On a sad note

Another friend has left us. Yesterday Jon E died awaiting transplant of a new lung. I met Jon through the UCSD Transplant Support Group when he and his wife came out from Tucson, where they wintered, they summered in Maine. He loved to fly, he really wanted to get back behind the stick again, however the doctors told him without a new lung that was not possible. Two weeks ago Jon was admitted to the hospital as his home oxygen equipment could no longer support him. For the first time in months he regained color in his face and hands (his fingers were no longer blue). The new drugs they were administering showed promise to correct the pressure on his heart allowing him to remain on the list.

He was to be transferred to a special care facility as it was felt that his needs did not warrant hospitalization. His wife went to several in the area and selected one close by that said they could care for him. They had a special floor for pulmonary cases. However, when Jon was taken, by ambulance, it was determined that this facility would not meet his needs. Jon was returned to the hospital where he expired awaiting a room assignment.

We have lost several people in the last month and a half in addition to Jon. Bob D who was a year and a half out from his transplant, he was another friend who got me back onto the golf course and shared his experiences with me. Chloe who was 17 years out from her surgery and an inspiration to all of us. To me, Jon was the saddest in that he did not get the opportunity to have his rebirth and experience life without assisted breathing. Every day we wake is an opportunity to live again which we would not have had without the generous gift of a stranger.