Hectic weekend! May 27, 2007
I’m here, I missed writing my weekly update yesterday as we had company all weekend. Last night, my mom and I were up late making team t-shirts for a transplant fund raising walk that happened today. I mentioned in an earlier post that my father passed away on March 7th. He was a double lung transplant recipient after developing COPD. Just before he received his transplant, he was given less than 2 months to live. Two weeks later, we got the call that lungs were available for him. Instead of having him only for a few months, this gift gave us almost three years.
This walk today was organized by a young mother who developed lung cancer. She was not a smoker, was not subjected to second hand smoke, nor were there any workplace health risks. She has also been given a second chance with donated lungs. The walk raised over $25000.00 today for the transplant team at the Toronto General Hositpal. The hospital foundation is going to match the donations we made today.
Please sign your donor cards, and let your family know your wishes. More lives could be saved if enough organs were available. Most on the organ waiting list die before a suitable organs (or organs) become available.
So…about food. ummm, let’s just say that if it wasn’t on my new diet lifestyle plan, then I ate it. Not a great weekend, and I even missed my green smoothies. At one point, I popped into the grocery store and bought one. However, my 2 year old decided she wanted a taste of the “turtle juice” - I never got it back 
I did take the time to take my measurements - So here is Saturdays info. I’ll post Sunday’s below that.
Saturday - Weight 227.2 down 1.4 lbs from Friday, and down 3.8 lbs for the week.
Down 18.8 lbs from my heaviest
Measurements (loss calculated from heaviest)
Arms - 16.5 (-.50)
Bust - 44 (-2.5)
under bust/back whatever - 38.5 (-2.5)
waist - 40.5 (-1.5)
hips - 55.5 (-2.5)
thighs - 29.25 (-.75)
calves - 17.75 (-.25)
Either stuff is shifting around, or I’m measuring incorrectly. It’s probably me.
Sunday - Today I weighed in a bit higher at 228.2 - but that will work itself out by next week :-) I’m glad to be going back to work tomorrow, this vacation is wrecking havoc on my diet.
Hi Jennifer!
I’m so sorry you lost your father — but I’m so happy you had an extra three years with him… Organ donation is an amazing thing…
I’m very thankful to you, and proud of you for walking and supporting the walk you were involved in — and the money you all helped raise is wonderful! It’s a tribute to your Dad, and to the person and family who saved his life… And far beyond that — it will help others like him who are waiting…
And thanks for the plug about organ donation — spreading awareness with the walk, and with simple things like reminding someone in your blog are so very important…
Like your Dad, not so long ago I was dying — my lungs were failing after years of struggling with cystic fibrosis… I too was saved by a wonderful person and family like your father was — I’m lucky enough to have learned who my donor was — she was a beautiful girl named Kari. She was 17 years old and from Iowa — and in the month before she passed, she told her family twice how strongly she felt about organ donation…
I don’t know what planted that seed in her beautiful mind — but it could have been someone like you mentioning it in a piece they authored, or walking to support a cause like this…
I’ve been very lucky — I wish your Dad had more time on this beautiful planet… I’m sure he would be proud of you. I am.
Good luck with your weightloss — I know how very hard that is, and I also know how very important it is to strive towards a healthy weight… You’re in my prayers…
My princess helped me create a little tribute to my beautiful donor, Kari — it’s at http://www.ClimbingForKari.org Also — I’ve recently begun to blog at a blog at http://www.ReviveHope.org
You take care, Jennifer!
Love,
Steve
Sorry — the blog is at http://www.ReviveHope.com
Love,
Steve
Hi Steve,
Thank you for commenting on my blog. I do believe very strongly in organ donation. I read through your climbingforkari site, including your letters to your donor family, and most incredibly the letter back from them. My father wrote a similar letter, but unfortunately, we never heard back from them. It’s a tough letter to write.
As you know each day is a blessing, both for you and your family. I wish you the best.