For all MM members, a FYI, Steve's health Options

[Guest_ohsteve_*]

Hello all my friends,

Just to let you all know, I finally had word back from University of Pittsburgh. They have told me that I am not an illegible candidate for lung transplant. Not the news I really wanted to hear, but I understand their reasons, I have far too many reactions to medications and an organ receiver has to be able to take multiple medications in large doses and is subject to lots of stress. They felt that I could not take the medication nor would my body withstand the stress.
I was semi-prepared for this so it is not a total surprise, I will continue to write and post here for as long as I can. Please do not feel badly about this, if you wish to try and help, then please donate to the American Lung Assoc. or your countries lung research projects to help in the fight against lung disease. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.

Take care all,
Steve

[Guest_ohsteve_*]

Wally, I can't begin to imagine the intensity of pain that you have gone through and still have. Not being able to breathe has got to be one of the worst sensations I can imagine right up next to being burned. There isn't much that can be done to alleviate the continuous agony of trying to get enough oxygen. I am not sure about the worthiness or unworthiness of transplantation, I thought about it for a long time, wondering who would have to die to provide me with a set of lungs, and did I really want that on my conscience. So when my pulmonary Dr. convinced me that if I didn't go get the eval. I would always wonder if I might have been a candidate. Well now at least I know.

As for how long I have, I am just thankful for every day I wake up. I am sure there are lots of people far worse off than I, some with different circumstances, such as you and the things you are going through, Sylvia and her husband, John and his wife who just had a transplant, Arnie and his arteries, I have lots to be thankful for, just having my family near and friends such as all of those on MM.

Writing is a tension reliever, so is painting, and reading, and helping my friend redo my house. Laughing with my kids and grand kids, and at my silly dog. My prayers are all with you who need them, too.

Take care
Steve