Aunt Carol, thank you so much for checking in! It is great to hear from you. I am at the college right now, intent on learning the finer points of the Windows operations system. It is all quite basic, but important. I’m trying to improve my computer skills for a better career in the future, when I get off disability next year. Badminton is challenging. Some of the better players know how to place the shots so I have to run around a bit. It’s tiring but fun! Today, my partner Cindy and I barely lost to Orlando and Rich, 17-15. We came up from trailing by 8 points! The instructor and classmates are understanding, and let me rest if I get out of breath. Job-hunting is going pretty well. I have been offered one part-time position so far, and I have another interview on Thursday. Stacey, from Belmont
Note from Aunt Carol
Dear Stacey, I am sorry it has been so long since you heard from me. My daughter-in-law cleaned up my computer and accidently turned off my internet access. I tried over and over but could not find a fix. I hated to bother her again as she has been promoted to Director of Nurses and does a lot of work at home on her laptop. Today my internet provider (here in town) called me and worked it out. Yea! It is so good to be back on line. I am seriously considering a computer class at the Career Center about 20 miles away. I am so glad to read how busy you are and how hard you work at recovery. Of course it is no surprise! You make me ashamed of my whining. I also am keeping busy. Right now I am laundering the winter concert uniforms for my grandson’s high school band. I was really busy this summer with 4-H sewing and craft projects with grandkids. They also have dairy animals in my barn and got some great trophies and showmanship awards. I also have a new pastime of helping raise a kitty whose mother was shot. We found two kittens in the shed. One kitten disapeared last week. I think a racoon did something to him. I go to the barn twice a day to play with Ferdy and she seems to think I am her Mom. I named her that when I thought she was a boy. Now her name is Ferdy Elise in honor of the piece by Beethoven named Fur Elise. I still have the stained, torn sheet music that I played from for a piano recital as a child. Since I was never fond of cats and am allergic to them I feel slightly silly over my affection for this creature. I wrote to make sure you know that even tho you haven’t heard from me, you are alway’s on my mind and in my heart. Love, Aunt Carol, from Michigan
Note from Stacey
This weekend I went to the stadium with Austri, Mark, and Dave and completed a record number of sets, 15. I did them very slowly and rested a lot, but I was proud of myself. I’ve also started writing about my transplant experience. It is complicated to re-live the experience and put it into words, but in a way it is therapeutic. Last Friday, I had my monthly shot. The nurse took pity on me when she saw how big the needle was, and found a smaller one to use to administer the shot. I was grateful! After climbing with Rhona today, (Monday) I will have a photo shoot for the Planet Granite Gym on-line newsletter. They are doing a profile on me for this month. Stacey, from Belmont
Note from Felix
Wow, you have been really busy, Stacey! Good luck with all of that. Please take good care of yourself while achieving your goals. Miss you! love -felix, from WA
Note from Stacey
Life is getting very hectic for me. I have two classes at the College of San Mateo, and I’ve been training at the track and the climbing gym every day. Most days I have been exercising two or three times! I am also job-hunting in earnest, going to informational sessions and filling out applications at various organizations. In addition, I have quite a few medical appointments and obligations. It is great to be feeling well enough to do all these things, although it is a struggle to be fast-paced. Stacey, from Belmont
Note from Stacey
Denise, what cute news about Mia! Thanks for stopping by the site. I’m starting to have more energy, and things are getting more social now. I’m trying to eat more and gain some weight. Sunday night, I had dinner with Cindy and Guy. We had pork chops, shrimp, soup and corn. Monday, I had homemade pizza with Dave and Tuesday, burritos with Dave and Robin. Monday, I also started a computer class called Windows Fundamentals I, and spent the afternoon at the College of San Mateo. Tuesday, Rhona came over for gen mai tea (brown rice tea) and then we climbed together with Fitz. I tried some difficult overhang climbs and ended up resting a lot on the rope! I’m also doing a little speed climbing for aerobic exercise. It gets me breathing hard and opens up my lungs. Stacey, from Belmont
Note from Denise Wirth
Hi Stacey, You sound great and it was fun to talk with you last night. I agree that it is best for you to focus on health and personal development at this stage, and stick to your doctor’s advice about being extra extra careful until at least a year after the setback – which means next spring. Another setback would be frightening, letting your body heal from the last episode is the best thing you can do for yourself. It’s great that you are keeping focused on this. Mia had her one-year physical last week and she is 9.5 kilos and 75 cm. That’s a nice size. She is a climbing maniac. I never saw a one-year old that could climb so well. She must get it from you. She is always on a table or chair and she even tried to climb a ladder. If you give her a toy she will try to climb on top of it (ball, truck, barn, whatever). That girl is a sheclimber! Love you lots, Denise Wirth, from Riga
Note from Stacey
Karen, thank you so much for writing! I’ll be in touch with you the next time I go to the UU Church. I’ve been keeping busy lately. Wednesday, I met Greg, Ana and Isa to do stadium steps. I did 10 trips up and down, running 50 out of 80 stairs on the last one! Isa did 10 with a 25-lb backpack, training for their 8-mile backpacking trip this weekend. Thursday, I saw Vinita and Zenid at the gym again, and climbed mostly 5.10’s. Friday, I signed up for a badminton class at the College of San Mateo. It was fun. I’m going to take a computer class as well. Saturday, I met Greg and Mike at the track. We practiced running…I did a workout of 8 sprints within a mile of walking. Then we all did the long jump. I saw some improvement, but I have a long way to go! Today, Sunday, I walked the dish with Sharon. It is a 3.5 mile loop. At first, I didn’t feel like I could do it, because I was feeling tired, but Sharon is really good company and before I knew it, we were over halfway done and past the turning back point. It was beautiful as usual, with perfect weather, and we had the privilege of seeing a group of three deer grazing happily by the side of the trail. Stacey, from Belmont
Note from Karen Skold
Hi, Stacey– I’ve been thinking about you recently and decided to check your website to find out what’s up. Sounds like you are doing great now. I’m so sorry I missed you when you came to the UU church a few weeks ago. That was one Sunday I missed because of sleeping late! I hope I will see you there again. Could you send me an email when you plan to go so I will know to look for you? <[email protected]> If you happen to come on Sept 4 (Labor Day weekend), you will definitely see and hear me, because I will be playing the prelude, offertory, and postlude on my trumpet. Just in case you and your friends aren’t climbing next Sun afternoon, I am playimng in a community band concert at 3pm in Spangenberg Aud at Gunn HS. I’s free, and we are a pretty good band for amateurs. You are invited! Karen Skold
Note from Stacey
Felix, its great to hear from you! It sounds like you are having fun on your trip. Rehab is going better. Yesterday, I met with Will Bowers at the track and he had me do lots of drills to improve running technique. We also did assessment tests, including the “Flying 30” and the standing broad jump. I climbed with Vinita and Zenid last night. It was really rewarding and challenging, because I have started to play on the 5.11’s. I am managing to get to the top with minimal cheating and some hang-dogging (resting on the rope.) Today, I am off to make copies of a resume so I can find a good part-time job, and I am going to swing by the community college to see if there are any interesting classes I can sign up for… On a spiritual note, a couple weeks ago I went to the Unitarian Church in Palo Alto. The topic of the sermon was “compassionate non-violent communication.” The speaker had us do an exercise in which we imagined someone we are having trouble with and, before lashing out in anger or giving the silent treatment, close our eyes and try to imagine what it must feel like to be the other person in this situation and to think of how we can act compassionate. Whew! Pretty tough task in most cases, but in cases like life-long family relationships, mighty important…in most cases, the relationships are worth saving. Stacey, from Belmont