Note from Mary

HI Stacey, Yes, I think you will win any “double lung tx named stacey” awards. Now that the weather is nice We will have to get together so I can give you (and any of your friends) some swimming help!!(of course you have to find your wet suit…) Mary, from Palo Alto

Note from Stacey

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

Note from Stacey

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

Note from Mary

You sicko! how can you watch the needle go in!!! I always always always look away until it goes in. I don’t even like seeing the blood come out. Of course, I do donate platelets, but that is totally different! Knowing you, you will break the transplant longevity record just because you like to break records… 🙂 Mary

Note from Stacey

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

Note from Felix

Hi Stacey! Congrats on your recent PFT test. That is very encouraging. Also, that you have been winning games in badminton makes me smile. I am pretty astounded you can do 5.11’s again. I am still stuck at 5.10 out here. I’d like to think that maybe things are rated harder at the gym out here than CityBeach, but can’t really tell for sure. Pretty demoralizing! Anyhow, keep up the good work and talk to you soon! love, -felix, from Fort Collins

Note from Mary

HI stacey, I think it was resting you were doing, not falling, and I certainly didn’t venture on the 5.11s!!! you rock! I hope you had fun with the sheclimbers tonight 🙂 Mary, from Palo alto

Note from Stacey

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

Note from Stacey

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