6 months

I had originally hoped to completed my story up until I left the hospital, before making this blog more realtime, but the telling a story that is so complicated and difficult has proven very hard for. Seeing as this is close to my 6 montshh anniversary, I have decided to forgo and more re-telling and continue on with my life as is. Rest assured, I left the hospital on Oct 17th. Even being at was a difficult time for me, and I felt like I was almost having a breakdown. But finally by the end of last year I was getting to be normal. So here it is, 6 moths. Hopefully now that I'm blogging more realtime I can post a bit more often, rather than having to wait until I feel like rehasing the painful past.

Today, March 24th is the 6 months anniversary of my heart transplant surgery and I thought this was an appropriate time for me to update everyone on my progress, especially those who are not witness to this progress, day-to-day.

After the new year, I went back to work, full-time (January 5th) to be precise. I promptly got sick, and found myself taking several sick days the first two weeks. It turned out that I had acquired a virus, but soon after I was diagnosed the symptoms went away and I thought that somehow my suppressed immune system was able to fight off the virus on it's own. Which was good, since I later learned that the treatment of this particular virus was worse than the virus itself (the word toxic was used). During this time we also discovered that I am very sensitive to hypertension medication, which was actually very scary. After nearly passing out, driving home from work, I found my blood pressure was only 94/55. My blood pressure meds were reduced (they were already at "baby" doses). I ultimately decided that I had gone back to work about 1 month too soon. This time wasn't all bad news though, by Feb 9, I had passed biopsies 6 and 7 with flying colors, and my meds were slowly creeping down. By the time of my 8th and hopefully final biospy, I was down to 7 pills in the morning and 11 at night.

By mid-Feb, though I was feeling like I was getting into the swing of things and I had finally started riding my bike around the neighborhood. Pain at the incision site was for the most part gone. I have gotten stronger everyday, and I would say I feel 95% normal.

Last Friday, I had my 8th biopsy. Dr. Barr informed , before the procedure even started, that my Prednisone level had reached its lowest level - the lifetime level. Yes, I will have to take a steroid for the rest of my life, but the good news is, that because I have reached the lowest level, I'm now officially doctor cleared to rock climb and mountain bike and any other high impact activities I want to do. The biopsy came back, and Dr. Barr informed me that it would be the last of my life - as long as I don't any serious problems. The bad news is that the blood work came back showing that I have a VERY low white blood count. Dr. Barr think that either I have become very sensitive to the immuno-suppression medication, or that another virus is the culprit. I go back to the Dr. on March 31st for more blood work, cross your fingers.

To finalize this update, I wanted to update everyone on my goals for the year:

1. Touch real rock by March - I actually already did this on Dec. 27th - I climbed a 5.7 and 5.8 at New Jack City.

I've climbed again, with my brother Jay, at Red Rocks in Las Vegas. It's coming slow.

2. Run a 5k (specifically the Donate Life Run/Walk on April 25th. Want to sponsor me? http://www.donatelifeoc.org/

I still intend to participate in this event, but I will not be able to run. My muscles are still very weak, and I can't jog very well, in addition I am still having issue with my right foot (numbness, weird sensations).

3. Finally, finally finish publishing my work on the Lenwood fault.

Work on this is moving slowly, but I have a deadline of the end of June, which should help me.

4. On July 30th, 1 year from my heart attack, I want to ride the Chumash Trail, the ride I did that same evening. http://tinyurl.com/8hgk4f

Now that I'm approved for this, I'm optimistic, but my fitness level needs to come waaaay up.

5. With much luck, stabilize my meds enough by May so that I can go to China for a wedding.

After much contemplation I came to the conclusion that this is a foolish goal and I will not be going to China. Why? Because eating in China is a dangerous proposition, even if you aren't immuno-suppresed. Sorry, but it is the truth.

6. Not miss phoning or sending a card for one single relative or friends birthday.

I have been very busy living my second life, but I don't think I've missed one yet.

7. Do everything I can to take care of my new heart.

I have been watching my diet, exercising as much as I am able, and sticking to my medications faithfully. I'm happy. What more can I do?

8. Personally thank, as many of the people who phoned, emailed, wrote on my care page or visited me in the hospital as possible.

Again, I've been busy living my second life. I have thanks a handful of people personally, but I still have many people to contact. I have not forgotten you.

I must admit, I think I have mostly recovered from the surgery, and I am now still trying to recover from everything that happened before. It is sometimes difficult for me to reconcile what I went - everyday in fact. Everyday I fight and everyday I'm happy. I know that I am changed, hopefully for the better.