Note from Stacey

Saturday, Cindy and I climbed at the gym. I had been feeling tired but I went anyway. It is my job to climb and get stronger right now. I felt pleased to do a 5.10b which required a lot of balance with only one rest. I tried a 5.11a but it didn’t happen, so I struggled up another easier route. Earlier that day, I visited my friend David and took him to the library from the hometel apartments. David just had a double-lung transplant on July 7th, and he is doing really well! Congratulations, David! You have a strong and powerful spirit. Sunday, I had lunch with my cousin Brenda and Lorraine. It is always good to see them. After lunch, I went for a beautiful walk with my friends Jane and Miki. I have known Miki since high school and was thrilled to spend some time with her again! We talked about old times, and our 20th high school reunion that she just attended in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. We also got caught up with our current lives from the last few years. Yesterday, I went to the Heart-Lung Picnic at the home of Ted and Betty Tight. It is for transplant patients and their friends and families. So many people are dealing with life-threatening situations, and taking it with grace. I continue to learn a lot from their courage and faith, in God, themselves, and the loving relationships between family and friends that develops throughout the tranplant waiting process and recovery. In hard times, we are all striving to maintain a positive and hopeful outlook on life. For me, it is not always easy to do this; honestly, I miss my old body, full of strength and athletic energy. At 35, I was in the best shape of my life before the decline, and my career was starting to take off. But reality is that I have to adjust to my current reality whether I like it or not. Being there at the party reminded me to be grateful for what I do have… having gotten through the transplant and my first setback alive, and as my friend Isa reminded me, going back to climbing. Stacey, from Belmont