SPEAKING OF THAT SUMMER LOVE
Summer, Schlummer...it's a year-round love. I'm talking about our great son Andrew J. and his beautiful bride, Linsey MOSS! Wow, that sounds good to me! In a truly memorable and well-organized series of fabulous events, Linz and Andy became a married couple at the Napa Valley Country Club last Saturday Sept. 17. The setting was breathtaking, the weather most cooperative, and the resulting celebration superb. What a handsome couple they are.
Our responsibility was to stage the rehearsal dinner, a duty we took on with delight and gusto. I used to know a guy named Gusto, but that's not important now. At any rate, after much careful scrutiny we selected Filippi's in Napa for the event. This establishment is well-known for traditional Italian dishes and KILLER pizza. By killer, I mean that in the most positive way. Fifty of us greatly enjoyed the dinner and the gracious and very attentive staff. It was an excellent intermingling of families, and as de facto Master of Ceremonies, I believe a grand time was had by all.
ONWARD TO NAPA VALLEY CC
The ceremony was held overlooking one of the fairways which provided a glorious backdrop. Linsey looked spectacularly beautiful as she walked down the aisle accompanied by dad Bob Fluken. Andy looked equally great, as we don't see him dressed to this level very often. We made our way to the club banquet area for a delicious meal and some very great tributes to the bride and groom.
The action got going right away as Mark the DJ started the music. Everyone was HELL of rocking out on the dance floor, and yes, I must admit, we eagerly participated. It went on until midnight, way past the bedtimes of a large number of attendees. So we gathered up some of the delightful wedding cupcakes and retired, worn out but glowingly happy. Thanks go to Cindy and Bob Fluken, Linz and Andy for organizing a terrific event.
SATURDAY NIGHT'S (NOT) ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING
Going back in time one week finds us deep in transplant activities. The very first Donate Life Walk took place early Saturday morning Sept. 10, and it's course was one lap of Lake Elizabeth in Fremont. Many teams were formed, including Team Ruben which we organized to honor and remember my donor. We were able to sign up 29 walkers from our friends and relatives, and were pleased to have members of Ruben's family in that group of 29 as well. Even Ruben's mom came to see the event. We had Team Ruben hats made and walked under large Team Ruben signs. It was fantastic.
Completing this awesome day was the Bay Area premiere of The Power of Two. We attended the pre-screening reception, and were greeted graciously (as always) by our friends Ana Stenzel and Isa Stenzel-Byrnes (who by the way was a Team Ruben member). This documentary describes Ana's and Isa's long battle with cystic fibrosis and their subsequent lung transplants and international efforts promoting organ donation and CF awareness. VERY remarkable and emotional film, and Cheryl and I were in the credits for the assistance we were able to give to help support the movie. A lively Q & A session followed, with the twins, Isa's husband Andrew Brynes, and the director, Marc Smolowitz. Again we arrived home late but very satisfied with our day's activities.
BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND.......
Last Sunday after the wedding we attended a lunch at the very beautiful home of Cindy and Bob Fluken in Napa. For some reason I could barely stay awake, and ditto for the gift-opening and the ride back to Livermore. Took a nap when we got home, then experienced the same phenomenon Monday. It totally sucked since Diana, Don and nephew David from Florida were staying with us. I just was completely tired all day.
Finally Tuesday I shared this with my transplant coordinator. When I told her I was at a wedding and had contact with many people, handshaking, hugging and kissing, she went silent for about a minute. Then she uttered those famous words "You better get in here now". So here I am, blogging my kishkies out on 10 Long, my second home. I was admitted Tuesday evening, and awoke Wednesday feeling fresh and energetic. That condition of normalcy continues to this very moment.
So you are wondering, "What the hell is wrong with Bob/Irv?" Well, none of the intensely brilliant medical minds here at UCSF know. After many studies, all indicating nothing wrong, here I sit awaiting yet another visit with my good friends in the cath lab. Dr. D. wants to positively rule out rejection which I am sure will be Zero R, or at the most 1R which means there is little if any rejection of my heart. But it means another long day with no food and long waits for the biopsy procedure, the pathology, and then (hopefully) that slow discharge process. I just had a chat with Dr. J. who assured me I would not be here Saturday. If I miss the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend, it WILL be a night for fighting (get a little action in).
All in all, it has been a remarkable coupla weeks, with events that I can recall with pride and pleasure. That's all good, as Andy would say.
Bob/Irv
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