Heart to Heart
On Saturday Tom and I traveled to Tucson for the annual Transplant Reunion. It was a very interesting day for me. In the car on the way down, I was really agitated and uncomfortable for some reason. It didn’t help that you-know-who lectured me about economics and my political views for over an hour. Sometimes he talks at me as though I’m six years old and don’t understand the basics of capitalism and economics. Perhaps he has forgotten that it was ME who taught HIM the most important concept of all - If you still have checks, you still have money.
I must say that as we turned into the parking lot of University Medical Center, a sense, almost a sense of dread, came over me. I still can’t explain it. It was very strange. Soon I was having a great time greeting old friends. It was pretty awesome to realize that every person in this huge auditorium was in some involved in the transplant process - recipients, doctors, nurses, coordinators, absolutely everyone. There were even two donor families in attendance. I received the 718th heart in Dr. Copeland’s program. Last Thursday #752 received her new heart. Probably one of the most poignant moments was when the coordinators read each name and the date of his/her transplant - both heart and lung. The buffet was heart healthy, hospital food - need I say more? (Actually it was quite good.)
I’ve spent the last four days in quiet reflection. I think I’m just overwhelmed thinking about the whole experience again. Some of the scary things are beginning to surface.
I can’t believe the Republican party is ripping John Kerry to shreds about a botched joke. Maybe we LIBERALS should launch a full-blown, counter attack against the Republicans about their botched joke - George Bush.
