Author: Stacey

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today had several encouraging moments. The first was waking up and not feeling tired, after a solid ten hours of sleep. The second, going to the track and practicing running with my friends Marty and Debra. I have cut off over a second on my 100m dash time already, and I think I could go faster, but I’ll have to work up to it. Third, I saw a job opening I am going to apply for…lastly, I am working on harder climbs in the gym now. I made it up a crimpy slab 5.10d (intermediate level)with three falls today. Even though I cannot climb them without falling, the harder climbs are fun and challenging because of the more complicated moves. Doing them is also building my finger strength back up again. Stacey, from Belmont

It was my housemate Dave’s birthday on Thursday, and I have been spending a lot of time with him this week. Thursday, I made chicken stir-fry with sweet rice wine (his favorite) and also organized a little birthday potluck for Friday with his best friends, Mark and Eva, at our house. Friday dinner was special…salmon marinated with lemon herb sauce, salad, rice, cous cous, sushi and birthday cheesecake. Afterwards, the three of them went climbing, but I went to bed as usual. Speaking of birthdays, today, Aug. 13th, is my niece Mia’s 1ST BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday, little one! Denise, give her a big hug and kiss for me! Stacey, from Belmont

One good thing that happened during the illness is that I have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with my friends lately. Their support is really helping me through this period of new beginning. Love is such a valuable thing. This week, I had long talks with Will and Robin as we met to exercise. They are helping me with physical rehab as well as just tackling life’s challenges. I really appreciate their help. Stacey, from Belmont

Will, thanks for meeting with me at the stadium. After talking with you, I was motivated to go to the track later and try some sprints. Much to my delight, I was able to run 100m in 20:57 seconds, not very fast but competitive enough to make it feel worthwhile to train for the Transplant Games in June 2006. My sister Denise was here visiting from Latvia (Eastern Europe) for the past three days. We had a great time talking, cooking, shopping, and taking nature walks together. On Wednesday, we had a leisurely breakfast, then had coffee with Aunt Lorraine. We took a walk along the lake, ate burritos and later went to the stadium and climbed the bleacher steps with Ana, Isa and Dave. Denise is in great shape. (She wasn’t even out of breath when she got to the top each time.) After the workout, we met Dave at home for a beef stir-fry dinner we prepared earlier in the afternoon. Thursday, our cousin Brenda took us to lunch at PF Changs, and then we all went shopping for shoes and the beginning of a business work wardrobe for me. We were surprisingly successful (shopping is not my strength, so they were my fashion guides.) After shopping, Brenda gave Denise an eye brow waxing, and then we went home and had dinner with Dave, and watched the Transplant Games video. Today, Friday, we went to the Sawyer Camp Trail and walked a mile along the reservoir. After the walk in the sun, I got sick for the first time since she arrived, but felt better after the air conditioner kicked in. Denise took me to lunch at Togo’s, and then we headed to the airport to drop her off. Dana, if you are reading this, I would like to wish you a very happy birthday today! We left a message for you earlier today, and Denise did receive your presents right before they left Latvia. Stacey, from Belmont