Month: April 2006

I had a fun breakfast with Mary, ten drove to Stanford for a blood draw. After the blood draw at the hospital today, I went to badminton practice. We worked on long serves. Later tonight I will climb with some friends at the gym. Stacey, from Belmont

Mary, I guess I do like to set records. If I get specific, I can make some good ones up. (Best climb in the Bay Area by a double-lung patient whose name is Stacey.) Trying to enjoy life and not think about longetivity. I’ve learned that life is unpredictable. Honestly, I’ve had a lot of dreams broken in the last couple years. I do feel sad and discouraged sometimes, and it’s hard to write about that in the journal. I want to be strong, and I don’t want to admit my weaknesses or ruin other people’s hope. But now that I am getting stronger and living more normally I am getting ready to make up some new goals. And I take life as it comes. One thing to be grateful for and look forward to is the Transplant Games. I am now making plans to go and meet my family and friends in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to badminton, I am entering a swimming relay, and will be doing the backstroke for 50m. I am also starting a summer internship with the City of San Mateo today. I will learn about some new mapping technology. Stacey, from Belmont

Felix and Mary, thanks for writing! I am excited about being able to do 5.11’s, although I still have trouble with the overhanging climbs. To make myself feel good, I do balancy 5.11’s! I have also been swimming at the Pacific Athletic Club. I am up to 20 laps, resting after each one. Since I am going to enter the swimming relay, I am going to start practicing 50m laps, since that is what I am going to do in the relay. I have also been practicing track and field with Isa and Ana. We went to the track on Saturday and she ran circles around me. It was a very cheerful and inspirational experience to watch how strong and healthy she is becoming! But we are pretty even when it comes to 100m sprints. I cannot run very fast compared to before I got sick. When I run, it feels like slow motion. But I am definitely running. It feels good to be able to run, even if it is only a short distance. I have also had to go the hospital quite often to get blood draws. I am getting used to getting stuck with the big needle. The technician reminded me that it hurts more when you watch, but I like watching the needle go in. While I was walking around the hospital, I ran into another transplant patient named Mary. I found out that she is a heart-double lung transplant patient and she has survived for 15 years. That is almost the record that I have heard of for a lung transplant recipient. She seemed healthy, but she has to come to the hospital twice a day for IV treatments. She gets attached to one of those IV poles for a couple hours. Stacey, from Belmont

On Thursday, I had a wonderful dinner with Isa and Andrew, and played with their adorable dog, Rupie. Friday, I had my monthly octreotide shot at the hospital. It was not too painful, but made me sore so I just watched at badminton practice instead of playing. Saturday, Rene and I took a walk along the Steven’s Creek trail in my old neighborhood in Mountain View. I have many memories of walking along that trail with my oxygen tanks, and it was nice to travel without all that equipment. It was the first nice day in a long time. It has been raining constantly all throughout the month of March and the beginning of April. Sunday, I spent at Twisters with Ilan, Mary and Michelle. I did a climb and much to my surprise, flashed a 5.11b! Then Rhona invited me over for lunch and then we took a walk to the Dish from her house, near the Stanford campus. Later that evening, Dave, Eva and I celebrated Eva’s birthday at my house. I made avocado and tuna sushi for the occasion. Somehow, it did not turn out too pretty but it sure tasted good. Monday, I had clinic at the hospital. The x-rays showed that the fluid is dropping so I do not have to have a thorocentesis, (tap of fluid around the lungs.) Also, my PFT showed that I am now at 63% of normal, the highest since before my setback last year. Later, I attended a support group for patients with LAM at Stanford. Tuesday, Robin took me to lunch and we had a great time! We went to Kamei Sushi Restaurant in Mountain View. It was wonderful to see her, since she is a very busy lawyer these days. Later, I climbed with Mary at Belmont. I perservered up two 50′ 5.11 climbs but fell quite a bit! Stacey, from Belmont

After badminton class today, Javier and I went to the Golden Gate Badminton Club in Menlo Park. One of the founders of the club, Mike Yang, gave me a warm welcome and offered to sponsor me for the U.S. Transplant Games. He gave me two rackets, wristbands, a shirt, a discount on shoes and a good luck bear. I am a sponsored athlete now! I would like to thank the GGBC for their generosity! Stacey, from Belmont