May 2009 - Road to Recovery: "I ain't were I want to be, but I ain't were I used to be."

If there has been any doubt about how much I have to be grateful for, its been put to rest in the the months following our return to Savannah. It's been almost an embarrassment of riches!

We were inundated by cards, emails, phone calls, and visits by family and friends locally, nationally, and globally! Maurice Edwards, my dear friend and confidante of 60 years, has called each day since then, "just to check in". Friends in our Southbridge community arranged for a chef to prepare several meals for us. Members of the J. Franklyn Bar Association in Maryland sent us a generous gift. Bridgette Greer, an awesome friend - and herself a double-lung transplant recipient - was (and continues to be) a steady source of spiritual support and provides ample perspective on managing my meds and the imperative of exercising. My eventual return to our church, St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Rincon, GA, and the Grand Lakes Lodge and Spa (GLLS) was heartwarming. I could go on and on ....

Meanwhile, I soon settled into my routine of weighing myself and taking and recording my pulse and blood pressure twice daily, staying on schedule for taking my 14 (!!) medications daily, having blood drawn each week with results forwarded to Mayo for evaluation, and resuming care under the watchful eye of my Savannah nephrologist, Dana Kumjian, M.D.

Each week I talk with Lynn Kerbe (see photo above), my Mayo Clinic post-transplant coordinator, on my progress (excellent), adjustments in my medication (a few). Lynn has a unique combination of professionalism, a sharp sense of humor - and a remarkable ability to listen.

Two weeks ago, I reached a landmark in my journey when I was cleared to resume exercising and returned to the fitness center of the GLLS where I now work out four to five times each week. I've also resumed my activities with the 100 Black Men of Savannah and will participate on a program on the imperative of organ donation by African-Americans later this month. I also lend my support to a brother in the Savannah 100 who will receive a kidney transplant next month.

All in all I couldn't ask for more in this journey. While the future is always fraught with uncertainties, I remain optimistic.

Next month, we'll return to Mayo Clinic for my scheduled four-month evaluation. If all goes well, my laboratory visits may be reduced to every other week and future visits will take place on the anniversary of my transplant - February 18th.