Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Hope all is well. I could not get back to the blog yesterday, as we got home at 2:30 am, then work, then pulmonary rehab, then work, then home to have dinner with Addi/Christi, then to bed! I was really tired. Christi said I would say more about the false alarm, so here goes:

I was hosting a conference call with Elizabeth in my office and suddenly one of the receptionist Angela came to the door. I of course dismissed her with a waive and went on with the call. She said something to me, and I finally knew something was wrong. I turned to call over to Elizabeth, and went outside the conference room. She said Duke was on the line, and my stomach dropped....

I went to the phone and talked to my transplant coordinator Khara. She said, come on up, an offer was made to you. I was shocked since I just got put on the list on Friday at 10:00 am. I went back and helped finish the call, told everyone bye, and left. Our company has grown to 70 plus, so I felt like I needed to tell everyone bye, but of course could not. I left and went home.

One the way, I tried to call Christi and could not get her on the home phone or her cell. I got home, and forgot that I do not have a key to my own house one, and two, I got a new car and did not have a garage opener since I had not programed my "button" in the car. Tracia came over to watch Addi while we went up, and she did not have a key either. I finally got to Christi, who was at the doctor with Addi because she was sick.... Addi was upset, so I had to hang with her and Christi got us ready.

We started on our way and we called a lot of people or sent them a text. It was a weird ride and I was not ready for it honestly. Christi and I really barely talked. I went pretty fast as well!

We checked in at Duke and got to a room. One of the docs came in and explained the deal. He did not give a lot of detail, but I believe the lungs were in FL, and the surgeon flew down to examine the lungs, harvest them, and bring them back and put them in me. We did learn that another person came to Duke as well, and it was going to be one of us that got the lungs. They would do some test, and the most compatible got the lungs. We got there at 7:00 or so and I got ready. I had to do a scrub and give a lot of blood! Then I watch the Yankee's game while Christi curled up on the bed and took a nap. The doc said our room phone would ring with the news.

My Mom, Caroline, and Mike came in. I asked them to stay home until we knew something, but have you met Jo Cain? They were there literally 10 minutes, and the phone rang. It was Khara, and she said the lungs were bad, so no go. I suspect they started to harvest them, and there was an infection or bruising. I do not know the reason.

Basically, 15 minutes later I was on the road coming back to Charlotte. I knew this was a possibility. Elizabeth M. had a transplant on her 4th trip, Greg had it on his first. It can go either way. After this dress rehearsal, I will be ready the next time.

I honestly was not ready for the call. I know that when the surgery happens, I will have a long road to recovery. However, I also know there is a chance I will not wake up. It was hard to say goodbye to Addi and leave. If you have ever known Addi, you know what I mean.

More to follow!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

How to surmise the last 9 1/2 hours...Overwhelming is the word that comes to mind (Big word so it must be Christi, Just kidding) We are back home and we have experienced our first and hopefully our last false alarm. I cannot say we are disappointed, yet, we are more just "overwhelmed" and we have realized more the reality of our situation. It doesn't feel bad to have a "dress rehearsal" done, but I could have done away with half the anxiety. At least the bags are backed, Bo knows he is loved and prayers will be prayed, and well the doctors will only accept the best for him (and others). I will let him fill you in on the details tomorrow. Thank you everyone for the support, help and prayers. We know there are so many people to turn to we appreciate and cherish you all.
Love
Christi and Addi

Monday, April 28, 2008

Ok folks, here we go! Bo just got a call from Duke instructing him to drive in to prepare for his lung transplant. We are not 100% sure that it will happen but should know more later tonight. Bo and Christi are in the car on the way to Durham as I type.

A few extra prayers are in order for Bo. As information is available, we will share.

Brian Williams
I wanted to say sorry for the delay in getting up the news from my last visit. Christi was sick, Addi was sick, and I just got behind!!!!

I did got to Duke last week and my levels are down. Friday I was activated so I am on the list. Basically it is time to just wait for the call. I am nervous, but know this is the best chance for me to be around the longest possible time. It is scary to think I will be sliced and diced as they say....

Christi and Addi are feeling better today. Both were sick and not feeling well over the weekend. Christi and I watched Barbie moves with Addi a lot!!!!!

My weekend was good. I did play golf on Sunday and did ok. It was a lot of fun.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Here are some pictures from the beach...Addi loved splashing in the waves or as she calls them "hot Geysers" (Barbie and the Mermaids is what the is from) And then her a Daddy made a sand castle...


Hope all is well. Addi, Christi, and I made it back from the beach. i am hoping Christi will post pictures soon. We had a blast. We went to the aquarium, the beach, out to eat, and Brian and I play 18 holes on Sunday morning....

Addi love the otters at the aquarium, and of course had to take one of them home. She named him Oscar.

I am back at work today. I do go to Duke on Thursday to see if I get put on the list..... Let's hope so!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Just a note to say hello. Addi, Christi, and I are at the beach and Addi is full steam ahead. We met Kyle Petty today and he and his wife were really nice. Addi met their dogs on the beach and loved them.

Brian and Jennifer are down here as well. We are having fun. Got a little sun today and looking forward to some sea food tonight. Go back to the doc on he 24th, and if I go on the list, no traveling after that...

Post again soon....

Monday, April 14, 2008

There isn't a whole lot to say right now, so I thought that I would just post a couple of overdue pictures. Addi loves the Bobcats, mostly the cheerleaders and hotdogs, but she was so excited to go a game, that now we must go to all. She also is really into being a "Copy Cat" and so I tell her that all the time and she always corrects me and says, "No Mama, I not a Copy Cat, I'm a Bobcat!"

Seriously though, she is a Jayhawk this year...the is a picture of us celebrating. I guess we know who the lucky charm was and good thing I dress her!

Take Care
Christi and Addi






Thursday, April 10, 2008

Hello everyone. I wanted to really keep you up to date on my progress in pulmonary rehab. I have really like my progress, and I got a report today to give to my doctors to update them.

Here goes: After attending 29 sessions, I have increased my 6 minute walk 76%, pressing 36 lbs more with my arms, 45 lbs more with my legs, my dyspnea with ADL score improved 45%, gained 18 lbs and 4% body fat. I did not go to any of the lectures (see college history :) ) but I only missed one question on my entry and follow up pulmonary education tests.

I have to say that my team at Presbyterian Pulmonary has really helped me. Brenda, Dave, Beverly, and Keyara have been on top of me to do the best I can. Each has helped in their own way, but Keyara is the person that follows me around and yells at me. I call her Coach K (because she makes me work too hard and is mean :) ) and she has taken a real interest in my progress.

So today is Keyara day on the blog. I dedicate this day to her.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Hello Everyone, Christi here! Can I say YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love my Jayhawks, I didn't think I could love KU more, but I do! It is so awesome to see the way the town is rallying around the Jayhawks right now. It reminds me of when I was 11 and we won it in 1988. I remember my parents having us go outside to hear the horns honking in town. (We live 2 miles outside of town) Wow! For those of you that have never been to Lawrence, you should go and see a game in Allen Fieldhouse. It is a neat experience, it is one of the few venues with bleacher seating still, which doesn't really matter because most people stand the whole game anyway. I love my Hawks!
Enough I know, but for those of you wondering, Bo and I made it through the KU/UNC game just fine. Our fabulous neighbor Michelle came over to supervise and remind me that Addi might need to go to bed sometime. We made it though with a few outbursts at the TV, never at each other though. Seriously, more faith in us people. I do have to say Bo was great supporting KU the rest of the way.
On a more serious note, we are still waiting on results from Bo's liver function tests. We are dealing with new doctors now and we are realizing how great our doctors were before on giving us the information we need to know where we stand. Hopefully we will hear something soon. We are not trying to bother our new doctors to much, but I might have to call later today if we have to keep waiting.
Take care and Rock Chalk.
Christi and Addi
PS I will show pictures of the Little Fan soon...it is a good think Mommy dresses her in the morning. Much less I was outnumbered here, I told Bo the least he could do was give me the kid.

Monday, April 07, 2008

Hello everyone.

Still feeling good, but have to confess I have been blue since Saturday night. It makes me happy to see Christi so happy, but the UNC-Kansas game was awful.

For tonight - go Jayhawks!