Category: Random Musings

Felix, thank you for fixing up the site to keep away the spammers. Also, thank you for sponsoring Josh! I received the check today. Tori, I really like the new picture gallery. After the climb-a-thon, I had to rest up for a few days! I am now in the process of wrapping up details for the climb-a-thon, and thanking all the wonderful volunteers and climbers who helped make it a success. On December 5th, I attended a Lam support group meeting. We had the pleasure of having social worker Allyson Rupp at this meeting to facilitate the discussion. I also really appreciate the support of the Lam members at the Mt. Everest Challenge. Dec. 8th, Ana, Isa and I attended the TRIO (Transplant Recipients International Organization) holiday dinner. It was a beautiful dinner, and we all put ornaments on a tree to honor our donors. Stacey, from Belmont

Update on the Climb-a-thon: Due to scoring miscalculations, we have now determined that Joshua Levin,11, was the climber who achieved the most vertical feet in the Mt. Everest Challenge (4182′) Congratulations, Josh! Greg Schaffer,62, the second highest fund-raiser and oldest climber in the event, (he climbed 3400′)is actually setting routes for Twisters, and is no longer an owner of Planet Granite. His current project is designing a gym in Austin, which is planned to be the biggest gym in the country. Stacey, from Belmont

Felix, I really appreciate your work on the website, and sponsoring Joshua! I am looking forward to posting pictures again. Thanks to our sponsors, hard-working climbers and volunteers, and the warm-hearted climbing community, the Mount Everest Challenge 2005 was a great success. The 34 climbers lifted my spirits 42,180 feet. That’s the height of Mt. Everest(29,035 feet) and then some! It was a terrific way to celebrate my first year of life after the transplant. The donations are still coming in. So far, I know the climbers raised over $6500, including $540 towards a trip to the U.S. Transplant Games in Louisville, Kentucky, June 16-21. However, I think the grand total might be closer to $7000 or $8000 by the time everyone is done collecting from their sponsors. The Lam Foundation also raised $325 from the rope raffle and wreath sales in our search for a cure. There were 20 adult climbers and 14 kids. Planet Granite Youth Team had the highest amount of vertical footage (8648′), Twisters came in second (3800′), and the Summit Party from Touchstone came in third (3080′). I was especially happy to see members of my old team there (Joshua Levin, Blake Tacklind, Tevis Nichols, and Heather Ostrau.) Joshua Levin was the highest youth fundraiser (over $500) and youth climber with the most vertical feet (4182′) which was also second overall. PG Member Kathy Alberts was the highest fundraiser. She raised $1840 in 5 days, and had 52 sponsors. Joshua Pendergrass, from Twisters, climbed the greatest number of vertical feet (4400′) and was also the highest fundraiser from Twisters, bringing in $515. Greg Schaffer, one of the owners of Planet Granite, was the biggest individual donor ($1000.) I’d also like to thank the generous volunteers, especially special guest climbers Hans Florine and Scott Cory, who on-sighted the hardest route (13b)in the gym during the event. Their movie, “Wall Rats,” was very interesting. Jennifer Cory did a great job with the silent auction, and Sandy Ostrau did beautiful work on the t-shirts. Dave Allen, Carrie Levin, Stephanie Rowe, Robert Breyer and PG manager Lucas Marciniak, and Twisters manager Jess McCauley were all instrumental in making the event a success. Thanks also to the T-shirt sponsors: Planet Granite Climbing Gym, Twisters Climbing Gym, Medical Plaza Pharmacy, Turner Designs Hydrocarbon Instruments, Alala Women’s Mountain Adventures, and the Original Underwhere Company. Stacey, from Belmont

I got an e-mail from a young climber friend traveling in South America. On her trip she has been ill several times, and wrote to me her thoughts about mortality. It was a surprising letter coming from someone so young. Looking back, I know I never thought about these things until I was diagnosed with a terminal disease at age 35. As a lung transplant patient, I am part of a community that lives with the stress of getting sick very easily, rejection, and death within a handful of years. I have recently heard that one woman who had her transplant two years ago is now back on oxygen, experiencing rejection, and waiting for a second transplant! At the support group meeting yesterday, a man who had a transplant at Stanford just died only three months out. So this letter about mortality set me thinking again. As the support flows in for the climb-a-thon this Sunday, I feel privileged to have the respect and love of the community. It really makes life fun and meaningful. I want to show my appreciation with my thoughts, which I put in words to my traveling friend. Here is an excerpt from my letter: When I got ill with LAM, I tried to figure out what the grand plan was…why was I chosen to have this disease, go through a transplant, and face death early? It turns out that I have been able to draw the local climbing community’s attention to compassion for the sick, to look for courage not only on the rocks but also in fighting the fear of death. When I was waiting for a transplant, months away from possible death, I spent a lot of time trying to develop inner peace. It the larger scheme of things, all beings live and die. It has been like that for millions of years. Achieving peace would mean that no matter what happened, my spirit would be okay. Reading about Taoism helped me. In Taoism, the only truth is that everything changes. Isn’t that true. Facing mortality is also a great way to realize what is worth living for…and valuing the quality time we have with friends and family while we are on Earth. Love can pull us out of the depths of depression, and it can be what makes life worth living. I have experienced this first-hand in the last couple years. Some of my most special moments of my life were when I was lying in a hospital bed, visiting with my mom, my family, or friends. I am so grateful to those who showed they cared. Thanks for reminding me to think deeply. -Stacey, from Belmont

Mari, thanks for stopping by the site! I hope to see you this Sunday. Things have been really busy for me. I have been busy juggling my classes, organizing the climb-a-thon, and climbing. It has been a lot to handle, but I am really looking forward to the event on Sunday. On Nov. 19th, I had the privilege of participating in the Twisters ABS bouldering competition. I was really impressed with the event. The new manager, Jess McCauley, really did a great job putting together the comp. There were over 80 boulder problems, a barbeque, a raffle, and even a band after hours! It was a good way to showcase the rennovations that have been made in the last couple years…there is more climbing space now, but the event was publicized so well the comp was very crowded. It was great to see the Twisters kids from my old team, now incredibly strong teenagers, climbing hard and enjoying themselves. There was a good variety of climbs in the beginning and intermediate range, and I had fun competing even though I wore a paper mask to help shield myself from germs. It was hard to breathe with the mask on, and the power moves were difficult. I also avoided any climbs that were over 10 feet, or looked like I would not be able to do without falling. This careful approach certainly did not lead to a very high score, but I felt safer. I don’t want to have an injury and become disabled again…and be a burden to my friends and out of climbing again. It will take a while to be able to climb strongly again. Before the transplant, one of my doctors said, “It’s too bad they don’t have climbing in the Transplant Games.” I told her I was going to enter regular competitions! Now I’ve done it! -Stacey, from Belmont

I want to share with you a very insightful card given to me by Joshua Levin on my transplant birthday. Though Joshua is only 11 years old, he is able to understand me in a unique way. I was really touched. I remember being 11 years old and wanting my adult friends to tell me their real feelings…often much to my avail. Joshua, you have my respect. His card reads: Dear Stacey, “This time, one year ago, you went through one of the biggest and most dangerious events in your life. It marked the birth of the new Stacey, the one that is in you today. That day not only marked your new physical bieng, but your emotional bieing as well. So today, as we look back one year ago, will celebrate, and remember that day, the day of your new life. Happy Anniversary, Stacey!” Joshua also brought me a “Kids of Climbing” calendar. He is featured as the June boy, and he looks very focused and strong. When I see his picture, it is hard to believe what an incredible climber he is becoming, and I am very proud to have been his first coach. Stacey

Denise, thank you for your lovely note! It has been quite a year. One of my most vivid memories was waking up in the ICU with new lungs, waving to all the doctors and nurses, and furiously writing notes to my friends, excited to be alive. This was followed by a difficult two-week hospital stay of no sleep, sweating in bed, and dramatic mood swings…and kind visits from family and friends. Then came the rigorous schedule of daily hospital appointments, nutritious, gourmet meals prepared by my mom, and an ambitious self-motivated rehab program consisting of first walking, then climbing hundreds of flights of stairs…usually with Dave by my side. I took many long nature walks with my mother, too. At 3 months post-transplant, it was back to the hospital again, for a visit to the ICU, two months in bed with nausea, plus a second surgery…and various friends and family visiting. Those visits were really memorable. Then I started a second recovery, a bit slower than the first, gradually getting back into active life again. The most wonderful thing about this recovery was getting back into climbing again, and being able to spend time with friends at the gym. The setback left me with 50% lung capacity, enough to do daily activities but limiting in sports. The year has had its ups and downs, and Tuesday I was taken out to Thai dinner to celebrate the one-year milestone. Carrie, Richard, Joshua, Yuri, Dave and Lorraine shared this special day. On this Thanksgiving day, I am thankful to my donor, for giving me new life. I am also grateful to my mother and Dave for taking such good care of me after the transplant, and to all the thoughtful climber friends who visited me, or donated to my medical fund. I am glad my transplant friends have made it through the first year (30% don’t!) I am thankful to my cousin Brenda, who provided a beautiful, delicious Thanksgiving meal and a lovely gathering with my Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Ron, too. Stacey, from Belmont

Here is an announcement about the Dec. 4th Climb-a-thon, a very important community fund-raiser. It is a celebration of my first year of life after the transplant and the main source of raising the thousands of dollars in medical funds I will need for next year. Plus, it will be lots of fun and you can get great deals on clothing and gear at the silent auction! If you are unable to attend, but interested in sponsoring a climber, please let me know! There are many climbers who need sponsors and will not be able to participate without your help. Join us for the 3rd Annual Mt. Everest Challenge! We are looking for a team of 29 climbers to climb over 1001 feet each to reach a team goal of 29,035 feet. It is a fun event to help Stacey raise funds, celebrate her first year of living after the critical double-lung transplant, and raise awareness about organ donation and the rare lung disease she had before the transplant (LAM.) What: A climb-a-thon, silent auction, and movie featuring world-renowned Hans Florine and Scott Cory, who climbed El Cap at age 11. Date: Sunday, Dec. 4th, 2005. Climbing will be from 2-5 p.m. Dinner and movie to follow. Where: Planet Granite Belmont Gym, 100 El Camino Real (www.planetgranite.com) Cost: Registration is free for PG members. Day pass required for non-members. Adults, $17. Students, $9. How to do it: 1)Contact Stacey at [email protected] to get registration materials 2) Gather a minimum of $100 in sponsors and collect pledges 3) Bring money to get great deals on cool gear and clothing at the auction. 4) Climb on Dec. 4th! Proceeds will benefit a special fund for Stacey’s medical bills at the National Transplant Assistance Fund. All donations are tax-deductible. For more information, please contact Stacey at [email protected], or 650-776-8629. Stacey, from Belmont

It has been a tough week. I have had a hard time sleeping and making it to morning classes. Tuesday, I even threw up in the car after class and spent the rest of the day resting in bed. It was unpleasant to think of all the computer lab homework I am getting behind on and mid-terms to study for, plus the pressure of organizing the up-coming climb-a-thon on Dec. 4th. (I do not understand how chronically sick people can succeed at everyday ambitions.) Wednesday, I felt better, made it to class, and in the afternoon I met a new friend named Jessica for climbing. We had a really great time getting to know each other. Jessica is a strong and graceful climber, and showed me a new 5.11a that I had not tried before. Although I had to rest twice, I did make it to the top! I also tried the other 5.11a I have been practicing, and ALMOST made it clean except for one disappointing slip of the foot. Although I am still struggling on overhangs, I am pleased to be working on climbs at this level. I seem to be able to climb the routes that require more technique than power and strength. I was not sure I would be able to climb at a reasonable level after the transplant, and I feel things are improving. It feels great and has helped my spirit., Stacey, from Belmont

Yesterday, I attended Planet Granite’s “Cranberry Crank” climbing competition and the “Dyno for Dollars” benefit. It was wonderful to be part of the community. I didn’t feel strong enough to compete, so I volunteered to sell cookies at the youth team bake sale instead. We broke $100 as the awards ceremony finished up. Climbing competitions bring back great memories. It was fun to see the kids that I used to coach (from Team Twisters)climbing strong these days. They range in age from 11-17 now, and have two more years of experience under their belts. I watched many of them do very impressive moves and it made me happy. The Cranberry Crank was well-organized and fun. Over 70 climbers registered. It attracted some top climbers, such as young pro Scott Cory and up-and-coming Joshua Levin(age 11.) The “Dyno for Dollars” benefit went well, too! Most of the youth team members and a few adults had a try at this exciting contest. Cindy Chiu sponsored five climbers to jump, much to their delight. Brett Ashton impressed the crowd with his double-dyno jump, which ended on a hold at least 20′ from the ground! I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the staff of Planet Granite for putting on a great comp and sponsoring the entertaining benefit. I felt very honored! Stacey, from Belmont