patient and coordinates the process should organs become available. Very incredible job, and she is a seriously knowledgeable and capable part of the transplant process at a most crucial stage.

Alphonso is 17, and had an emergency liver transplant two years ago due to a rare ailment that causes failure from excessive copper in the liver. He was told if an organ wasn't procured in 48 hours, he would die. Imagine being 15 and having this prognosis. Thankfully, the transplant did happen and now he is involved with CTDN. We have jointly done several educational sessions, and it is magical to see him talk to groups of kids about his experiences. Great guy, and he will be throwing out the first pitch at AT&T this week before the Giants maul the Dodgers. We'll be there too with several info booths. Should be a pretty cool day (literally, that's Summer in The City!) and we look forward to being at the Old Ball Game.

Hey, by the way, here's some baseball trivia: know how the Dodgers got their name? Well, back at the turn of the century (the 20th, that is) seems the Brooklyn baseball club was called the Trolley Dodgers due to the many streetcars in that city. Later the Trolley part kinda dropped off and hence, the Brooklyn Dodgers! And you thought I didn't know anything about baseball, eh? And no, I knew that, I didn't Google it just to show off. So there.

WAIT, BOB/IRV; WHAT ABOUT THE BEACH BOYS??


Oh yeah, nearly forgot about that. You might recall we had some unusual weather late last month, and the day of the concert was the most unusual with pretty serious rain all day. Wente Vineyard's concert policy is "rain or shine", and for the first time in 25 years it was, in fact, "rain". As we proved years ago with our completely soaked Rolling Stones adventure at the Colisseum, we are true fans. While many of the snobby wine-sipping weenies bolted for the comfort of the champagne cellars, we held fast to our wide open position in the Peanut Gallery. Neither rain, nor hail, nor dark of night could deter us from massively enjoying the Boys, uh, or rather, the Boy since only Mike Love remains from the original Wilson brothers (and cousin Al Jardine) who we loved back in The Day.

A pleasant surprise was the presence of actor John Stamos, a truly talented drummer, guitarist and singer who regularly tours with the Beach Boys. The rest of the band was awesome and totally expert at producing those incredible sounds. All the great tunes were done, and we screamed out Help Me Rhonda at the top of our lungs while rain water filled our open mouths. While as a youth I never surfed (can't swim, hate the beach), had a hot rod (I took the bus), or engaged in any meaningful romance (sorry Gina), it didn't stop me from being a big fan then and now. Very fun evening despite all the mud in the parking lot.

After five years of desperate anticipation, the world has been blessed with the debut of Cars 2. Our nephew Will Caples is a dedicated fan, who can identify all the characters and quote pretty much the entire script. So it seemed a cinch to accompany him and his parents to this new one. Well, he was quite skeptical of his ol' Uncle Irv, but after a small bit of motherly/fatherly explanation, I was given Will's blessing.

We chose to experience the film at the Dublin Imax 3D mega-theater (see accompanying photo). Initially, Will was a bit overwhelmed by the THX sound, the 3D and the huge Imax image. He got used to everything but the 3D glasses, so no permanent harm was done (I hope). As for the movie, it was somewhat "angrier" than Number One and the story was more complex. The visuals were spectacular and the references to real motoring facts were sometimes fairly subtle but quite clever nonetheless. It was very cool to see and hear a few real racers, like Lewis Hamilton, Jeff Gordon, Darrell Waltrip and David Hobbs doing their things. The movie and the subsequent BBQ at the Grandparents' home made for a great Sunday.



SO, WHASSUP NEXT?

This week I will take on my exersize physio and F1 fan buddy Kyle at the indoor go-kart place for a bit of friendly dicing on the track. Cheryl and I will happily provide donor information at the ball game as mentioned, followed the next day by a viewing of the Picasso exhibit at the DeYoung. I will join three of my former California Pacific cohorts for a mini-reunion, and the next week we are excited to be seeing Los Lonely Boys at the Mountain Winery. And finally, after over a year of intense negotiations with the powers that be, Cheryl and I will be able to appear at our very own Livermore Farmer's Market with a donor info table. So another busy month, to be sure.

Sure hope you have enjoyed this little July Edition of the Trib. No cellphone taps were used in the production of this blog, and no animals were harmed. And, oh yeah, this post was manufactured on equipment shared with peanuts. You've been suitably warned.

Bob/Irv