new thread
Hi everyone,
This is totally off-topic, but I wanted to ask you all to keep your fingers crossed for me. Tommorrow (Sunday) I am going to the VA hospital in Nashville, Tennessee for a re-evaluation. This re-evaluation is to make sure I am still eligible for a kidney transplant and to remain on the list.
Your thoughts and prayers would be kindly appreciated as I go through my journey towards a kidney transplant. I'm pretty sure my tests will all be good. But a little extra help never hurts. Hope you all have a great weekend!
Ted
Lightin' up Heavens switchboard, right now.
Hi Jason,
I so appreciate your calls to the Heaven's! I know the Good Lord will be there by my side through this journey. I consider this to be a back I'm taking through my life. Soon I will be back on the main thoroughfare. I'm kind of enjoying the scenery on this back road if you know what I mean:)Thanks again my friend!
Ted
Hi Ted,
Thank you for letting us know, and as always, you can count on my thoughts and prayers every step of the way. After all, you have done so much good for everyone here, giving your heart and soul to all, that it is only right that we do the same for you. Please keep us updated.
Take care,
David
Hi David,
I am very grateful for your prayers! I am happy to know that this community is supportive of me in my journey. I am just enjoying the slowdown in my life due to my health issues. I definitely treasure each and every day and each and every person I meet. It's funny how our attitude changes when we find out just how delicate life can be. I will surely keep you updated and thanks again for your wishes!
Ted
Ted,
I'd be glad to pray for you, my friend. You are a constant encouragment and positive person on here - and prayers are going out for you. That's quite a drive you have to make. Hope you have a safe and productive trip...
Fitz
Hi Fitz,
Your prayers would be most appreciated! I really appreciate your very kind words! I do very much enjoy this board and its members. You guys are such an inspiration to me and I wouldn't have it any other way! I am not driving, though. The VA is thankfully flying my wife and I up there on Sunday. I will do my testing on Monday morning and fly back home Monday evening.
These tests could be done in San Antonio, but the VA has strict rules about transplants. This is why I have to fly to Nashville instead of having it done here. Vanderbilt University has the best kidney transplant program. The VA hospital is adjacent to Vanderbilt University. I am in good hands and am thankful for that.
Thanks again for your much appreciated prayers my friend!
Ted
Hi Ted,
My thoughts will definitely be with you. It's wonderful how positive you are and how you cope with your health condition very well. I truly hope that you will get that kidney and that you will enjoy a much easier life thereafter.
Best wishes,
Jason
Hi Jason,
I thank you so much for your thoughts! It is always best to stay positive because I consider this as "taking the scenic route" through my life. Kind of like the Good Lord above wanted me to slow down and "smell the roses". And "smell the roses" I have done. Since being diagnosed with kidney disease, I have become more aware of certain things. Most people don't have to do that because they have good health. It is very interesting what happened to me when I had to slow down my life. I feel like the Good Lord above is showing me things I would have never noticed before. It is a good feeling I tell you. Thank you so much for your thoughts and wishes my friend!
Ted
Hey Ted.
I can only repeat what the other's said. My thoughts are with you.
Hi Michail,
I thank you very kindly for your thoughts my friend! I am enjoying my little back road journey through my life. I have learned that each day is what I make it. And if I make each day wonderful and productive then all is good. I have definitely learned to appreciate each and every person I meet. Major medical issues can make people really change. Thankfully, I have changed for the better. Thanks again for your kind thoughts my friend!
Ted
Hope all goes well and I will send a prayer for you. Take it easy buddy.
Hi Mark,
I thank you kindly for your prayers my friend! It is going to be nice to take a short trip to Tennessee. Won't get much time to look around, but that's okay. Kind of like a short vacation. They treat me very well at the VA hospital there. When I go for a transplant I will be there for about 2 weeks. Thanks again for the prayers and you take it easy also!
Ted
Hi Ted and will I EVER be thinking of you and wish you more than the best that the solution to this nightmare of a condition can and will present iteslf to you soon. My best to you always Ted.
Justin~
Hi Justin,
I thank you so kindly for your thoughts my friend! I am in capable hands with the VA and have always had great treatment from them. My labs are always very good at dialysis and that goes a long way to getting a transplant. I have been able to own the disease instead of it owning me. In fact, quite often I forget I have to go to dialysis! Crazy I know!
But you are correct it can sometimes be a nightmare. I have gone through a few operations I could have done without! Now it's a matter of maintaining my health while waiting for a transplant. I have learned every day is a gift! And I make sure I enjoy each and every one of them! Once they pass, you can't get them back! People who have good health don't see this as well I believe.
Thanks again for your support my friend and have a great weekend!
Ted
Good luck, Ted, and may all go well. Gulping down an anti-rejection pill every morning sure beats several hours every week hooked up to a machine. We're all rootin' for ya!
Bill
Hi Bill,
Your thoughts and prayers are sincerely appreciated! I would definitely have to agree with you on the anti-rejection pill! I surely can't wait to get to that point! The dialysis machine is what I like to call "a force to be reckoned with". Sitting there not being productive for 4 hours is what gets to me. I am so restless and miss working a regular job.
Believe me, this board is one of the things that keeps me going. I get so much enjoyment from reading the various subjects which get brought up here. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling with you and Larry across the U.S.! That was a very nice presentation!
Thanks again for your very kind words my friend! Have a great weekend!
Ted
I am wishing for the best of luck for you.
Hi MG,
I thank you very much for your thoughts! The support of this community has definitely overwhelmed me. Hope you have a great weekend my friend!
Ted
Dear Ted,
Best wishes and prayers for you! You might call your post 'off-topic' because it isn't about long hair, but it isn't really because its about support and encouragement...and that's what this board is really all about. And in the weeks since I've discovered this board, I have been so impressed by your spirit of giving to others encouragement through their questions and trials. I hope all works out the way you want it to, that you retain eligibility to be on the list and that you speedily get a donor. I was about to add, 'so that you get your life back,' but the truth is that you have a life, a beautiful life now! I do hope that you get a life free from the inconvenience, discomfort and uncertainty of long-term dialysis, though!
Thinking about you in prayer...
Don
Hello Don,
I thank you so much for your very kind thoughts and prayers! I thought about not posting, but thought maybe there are others here who are dealing with major medical issues. It's sometimes helpful to put it out there so we know we are not alone. We can conquer our issues together! You are correct that I have a life-because I choose to! Some people let there medical issues control them. I can't do that. My life hasn't ended until I'm six feet under.
I am probably looking at a 3 to 5 year wait for a transplant. That's fine with me. I know the Good Lord is in control of that. When the time is right, it shall happen. Your wishes for a speedy resolution are greatly appreciated, believe me! And I'm flattered by your comments about me helping other members here. I am so thankful to have this board and the members. I sure would hate to be without it!
I do thank you for your prayers! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Ted
Hey Ted, what more can I say other than you have the full support of the entire mlhh community behind you during this difficult time in your life.I find it quite amazing how well you cope with your health problems by taking it in stride as really that's about all one can do.I'm grateful you have a good support team on your side as it will be awesome when you can put this one part of your life behind you my friend:)All the best on your trip to Nashville and beyond.....Cheers
Mârk
Hello Mark,
I thank you very kindly for the thoughtful reply! I have definitely come to the conclusion that this is a community of great people. It is truly appreciated!
I must tell you it wasn't always easy to cope with these issues. At first I asked myself "Why me?" But then I went back to my old self and asked "Why not me?" I do believe things happen for a reason.
You are correct about the good support team. I have a great Mother-in-law, good wife and an awesome care team at my dialysis clinic. Not to mention the staff at the VA med center here in San Antonio. I have come through quite a lot with all of these people. I probably wouldn't have made it without them. Yes, I can't wait to get off this little back road and get back on the highway of life. But possibly there are other things the Good Lord wants me to see before then.
Thank you again for your good wishes my friend! Hope you have a great weekend!
Ted
Hi everyone,
I must tell you that I am sitting here typing this practically in tears from the massive support shown for me! The messages you all were kind enough to post are truly heartfelt. I shall go forth and be of good faith in my journey. You guys are an awesome bunch I clearly see! I just can't thank you enough for your inspiration and thoughts!
I am going to be off the computer while I'm on this trip. If anyone else posts a message for me here I may not respond right away. Please be assured I will respond at my earliest opportunity. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers my friends! Have to get myself in bed. Going to be an early morning...
Ted
Fingers AND toes, Ted!
Godspeed!
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
I thank you very kindly for your best wishes! I am getting ready to head to the airport in an hour or so. I will definitely keep you all updated on what happens. I hope you have a great weekend my friend! Thanks again for the Godspeed!
Ted
Hey buddy! Sorry for the late reply!
Even though it's sunday morning here in Europe, I guess it's still night in Texas and you haven't left for the Nashville trip.
I want to really send you a big, virtual hug, and to reassure you that everything is going to be a-ok, it simply has to be, when it concerns a great guy such as yourself!
Please keep us updated while on the trip, and try to focus on everything else besides the check-up itself! Nashville, Tennessee, is a please I've been dreaming of seeing myself, and I am sure there's tons of great stuff to see around, before you get your positive answer that you are still eligible for a transplant :)
Stay strong, brother! We are all with you on this! :)
Hi Raul,
No problem about the late reply! I do thank you so kindly for the hug and wishes my friend! I am getting ready to go to the airport right now. I am sure everything will be fine. I think they are just going to do labs, EKG and X-Rays.
I won't be able to stay in contact on the trip though. Not taking the computer. And I'm a dinosaur-I still don't have a smartphone. Crazy I know! I will try to take a few pics up there. Unfortunately I'm not going to have enough time to look around.
I hope you have a great weekend! I thank you again for the best wishes!
Ted
...are certainly being sent you way.
Good Luck
Walter
Hi Walter,
I thank you very kindly for your prayers and thoughts! I am happy to report you helped me stay on the transplant list! The doctors said I am in excellent health other than kidney failure. I have made it back home safe and sound! Thanks agin for your thoughts and prayers! Please have a great week my friend!
Ted
Sorry for a late reply, Ted. But I definitely wish you all best on both your trip and the results. My prayers are with you!
Serge.
Hi Serge,
I thank you so kindly for your prayers! I do apologize for my late reply as I didn't take the computer with me to Nasville. They had me busy doing the testing and everything. I am happy to tell you that my health is excellent and I am staying on the transplant list! Thanks again for your prayers my friend! Please have a great week!
Ted
Hi Ted
Sorry to hear of your health issues and I wish you the very best for a healthy outcome. You often cite people here as inspirations for you, well you are a massive inspiration to all of us!
Take care and keep smiling :)
Dave
Hi Dave,
Thank you so kindly for your best wishes! I really appreciate your comment about me being an inspiration to you all! How could I not be? I enjoy this board and also growing my hair more than you know! I am very happy to report my health is excellent aside from the kidney disease. I am staying on the transplant list. Thanks again for your wishes and please have a great week my friend!
Ted
Excellent news Ted !
Have a great week too, take it easy :)
Dave
Hi Ted,
My best wishes for your hospital trip and that everything goes well with you whilst there.
Without good health, riches, and fame are all mud.
Cheers,
Duncan
Hi Duncan,
Thank you so kindly for your best wishes! Everything went well and the doctors told me my health is excellent aside from the kidney disease. They told me I will stay on the transplant list. You are so correct about riches and fame being mud without good health! I would much rather have my health! Thanks again for your wishes my friend! Please have a great week!
Ted
Rootin' for you, Ted. Btw, I used to live I Nashville.
Hi Tony,
Thank you so kindly for your "roots"! I am happy to report everything went well! The doctors said I am in excellent health aside from the kidney disease. I am staying on the transplant list. Nashville is a beautiful city although I haven't had a chance to really explore it yet. I am wanting to try Hattie B's hot chicken. I hear it's good. Thanks again for your wishes and please have a great week my friend!
Ted
Hey Ted, glad to hear your trip went well. Sorry I wasn't able to let you know sooner I would of course pray for you during the weekend. I had a long weekend of moving my parents out of their home into an apartment!
I've been to Nashville many times and its a great place to check out. Hopefully next time you go you can check out downtime in the evening, it's a very cool environment!
-Tommy
Hi Tommy,
Not to worry my friend! Family matters always come first! I do appreciate your thoughts and prayers! Everything did go well in Nashville and my health is still great besides the kidney disease. I am still on the eligibility list for a transplant.
I am sure you had a long weekend! I have never liked moving so I can understand that! Yes, one of these trips I am going to try to go check out the sights and sounds of Nashville. It is a cool city with much to do! Thanks again for your concern my friend!
Ted