Merry Christmas

My family and I wish everyone Merry Chrismas! We are all doing well, and I am still waiting for a multivisceral (small bowel, liver, pancreas, stomach and duodenum) transplant. I have been on the active candidate waiting list for this type of transplant since February 1, 2008. I do not want anyone to think that I am too sick to live a normal life because that couldn't be further from the truth. I still do everything that I did before except that I just can't travel more than 4 hours travel distance from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. I visit the hospital usually twice a week on average for blood tests, clinic visits, or routine medical procedures. Usually once every 3 months, I have a "shuntagram" for my doctor to determine if an artificial tube (shunt) in my body is directing blood from my intestines to flow away from liver and directly into my venae cavae. In summary, my health is well.

I hope that everyone out there is doing well, and that everyone remembers the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins so that we may have eternal life. John 3:16. That is the best gift that I have ever received.

Merry Christmas!!!!