I started writing this when I was watching a bit of the crappy Academy Awards; Pete had long since gone to bed! It is not three weeks later, March 24, and here is an update on us:
We had a wonderful Christmas with Pete's parents, Sally and Allen, here with us. We shared Christmas Dinner with our good friends and neighbors, the Wiczek family, and we got in some skiing, sledding, ice skating, and general play time as well.
Speaking of skiing, Mason is quite amazing zooming down the hill in great form, making parallel turns and even skiing some black diamonds now! Liam is now skiing on his own (without the harness), and loves to follow his big brother. He has fantastic balance, and it's quite a sight to see them both on the hill.
Here is a photo of me and the boys from last weekend at the Canyons!
My health is well and, frankly, that is soooo fantastic for me, Pete, Mason, Liam, and for our extended family and friends. Pete and I make note of each month that passes without a hospital stay or unexpected visit to the docs. I had another checkup on Tuesday March 16, with blood tests, echo, etc. before and on that day -- docs are pleased with my good health and the lack of any crises. We are so grateful for the smooth sailing and hope and pray that it continues long into the future! Meanwhile, I am making great efforts to exercise, keep healthy and well; keep my family healthy and well; work 3 days a week; cook yummy and healthy food (most of the time!); and have some fun in all this too!
We were able to travel to our beloved Ketchum, Idaho, for President's weekend in Feb. Here is a photo of the boys on skates at the local ice rink. We had a great visit with Scott and Anne Mason, and were able to visit with our friends the Desmonds and the Gilmans too.
In the first week of March, the UTAH (Utah Transplant Affiliated Hospitals) Cardiac Transplant Program celebrated its 25th Anniversary!! The four hospitals (Univ. of Utah, VA Medical Ctr., Primary Children's Med. Ctr., and Intermountain Med. Ctr.) that collaborate to make such a successful cardiac transplant program here have performed recently performed their 1067th heart transplant! I was fortunate enough to have participated in a press event at the VA on Thursday morning, Mar. 4. There was a photo of Liam and I (and others at the event) in the Salt Lake Tribune on Fri. March 5. article in attached link. On Sat. night 3.6, we attended a large dinner downtown that celebrated the transplant recipients, the donor families, the doctors, nurses, staff, hospital administrators, and the hospitals themselves! Amazingly, the first two recipients who received their hearts in 1985 were present at the dinner - one is now 43 and one is in his 80s! Thanks to the members of our "Utah family" who could be there with me and Pete.
Every day I wake up and go to bed thinking of my donor and his family. The generosity of their gift never ceases to amaze me. I also recently spoke about my story and the importance of organ donation at a women's organization of which a friend is a member. And I hope to do more of that in the future (a senior center has asked me to speak in April). It feels good to spread the word about organ donation.
Thanks to all for your continued love and support,
Emily, Pete, Mason and Liam
