12-28-2009

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

My next goal is to learn how to put a picture on this thing!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and remembered why we have Christmas. Thank he who created us.... Gale!!!

Anyway, onward and upward. Life has been busy, Kelli has been working long hours helping Boyne Mountain Snow Sports Academy through the Holidays. She leaves home at 0630 and returns at 1900 hrs. I fuel the car make lunches and breakfast and send her on her way. I am the house husband, and I have only been in trouble for forgetting to have the laundry done, once! Oh well. Lili has been going with her Mom this week, Lili is doing Boyne Mountains Christmas Camp.

Tomorrow I go to GR to see Dr. Boelkins or Legault. To get an update on my kidney function. I hope to have the Creatinine in the ones somewhere.

I have started a new fundraising program to help finance my new kidney. Since the two real Dr.'s have told Dr. Wife and Dr. Mom it is OK for me to tune ski's, I have started a ski tuning for donation benefit. You can go to "www.gtskiclub.org" and find a link to see what it is all about.

We had a great Christmas, I received a kidney, plus some clothes, and I am very thankful to God for the gifts I have received. The dogs got skunks, squirrels and BIG bones to chew!

Lili played Santa handing out gifts and opening stockings. The stockings contained lots of candy and foot and toe warmers, even Adams, I don't think Adam will mind us using his toe warmers due to the fact in the southern climate you don't need them!

Kelli had a very practical Christmas, Santa brought her some Garage organizing material.

So, All good here.

More tomorrow after the Dr.'s visit.

God Bless,

Bruce

12/24/09

For whatever reason that post from the 23rd did not complete, I guess that is what happens when you are on the edge of wifi and you try to send with weak signal, sorry.

Anyway, My two Dr.'s said go ahead from Boelkins and Maunders said if it hurts don't do it! So waxing and tuning is my winter hobby, it only hurts as much as being awake.

Now to the more important stuff.

Creatinine as of Monday is at 2.4. Dr Boelkins is very happy with this and tells me to keep up whatever I'm doing.

Someone who I failed to mention from the party two weeks ago is Scott Young. Scott plowed three or four parking lots around the Yacht Club to allow 500 or so people to come to the benefit dinner. Thanks Scott.

My Christmas present is Life itself, (and of course a kidney) this whole deal gives me a whole new perspective on life. To have good health I have always taken for granted, now I can see what a gift good health is. To those who have it, cherish it, and pray for those who need it.

God Bless and have a very Merry Christmas.

Bruce

12-23-09

Wow, I'm back, I kind of forget to post occasionally!

Last Friday Night Lili played the lead in the King is coming to town at her school Christmas play.

We did not tell Mom and Dad and they were surprised, she did a great job I guess, I was not there due to germs but I expect a video of it shortly.

Lili followed this up with ski races at Boyne Highlands over the weekend with a couple of wins. I actually rode up there with the girls and made my way to the bottom of the hill to watch her, It was nice to be out of the house.

I did have a trip to Grand Rapids this week to see the vascular sergeon who did my gortex graff. He is happy with the current blood flow to my leg that was in question, he will have me back in three months to make sure it keeps flowing.

I had an interesting conversation with Dr. Mom and Dr. Wife, they got on my case because I was waxing Lili's ski's. We I called my Dr.'s, Dr. Boelkins my Nephroligist in GR and My friedn Dr. Maunders who ski's a lot and asked them the question

12/17/2009

Good Morning,

I have been a little out of sorts this week, Not feeling that well, yet good report from the Dr.

On Tuesday Bill White was nice enough to get up at the crack of 0355 hrs and pick me up at 0430 hrs to be at my 7 am appoint with the vampire in Grand Rapids followed by the Dr. at 0815 hrs.

We made it on time despite the snow and icy roads and night blind driver! Just kidding.

My results were as follows:

Creatinine: 3.2 down from 4.6, That is really good news.

Hemoglobin: 10.5 which is also good yet the same as the prior Friday I believe.

Other levels like blood count and things that are above me were good as well. So things are still moving in the right direction. The Kidney is still not fully awake, they say it takes a while, yet it is functioning. Kelli keeps biffing it to wake it up! ya, that feels GREAT!

Slowly but surley I will get the thank you's out to those who contributed so much last Sat. night.

I must mention Scott Porter for his work on the computer, Putting together my attempt at the slide show that I gave him in pieces. Thanks Scott.

Also Kathy Stimac for her offer and completion of creating dessert for 400, That was really good, although I didn't get much, my girls liked it to, Kathy, your Turkey Chili last night was really, really good, thank you, and I know Mike Stimac had a hand in all of this as well, Thanks Mike, Mike take a ski run for me.

That is all for now, I am feeling better today so I may frequent this more.

God Bless,

Bruce

12-13-2009 2200 hrs

Honorable mention to the one the only, Oh its you Bob!

Bob Clark was a major player in the clean up from the party last night. He kicked Mom out at midnight (which is a little past her bedtime) and continued on until were not sure how late.

Kudos to you Bob.

Thanks to all again, I'll get back to medical stuff this week.

Bless you all,

Bruce

12-13-2009 Adams Birthday 22

Good evening,

Just wanted to get out a few more thanks for last nights fundraiser,

A HUGE, HUGE, HUGE, thanks to OLESON'S FOOD STORES. Supplying food for over 400, incredible gift, thanks Paula.

Special thanks to :

Jessica Lord, We couldn't do it without her, it just wouldn't be any fun!

Wayne and Jody King, Jim Milliman, Dave Hollis, Jim Abfalter and the rest of the kitchen crew.

Jessica Gerber, Eric and Ginni Lind Bartending.

Of course Ian Sterling, Look at all that ski boat gas!

Business contributions from Dave Williamson of Progress Printers, Progress Printers donated all the printing for this event and did the mailing.

American Rental supplied all tables and chairs for dinner and delivered.

Lamar Signs, over a week of billboard adds, what can I say, have you ever seen anything so beautiful on a huge billboard.

Toms Food Market for tableware.

To all who made donations for the raffle, mentioned earlier.

A HUGE thanks to Greg Kirby and Steve Davis for creating an auction and ramping it up with matching funds, making a game out of it and creating fun, thanks so much!!

Also to the Grand Traverse Yacht Club for giving us the building for the night.

Thanks to Blind Dog Hank, Sanford and Geno.

Honorable mention to the volunteers, (sorry if I missed some):

Bill and Tracy White, George Wildman, John and Nancy Briggs, Elaine Wade, Bill and Dorthy Mudget, Marion Chase, Linda and Lynn Peoples, Don and Gretchen Hicks, Dave and Judy Hicks, Diane Hicks, sorry Diane I don't know your married name, Rich Core

West Bay Boat Works for a generous labor donation.

Thanks to all and to all a good night.

God Bless,

Bruce

12-13-2009

Good morning all.

I would like to send out a huge thanks to all those who made last nights fundraiser such a success. To those who came and contributed, many thanks.

I would like to send out a special thanks to My Mother Sandy, and Sister Heather, and all the rest of the volunteers who put this party together. It sounded to me like it was a heck of a bash. Sanford and Geno with Blind dog Hank rocked the house, I thank them, I just wish I could have been there. Sounds like my kind of party.

I would like to put out a special thanks to the clean up crew, I'm thinking over 500 people can make a mess!

Clean up: Mark and Lori Leugers, Jeff and Jeana Aikin, Kerry, Gene, Kyle, Alex Lalone, and their buddys, Jen, Wally, Cole and Alexa Szunko, and for those I missed on this list, It is hard for me to know who did what, but thank you.

All those who did food prep and bar tending.

Dan Matey Sr. and Mike Matey for their help with setting up and parking.

I want to hand it to Ian Sterling for working his tail to the bone, We told him the $ was for boat gas!

If anyone want to call me with reports, I welcome the calls.

More to come later today.

Bruce

12-12-2009 1930 hrs

The fundraiser is off and running, over 100 people the first 10 minutes, after two and a half hours people are still coming and going, parking is a challenge but Mike Matey is taking care of that. Thanks to all who have made this possible. These are all reports I am getting via wire.

I of course can't be there do to my immune system being so low do to the medications I take. One little virus could kill me, so I wear a mask when I go for rides and if someone stops by for something necessary.

Today I took my Dogs for a walk for the first time since surgery, They were a little miffed when it was only about 300 feet and back. Still pretty weak but moving in the right direction.

Thanks to all,

God Bless

Bruce

12-11-2009

Today's numbers:

Creatinine: 4.6 Same which is good.

Hemoglobin: 10.4 which is am improvement.

White blood and other levels have all improved since Tuesday.

So in short todays visit is an overall improvement,

Lots of rest and lots of water will get me through.

Back to the party:

There will be Christmas trees available with people to help load and tie down and the price of the trees will be a donation. The trees are Black and Blue Spruce trees: Ya I had never heard of a black spruce either!

I wanted to add that there is a Custom fur hat made with love by Faith Spalding in the raffle and a day of Kids club and adult ski lessons From the Boyne Mountain Snowsports Academy.

Thanks again

Bruce

12-11-2009

Bruce says:

Come to the party tomorrow night at the Grand Traverse Yacht Club, 13615 S West Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City, Mi. 49684. 5 pm to 10 pm, spaghetti dinner sponsored by Oleson's Food stores and Contributions From Tom's food Market.

Entertainment from "Blind Dog Hank".

I will have today's Dr. visit update as soon as I get the numbers.

Adding to the diamond necklace from Federico's Jewelers, Oil paintings From Melanie Parke and Richard Kooyman, Schuss Shanty ski pass, ski or golf weekend at Schuss Shanty, Mt. Holiday Pizza and Tubing party, 4 day pass with rental at Mt Holiday, Tom Babel Sailing race coach and 1 night crew Wed. summer 2010 with two tote bags from Blue Water Sail and canvas, Day on the Bay on Uncle Ray with 2 tote bags from Blue Water Sail and canvas, Spa package, Season pass for ski tuning as many times as necessary for 1 pair of ski's this season from Don Orr Ski and Beach Haus, Sandy Blumenfelds custom bird house, Professional photograph from Tony Demin, Golf package for two to Crystal downs from Wally Szunko, Snow shoe package with massage from Brick Wheels just to name a few. There are a couple of new items in the raffle. The new items are one pair of Blizzard 172 cm Magnum 8.1 with Marker bindings donated by Chip Petty, The Park Place has donated one night stay with dinner included.

If you can not make the club but wish to get into the raffle just go to the NFT website (www.transplants.org) and donate in the name of Bruce Lockwood, let us know what you donated and we will put the tickets in your name. 1 ticket for $25 and 5 tickets for $100.

You can put the tickets on the item or items you are interested in.

Come Join the fun.

Thank you for all the support.

Bruce

New from Bruce

12/08/2009

Sorry for the delay,

After hospitalization last week I came home Friday Dec. 4th in the afternoon. I was put back in the hospital for low Hemoglobin and high Creatinine levels. So once they got those under control they sent me to my dogs.

Creatinine level they want between 1 and 4 and I was at 6.1 when hospitalized. Friday I went home I was down to 5.1.

The hemoglobin was around 6 and they want that 10 to 16.

Over the weekend at home I managed to get my levels better yet, I just got back from Grand Rapids about an hour ago for one of my two weekly trips down there. Today my Creatinine is 4.6 and Hemoglobin is 10.1. So, were on the right track.

I also had another procedure today draining fluids from around my incision area, a tennis ball size fluid build up. More needles. 6 pokes to get a IV in last week and three to find blood today. I just don't give up blood easy.

I would like all to know a little about being a donor, The "Gift Of Life" is Michigan's Organ and Tissue Donation Program. It takes more than Signing the back of your Mi. Drivers license to donate. You also need to register with the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. On top of that a next of kin must OK it at time of death. People who sign donor on their license and that is all will be buried with their organs.

There is a huge need for organs, so take the time and register properly, (giftoflifemichigan.org) the waiting list is huge and takes most years to receive a Kidney or whatever they need. I got lucky do to a perfect match within 90 days of being on the list, that is very uncommon.

At the fundraiser dinner this coming Sat. there will be pamphlets from the Gift of life on how to register.

One interesting fact is every organ, no matter where harvested in Michigan has to go to Ann Arbor to the "Gift of Life" to get processed and then literally get a cab ride to the hospital in need. And yes I have heard some stories of the cabbie taking a nap with a surgical team waiting. My Kidney was harvested down state and got a cab ride to A2 and another cab ride to GR. Wild!

More to come soon now that I figured out how to access this blog.

By for now, Thanks for all the support.

Bruce

12/7/09 Bruce is at Home & Recovering

Bruce is at home, recovering with the help of his friends, and Jack - of course. Stay tuned, as he's about to post some of these himself!!

To help Bruce, you can give online at www.transplants.org - click on patients we help, search for Bruce Lockwood and click on "Make A Gift" be sure to type in that it's in honor of Bruce Lockwood. It's a tax deductible donation that will directly help him, with his mounting transplant expenses. Thank you.

12 3 09 Evening Update from Bruce

The Dr. came in around 3pm today and gave me results on the biopsy, He said there are no signs of rejection, yipee!! He will still keep me overnight to see the results of the blood draw tomorrow morning and then he expects to send me home. We will find out the final results from Mayo Clinic tomorrow or next week.

We have been working through a lot of paperwork for all this stuff today, which is lots of fun! Finally finished up with a good amount of what needs to be done, I guess what I am saying is there is a lot of angles to this type of medical procedure.

I do need to get a message out to the meal train people, First of all, thank you, the food is a blessing and very helpful. I do need to add that we met with a dietitian today and she emphasised that the low salt and fat is very important. Canned products have a lot of salt, Just asking those who bring meals to keep labels in mind, and we don't have labels on what gets delivered. So not to be thankless, but to those who send food please be very aware of the salt mostly, I can cut off the fat.

Thanks everyone involved, The prayers, the fundraising, Thanks, thanks, thanks,

Pray for low creatinine.
Bruce

You can give online at www.transplants.org - click on patients we help, search for Bruce Lockwood and click on "Make A Gift" be sure to type in that it's in honor of Bruce Lockwood. It's a tax deductible donation that will directly help him, with his mounting transplant expenses. Thank you.

Back in the Hospital 12/3/09 - Update from Bruce

Yesterday I came down to Grand Rapids Wege clinic (transplant center) and when I had the blood drawn the creatinine was at 6.1, as of Monday it was 5.9 and this concerned the Dr. They would like it to be around 1 to 4. This morning when I had my blood drawn it was 6.1 again. Also my uric Acid was real high which would explain why I couldn't walk on Tuesday (due to a gout attack). My potassium is also high so he asked if I would be admitted to put me on sodium bicarbonate drip and a ton of fluids for 24 hours to get these numbers down faster, I said sure. So, I'm hospitalized. They did a biopsy on the new kidney yesterday to rule out any rejection issues, it may have been I did not take in enough fluids when I was home. The Dr. thinks we will probably see in tomorrows blood work that the creatinine has peaked and is on it's way down and this is what we want and it is what Dr. Boelkins expects. The preliminary biopsy results won't be back until this afternoon and the final results of the biopsy get sent to Mayo Clinic in MN. and we will get those early next week.

Kelli has been tirelessly by my side and going above and beyond to try to keep our lives as normal as possible. I couldn't survive this mess without her and thank God that she's in my life.