Another Good Day in Durham!

I asked Lee how he would title today's blog and he said, "Another good day in Durham!"  I always accompany him into the Center for Living when we arrive because I like to visit a short while with some of the people who are either waiting for a lung transplant or with the ones who have had a lung transplant.  What a joy it was to just look at Lee and his friends greeting one another with laughter and all looking so happy with smiling faces, no oxygen and nice pink color.  One becomes accustomed to the lack of color in the faces of those who are struggling to breathe and trying so hard to become strong enough to be eligible for the transplant.  It is only after they look normal again that you realize how dangerously close they came to either dying or being denied the opportunity because their condition had gotton so bad that surgery no longer would be an option.  Fortunately, we have not had to see this happen to anyone we have met.  So far, we have been witness to many success stories.

Lee had a really good day again @ the Center.  He was able to complete all four sessions which include:  floor exercises x 45 minutes, walking for 20 minutes, series of arm weights for 30 minutes and 20 minutes on the bike ( or pedaler).  During this time the therapists are immediately available and assigned for each group guiding them through each session.Lee arrives @ the Center @ 12:30 each day.  Check in and review of systems (blood pressure, blood sugars and/or any other stat).  1:00 begins the sessions and these continue until a class that usually begins @ 3:40.  Lee did not have to attend today's class on Diabetes because he had already completed that one.  He was able to leave early today.  That was good because he is very tired by 3:30.

Betsy came over this afternoon and I now have a can opener that will work!  She also brought a big container of pinto beans and some cornbread muffins.  We are looking forward to supper!  We have received so many meals and treats from Dennis and Betsy, Roger and Genice while here.  Like Julia says, we have been treated like college kids with them making sure we have lots of food! Truly we have felt very blessed.

Update on some of our friends here @ Duke Towers.  Nancy, the retired anthropologist professsor got her new lungs today.  We were all getting concerned for her as her condition was deteriorating rapidly.  Our other friend, Jerry is in ICU and doing Very well.  For those who are recuperating and for those who are waiting we continue to ask that you remember them in your prayers.

Lee has received many cards these past few weeks and it is a joy to watch him read each one and he usually has a story to tell me about some of his old friends that he has not seen in a long time.  He has heard from several high school classmates that he had not heard from in years.  Thanks to all of you who have kept the cards coming.  That has played a major role in his recovery! 

More Later.....................................................................Brenda