Tina, Bruce, Joyce, Peggy, et al

[Guest guest]

Tina,

Thank you for your heart-warming story about

your wonderful day with your precious son. It

sounds like you have discovered the secret -

to relish each one of those special moments

and days as a gift. You brought a lot of memories

rushing back to me, and I'm grateful. Just so you'll

know, some of those special little boys really DO

stay that sweet even when they grow up to be

precious 28-year-olds who are married and

still love their moms. Keep up the good work.

Bruce,

Thank you for your thoughtful wishes list. It's

a great one for anyone, and I wish all the same

and more to you, my friend of many words, an

keen and searching mind, and a kind and

compassionate heart.

Joyce,

I'm really concerned about you. Please assign Lucian

the task of regularly checking your cannulas. I'm glad

the chest pain is somewhat better, but I want it to

go away! I worry about you in part because I know

what it is like to be so sob most of the time, from

doing the tiniest things that most people take for

granted. But I've never dropped as low as you have.

I don't know what the shudders are, but you must

ask your doctor. It sounds like a mild seizure of

some sort. You need to know. I'm praying for you.

Be strong, but don't be a martyr, please.

Peggy,

I hate it that you're having such a tough time

emotionally with the meds. Hang in there - you've

beat it before and you will again, of that I'm sure.

Misha's still at the hospital, not eating. She won't

get to come home today. This will be the 3rd night

in the hospital for her. She vomited at 1:30 am. &

so is on anti-nausea meds. Most of the test results

won't be in until the latter part of the week. I'm fairly

miserable, as you might guess.

The party helped a lot, thanks to our sensational .

(And no, I've NEVER seen crackers like that before!!)

All of my Air Family -

You have touched my heart. For me, every

day takes more effort than the one before, but every day

I get some sort of encouragement, inspiration, or

genuine caring from the unique and brave individuals

here sharing this disease. I wish each of you lasting

peace, a dancing spirit, a joyful heart, the gift of true

friends, passion, the strength and patience to be

assertive in managing your own care and to treat

yourselves lovingly, and the knowledge that God loves

you. For all of us, I wish that we accept life, at

whatever stage we find ourselves, with all its peaks

and valleys, for the beautiful gift it is. Thank you for

being there.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hugs and blessings,

Gwynne IPF 7/04 listed for transplant 3/07 Texas