A DAY 37, AFTER TRANSPLANT REFLECTION ON PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP AND THE PHOENIX FINISH LINE.........

Father Oliver's need to be at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport by 4 a.m., this morning meant we left the house at 2:55 a.m. Jeremy and I dropped him at Terminal 4, and were back at the house in the Trapanotto Estates at 4:45 a.m., a nearly 67 mile roundtrip. We each slept for a few hours befoire my morning meds and breakfast at 9:45 a.m., and Jeremy has been sleeping off and on, ever since. He will be awake to prepare my lunch and give me my afternoon meds at 2 p.m., and will then discuss what's for dinner. I am thinking perhaps steak sandwiches, mashed potatoes and green beans. I am already missing Oliver very much. He is such a loyal friend and brother priest, to travel 12,000 miles return for short periods, for the third time in seven years since my diagnosis with diabetes and renal failure, to provide personal caregiving, companionship, solidarity, and support. Oliver and Jeremy also made a strong and complementary team of caregivers for me. Jeremy met Oliver last summer when he visited me for two weeks in celebration of his 20th anniversary as a priest. Jeremy is my solo caregiver the next two days and then will be teamed with Presentation parishioners, Paul and Sharon Friedrichs, who will be here to assist this weekend. Then come Monday, Jeremy and I will be together in the final 14 day homestretch to our return to Sacramento, on October 17. I have a kidney transplant summary appointment with one of the doctors tomorrow afternoon, and have only two follow-up appointments remaining, one next week and the other the following week, so that I will return to Sacramento right up to date, hopefully in a seamless transition to oversight by Sutter Memorial Transplant Center. My next Mayo Clinic Arizona follow-up appointments after October 17, will be the 4 month post transplant evaluation week in December, and the first of my annual, lifetime, week long, visits next August. That's all for now. Until later.........
Peace + Prayers, Fr. Troy

MAYO CLINIC'S SIX HOUR MONITORING OF MY BLOOD PRESSURE.........

I am back at the Trapanotto Estates house with Oliver and Jeremy, after having a blood pressure monitor placed on me at the Mayo Clinic for six hours duration until 3:45 p.m. this afternoon. It is inflating and recording my blood pressure readings every 10 minutes, for 30-45 seconds each, during which I can not move my arm. I am instructed to maintain my normal activity level, but am not allowed to nap, bath , or drive (not that I am driving) while the monitoring is underway and must keep an hourly diary of my activities, such as walking, shopping. eating lunch, riding in the car, or sitting. I must also take my blood pressure medications, as scheduled. As Oliver has to leave for the airport at 4 a.m., we will have a quiet dinner at the house tonight. These 8 days plus with him here have moved along quickly. I will miss him, but Jeremy and the Friedrichs will also be good company in the waning days of my Sonoran Desert convalescence. It is time for one oof my tv shows before lunch and then a ride out to get the mail.........More Later...Fr. Troy

A NOT SO EARLY MORNING BUT WE NEED TO GO TO THE SCOTTSDALE CAMPUS.........

it is 7 a.m., on Day 35, after my kidney transplant and we have a later start as my only Mayo Clinic appointment today is a Blood Pressure Monitoring at the Scottsdale campus on Shea Blvd., about 27 miles drive from the house. Oliver is doing my vitals and morning meds plus insulin, before preparing my breakfast. My a.m. blood pressure is 147/78; with a pulse of 66; my blood glucose count is 141; my weight today is 211; on our unofficial scale, which is about 5 lbs. less than Mayo is getting. Breakfast is a bowl of multi-grain Cheerios, a glass of Cranberry juice, bacon, and toast. It is Oliver's last day of this visit, so after the Mayo Clinic appointment, we will do our best to make the most of it. Temperature-wise, it is cooling down to 106 o F, today after two days of 108 0. Ironically, with his morning departure for Ireland tomorrow, Wednesday's high in Phoenix, is forecast for 97 o, as a real cool down returns after nearly a week of mid to high 100's, while Oliver has been here. Jeremy has been resting up these past 2 days for the final push here in Phoenix, from tomorrow through Saturday October 17. Paul and Sharon Friedrich confirmed their weekend arrival this Friday and will be here to assist with my caregiving over the coming weekend. Tha't's it for now. Breakfast is about ready and I am ready for it !!!!!!!!! Love + Prayers until Later.........Fr. Troy

POST TRANSPLANT KIDNEY BIOPSY & ULTRA SOUND HAS US OUT THE DOOR BY 5:45 A.M. .........

Giving Jeremy a solid morning to sleep in, after his first 10 solid days of caregiving for me, Oliver and I were up and out the front door heading to Mayo Clinic before 5:45 a.m., for my 35 minutes earlier than usual, 6:30 a.m., fasting blood labs. Then I checked into the hospital for today's outpatient procedure, a kidney biopsy and ultrasound. It was done without anasthesia, only an i.v. line put in, should I have needed it. The ultrasound of my new kidney was done first, and then Dr. Patel arrived and prepped me for the biopsy. Explaining that he would take one or two samples of my kidney and after applying sedative cream/gel to the area around my kidney, he took the biopsy gun in hand and snapped it while lightly pressing into my kidney. Seconds later he declared his first attempt on me, successful and said he had gotten a sufficient amount of kidney for testing. After about 15 minutes more in the surgical room and 45 minutes in the recovery room, where Oliver was paged to join me, the nurse released me. We went straight over to the Mayo Cafeteria, where I took my morning meds and insulin and had scrambled eggs, bacon, and orange juice for breakfast. Now it is time for my afternoon meds, insulin and lunch. My breakfast time blood sugar count was a low, 134; and my lunch time count was an even lower, 105; the latter despite my mid morning snack, which included a cake donut. More spareribs, corn on the cob, and cream of celery soup for lunch, with ice cream for dessert.........To Be Continued...Love + Prayers, Fr. Troy

BACK FROM MY TRAPANOTTO NEIGHBORHOOD WALKABOUT.........

I am just in from a 45 minute galavant up and down West Trapanotto Road, due east and west and around the corner a block, on Via Trapanotto Road. I took it slowly and securely, all well paved sidewalk, all the way, almost a nature walk with the great abundance of quail and jack rabbits inhabiting the neighborhood. The distance was approximately the equivalent of 4 blocks, from start to finish, with my sturdy cane guiding me along. On Via Trapanotto Road the next block over from us, to the east there is a very nice tennis court below the bluffs of higher built houses. I didn't come across the swimming pool that is located within the estates, but I will find it. Not to swim, but to savor next to for the rest, relaxation and ambience poolside provides. The scorpio I am, is enthralled by being near water, even just to gaze at it. On my personal books and reading list presently, I not only brought along about 15 of the 30 books I am currently reading, but placed an Amazon. com order for more, which was delivered last week. Among the books that were delivered is "True Compass", Edward Moore Kennedy's, powerful, personal, memoirs. I have only read the opening pages, but must agree with most of the reviewers I have read or heard speak about it. He seems to have written an unvarnished and moving chronicle of his life and experiences. It's about time for the bbq grill to be fired up and the grilling of the spareribs and the corn on the cob to begin. So I will sign off for now, and see what the guys are up to. I enjoy spending this time out in the backyard with them.........MORE ! MORE ! MORE ! to Come.........Fr. Troy

A LAZY, GRAZY, POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT SUNDAY #5.........

This Sunday has unfolded slowly and rather quietly. Oliver and I went to the supermarket to get the bbq-ing spareribs for our dinner and to replenish our other food supplies and I enjoyed the walkabout in the controlled environment of the Albertson's down the road, for an hour or so in what is closing in on a 108 o F day here in Phoenix. We had planned to drive down the Carefree Highway east to what Oliver describes as a very interesting area of two villages near where the local parish church is located, after Jeremy returned from the Sports Grill and his infusion of the Raiders Nation. He has returned, but alas we will pass on taking the drive until tomorrow, as I must eat my dinner before 7 p.m., in order to complete the 6:30 a.m. fasting blood labs at Mayo Cllinic in the morning. Thus we would be cutting it too close to be back in time to eat these delicious bbq ribs in a less than enjoyable, swallow them whole, fashion. So manana to change scenery for awhile will have to suffice. It has been an amazing afternoon wittnessing the ongoing responses to Teres' sharing earlier about her daughter Lauren's finishing 12th out of 200 competitors, at the Stanford Cross Country event. I agree with the other respondents on Facebook to this posting, that Lauren is an amazing runner and we are proud of her and glad that Teres shared the news with us. Jeremy has already called several of my contacts list friends with the updated progress report I assured them my caregivers would make. Curtis is following up with more calls to his share of my contacts list from the transplant day and with my blogging and e-mails, the word as to how I am doing should be effectively and extensively imparted. I am going to walkabout the front and backyards of the house for a short while, before the grilling gets underway. Thanks for reading and responding.........In Jesus the Christ,
"Transplant" Troy

POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT SUNDAY # 5 - I AM BLOGGING, OLIVER IS AT MASS, JEREMY IS WATCHING FOOTBALL.........

On this Day 33, following my kidney transplant, the fifth Sunday since the transplant took place, I am writing my second blog column for today, after checking my e-mail, while Jeremy is watching the broadcast NFL football games and Fr. Oliver has gone to Mass, at Our Lady of Joy Church. He will be bringing Holy Communion back to me. I am looking forward to attending Sunday Mass there myself, two weeks from today, our final Sunday in Phoenix. With my strength and stamina increasing by the day, I should be able to attend and participate in a full Mass by then. Jeremy intends on returning to the Connolly's Sports Grill /Pub for a few hours this afternoon, to watch the otherwise blacked out here Oakland Raiders game. Meanwhile, Oliver will marinate the spareribs we are BBQ-ing for dinner tonight. As I have fasting blood labs starting at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Mayo Clinic, my dinner must be eaten by 7 p.m., tonight. Today's Phoenix temperature is expected to reach 108 o F, after reaching 106 o F, yesterday. Ironically, it will remain in the low to mid 100's through Tuesday and the forecast is to drop to 95 o F, on Wednesday, the day Fr. Oliver returns to Ireland. Having taken my morning meds between 8-8:15 a.m., and my blood sugar being a low 87, after registering 94, at bedtime; my temperature at breakfast time was 96.8; my weight was 215 lbs.; and at 10 a.m., my blood pressure was 205/81; (likely a result of last night's french onion soup, which has significant sodium, and is another reason as much as I enjoy it, that I eat it sparingly) and my pulse was 85;. I will be having the remainder of the Shepherd's Pie from last night for lunch in a couple of hours and will kickback and chillax until taking my daily walkabout. In this heat and humidity today we will have to choose a cooler setting than 108 o directly. My blog has surpassed receiving 300 visits, since I started it on April 19. Thank you to all my blog followers and regular readers.........All My Love + Gratitude, Fr. Troy

DAY 33 POST TRANSPLANT...AND ANOTHER REASON TO REMEMBER THIS DAY 29 YEARS AGO.........

Our dinner out at Connolly's Irish Pub and Sports Grill on East Carefree Highway last night was wonderful. A very Irish menu was on offer, from our starter BBQ Guinness Meatballs, to my entree, Shepherd's Pie. I also enjoyed a bowl of French Onion Soup, not as good as Deborah McNamara's, but nice. Oliver had a house salad with Apricot Chicken and mashed potatoes and Jeremy selected the Pork Chop with seasonal vegetables. I brought enough Shepherd's Pie home for Sunday lunch. Sunday Dinner we are planning on BBQ-ing Spareribs, another of my favorites, just ask my former Folsom/Citrus Heights cook, Jane McGrath just how much...Looking at the calendar, it being September 27, means I and my CSUS Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brothers have another reason to remember and commemorate today. This is our CHARTER DAY, or was September 27, 1980, when we became a fully chartered chapter at Sacramento State. This year, the 29th anniversary of that hallowed and hard worked for attainment is poignant, as just 4 months ago the chapter closed on the cusp of it's 30th year. I am honored and privileged to be the first recruit of the colony and the second initiate in the history of the chapter, Phi Pi Zeta 2, and am proud to have served for several years as the President, Vice President, Fraternity Educator, and Alumni Affairs Secretary, as well as an Executive Committee member of the young colony and active chapter at CSUS; and as the President and the Alumni Chancellor of the Superior California Alumni Association; and then while Pastor in Oroville, Alumni Chancellor of the former Chico State University active chapter.
I greet, salute, and remember, all my good brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, in the greater Sacramento area and throughout the United States and Canada. From Tom MacKenzie, Jon Salinger, Kevin Stevens, Robin Blair, and the late, great, Bob Butcher, the six of us who were the Original Six Sacramento initiates; to J. Patrick McCarthy, Gary Vinson, Jon Doak, Bil Cinnamon, George W. Spasyk, S. George "Doc" Dirghalli, Willis Tate, Clay Myers; to Merv & Mike Carson, Curtis Richards, Larry Thill, Wade Haley, Mike Wilson, John Keyes, Mike Mugnaini, David Bugatto, Captain Brian Welch, my champion, so valiantly contending for the past nine years with ALS-Lou Gehrig's Disease, and the awe inspiring Matt Cologna; and to all my Phi Pi Zeta brothers, in the honest friendships and shared experiences, in Zeta Alpha Chi. I say, let us always celebrate Our Charter, and all it took to achieve it and to maintain it over the past 32.5 years. Now that it is but a memory, may we keep its spirit and purposes alive in our hearts and interpersonal, fraternal experiences...Enough sentimentality from yours truly. As Brother Bob Towery, recently commented of moi, in response to one of my blog columns, "For an old softie, I am quite a toughie". I am not sure about that, but as you well know, dates, details, numbers, and anniversaries, I do tend to remember.........More to Come this Sunday after a good night's sleep.........Peace + Prayers, in Faith, Hope, + Love, Brother Father
Troy David Powers, Phi Pi 2.

"RETAIL THERAPY", IN PARADISE VALLEY MALL, PHOENIX, ARIZONA.........

Father Oliver and I returned just over a half hour ago from a two hour, retail therapy trip to the Paradise Valley Mall, four miles beyond the Mayo Clinic Hospital. It is a very spacious shopping mall, with four major anchor stores : Sears, J.C. Penney, Macy's and Dillard's. We browsed through all four stores and made a few purchases. In Dillard's my fiscally conservative self decided to supplement my summer shorts and shirts, by paying 70 % off for three sets of trunks and three Jack Nicklaus golf shirts. Given the Arizona heat and humidity and my convalescence mode, I am wearing mostly summer shorts, tees and lightweight cotton shirts. Especially while my incisional wound continues to heal. Jeremy and Oliver are watching a movie as I blog, and we are going across the Carefree Highway in an hour to have dinner tonight at Connolly's Irish Pub and Sports Grill. As I have for the past several years my beverage of record will be iced tea or diet 7 up/sprite zero. The two hours walk in the mall, more than met my walking quota for today. My diischarge instructions are to walk 10 more minutes everyday. That's all for now.........MORE SOON...Fr. Troy

SATURDAY MAIL CALL BEFORE NOON.........

The Post Office substation, two miles east down the CareFree Highway, closes at Noon on Saturdays, so Jeremy and I made an 11:15 a.m. trip down to get the mail. More cards and letters, including a Fed Ex delivery, and two more greeting cards from my daily correspondents, Karin + Roger Geach. I am monitoring today's news on MSNBC this morning and CNN this afternoon. Oliver is having his brunch, while I will take my afternoon meds and insulin and eat lunch within the hour, more of his delicious Spaghetti Bolognaise...We are going to dine out tonight and then return for a leisurely evening, perhaps watching a movie. Not sure yet what the afternoon holds, but it will be good, I am sure.........Love + Prayers, Fr. "Transplant" Troy

POST TRANSPLANT DAY 32...A SATURDAY OF REST AND RELAXATION IN 106 o ARIZONA HEAT.........

After a week of relatively mild temperatures by Phoenix standards, in the mid 90's to low 100's, the mercury is heading up again and expected to rise today and tomorrow, to 106-108 o F. Fr. Oliver is not quite melting, but is definitely feeling the heat much more than Jeremy and I are. And I must admit, it is HOT !! The two of them are likely to lead us back to Lake Pleasant, so that they can jet ski for a while to cool down, while I sit on the dock and watch them enjoy themselves. I first witnessed the delight Oliver derives from jet skiing in Lake Tahoe, back in the early 90's. I am also reminding him there is a swimming pool here in the Trapanotto Estates and the extra sized jacuzzi on the patio in our backyard, the temperature of which he can adjust downward, to cool off for awhile. Jeremy is right on time with taking my morning vitals and is giving me my meds, with my breakfast cooking. My blood glucose is 152, this morning, which is starting to come down the past two mornings since Kathy, the Mayo Clinic Diabetic Nurse increased my bedtime, long term, Lantus insulin to 40 units nightly...Breakfast was great. The eggs were perfectly over easy; the bacon crispy, the toast wonderful, and my first of three glasses of milk today, delicious. After 2.5 years of being limited to 4 ounces of milk daily and no bacon, I am reveling in enjoying them both again. The coffee is brewing, as I await Oliver's appearance downstairs. For now, he's enjoying his king size four poster bed too much !! We may go to the shopping mall in Paradise Valley today, for O.D.M.'s retail therapy and to give me the opportunity for a lengthy, controlled environment, walkabout in the mall. Bishop Jaime Soto called to check in on me again yesterday and we had a very nice conversation. I told him he will hear back from me at least once, before my departure from Phoenix, three weeks from today, Oct. 17.........Peace + Prayers, until Later - Fr. Troy

5 FRIDAYS FOLLOWING MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT WITH THINGS LOOKING UP.........DAY 31...

Today, September 25, is the fifth Friday following my kidney transplant on August 25, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital Arizona, in Phoenix. It was four weeks ago today that I was initially released from the hospital, three days after my transplant and three weeks ago today that I was readmitted to the hospital for the urinary tract / bacteria in the blood infection I contended with for a few days. Thanks to the adept diagnosis and the timely treatment the Mayo team of doctors and nurses carried out and the antibiotic regimen I am taking, they successfully eradicated my severe abdominal pains and stopped my infection. On the kidney transplant front, my incisional wound's pain continues to diminish and I am only having to take my percocet pain med or tylenol, every 24-36 hours at this stage of my healing. I am also walking further distances daily as is recommended, with lesser difficulty than it was a month ago, in the first weeks just after my transplant. Jeremy was awake and up at work caregiving for me right at the scheduled time of 8 a.m., without a wake up call required. My morning meds and breakfast appeared in short order on the table positioned in front of me, while I watched the NBC News Today show. A bowl of raisin bran, bacon, yogurt, a glass of milk, and a cup of coffee were my chosen breakfast menu this morning. Father Oliver has also awoke and will be down for his breakfast shortly and then we will decide how we are going to spend this totally open, unscheduled, day. My Mayo Clinic medication refills will arrive by mail today and I will need to go to Walgreen's up the street and get my other prescriptions, not provided by Mayo Clinic Pharmacy. I must also replenish my weekly supply of nuts, the cashews and peanuts I have missed so very much since my renal failure was discovered, 2.5 years ago...I just received an informative phone call from Mayo Clinic radiological nurse, Eileen, who called to discuss the Kidney Biopsy and Ultra Sound I will be undergoing on Monday. Her explanations and answers about the procedure were letter perfect and confidence building, as she told me that it is a short and straight forward procedure...I am looking forward to having chili beans and rice for lunch, before we go to pick up the mail. One of my favorite mid morning news shows, "Andrea Mitchell Presents", has begun on MSNBC, so I will sign off until later.........All My Best in Jesus the Christ, Fr. Troy

A VERY GOOD ENDING TO AN OTHERWISE TOPSY TURVY DAY 30 AFTER MY TRANSPLANT.........

Given the way in which this 30th day after my kidney transplant began, with my sisters pulling out on me in the wee hours of the morning and my emotional rollercoaster going into overdrive for several hours, this day is ending on much more productive and positive notes. First, the very good labs and follow-up reports at the Mayo Clinic this morning as chronicled in my earlier blog column today; Second, the all important fact that Jeremy is here and will be staying with me through the next 24 days and my return to Sacramento, on October 17; Third, Father Oliver's timely and as always, generous, fraternal and helpful visit, assisting with my caregiving and serving as the all important antidote to the downward spiral of my emotional rollercoaster; Fourth, knowing that there are far more persons who unconditionally care and are here for me interpersonally, spiritually, prayerfully, financially, loyally, from hundreds to thousands of miles away, who are my undeniable, God Is Good FAMILY, and stick with me through thick and thin, without exception. Those four things and the support and companionship of Jeremy and Oliver in getting me through this topsy turvy day, have made a real and positive difference in my attitude and confidence tonight. This afternoon's appointment with the Diabetic Nurse at Mayo, was also an affirming experience. She was pleased to welcome Oliver and Jeremy as my current caregivers and was satisfied with the detailed, written record, Jeremy has kept for the past 5 days of my blood sugar counts, so that she could map out an insulin plan for the coming 2 weeks. Her adjustments after immense difficulty two weeks ago, in even devising a way forward, was to leave the basal level of Novalog short term insulin 3 times a day, at 12 units, with a sliding scale of extra units above 150; and to increase the Lantus long term insulin nightly, to 40 units, to address the higher than desired pre-breakfast blood sugars I am getting. According to her, the hopeful sign now and going forward is the 99 and 110, blood sugars that I have had recorded as well, in the past 5 days. So all in all, I have reason to celebrate and to be optimistic tonight and I am. A lesson I learned some years ago, also applies. "Throw good money, after bad", which can be paraphrased, 'Embrace a much more positive experience to supplant a lesser satisfying one', is my way forward to a constructive and fulfilling conclusion. In other words, "Keep my eye on the prize", and my post transplant will please God, be full healing, restored health, return to fulltime ministry, and resuming a pastorate of the Church, soon. I hope this blog column has achieved its intentions- sharing my wholistic post transplant experience with all of you, honestly and reporting my authentic experiences during these weeks of convalescence and required caregiving with unvarnished truth and accuracy. Peace and Prayers, overnight and for a a fantastic Friday,.........Fr. Troy

A TOPSY TURVY DAY 30, POST TRANSPLANT.........

As this Day 30 after my kidney transplant unfolds it has been a ttoopsy turvy one thus far. My sisters decided overnight to depart for Sacramento, 3.5 weeks short of the completion of my stay in Phoenix. We had a longer than usual wait between the 7:05 a.m. labs and the 9:15 a.m. follow-up appointments. Jeremy will remain with me for the duration of my stay as my primary caregiver, with assistance from Father Oliver through next Tuesday night and Paul and Sharon Freidrichs, on the weekend of October 3 & 4. My blood labs and follow-up appointment were all very good today. My morning blood glucose count was 141; my creatine level is 1.6; slightly up from Monday, probably according to the Physician's Assistant Jason, due to my elevated Prograf level; my potassium level is 4.7, up the middle for normal; my hemoglobin is rising as it needs to, to 12.1; with 13.2 + being ideal; my leukocytes are at 6.4, an acceptable white blood cell count; and my magnesium level 1.5; with my blood pressure this a.m., being 142/82; not bad for a topsy turvy morning. As I write this blog column Jeremy has given me my 17 units of Novalog short term insulin, and Oliver is preparing my lunch, which is cream of celery soup and a turkey breast and black forest ham sandwich..........What a delicious lunch it was, with a few of Oliver's favorite crunchies, Cheeto's, thrown in for good measure. We head back to Mayo Clinic now for a 1 p.m. follow-up appointment with the Endocrinology Nurse for diabetic review. I am hoping for a much more productive meeting versus the last one two weeks ago, which the nurse declared unproductive, due to inadequate recordkeeping on our part, and meter readings that were inaccurate. The three of us men remaining here haven't decided what the afternoon will include after my Mayo appointment, but I am confident it will be good.........All My Love, Fr. Troy

POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT DAY 29 - OUR AFTERNOON ON LAKE PLEASANT.........

This afternoon, Oliver, Jeremy and I, returned to the Lake Pleasant Marina and rented a speed boat for an hour and spent that time on the lake. It was relaxing, rejuvenating, and really awesome. The crystal blue water way was wonderful to behold as we moved down the six miles of the lake and then,the six miles of an adjoining river. Returning to the Trapanotto House, Oliver prepared me a 6:15 p.m. dinner as tomorrow is my fasting labs-follow-up visit morning at the Mayo Clinic. Then it will be back to the house to chillax until we decide what to do with the rest of Thursday and I do my afternoon walking. I am hoping baked ham will be dinner tomorrow evening, as ham has been disallowed on my diet the past 2.5 years. All My Best until tomorrow's next blog column.........In Jesus the Christ, Fr. Troy

ON DAY 29 POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT - WAKING TO THE AROMA OF A HEAVENLY BREAKFAST.........

After a very peaceful night's sleep, I awoke 30 minutes ago, to the wafting aroma of bacon and eggs cooking in the kitchen and voila, Jeremy at the stove preparing my breakfast. He just weighed me in at an unofficial 212 lbs., with the Mayo Clinic recording 214.6 lbs. yesterday. After last night's delicious BBQ dinner, I hardly lost 2.6 lbs. in the past 24 hours, thus the difference between an amateur and professional weight scale. The outing we are planning today is a return to Lake Pleasant Marina and Harbor, to do some boating and where Father Oliver and Jeremy will jet ski, which I would try if I could, but alas, cannot as at this stage of convalescence I am not allowed to be submerged in water, but only briefly shower in it. My morning blood sugar was 110 today, the acceptable upper limit, thus requiring only 12 units of Novalog, short term insulin, with no sliding scale. My temperature this a.m., was 96.9. Alene is the early bird of my two sisters and is awake and emptying the dish washer as I write this blog column. I am looking forward to another relaxing and recreational day, cognizant that my dinner must be before 7 p.m. tonight, in order to fast for the blood labs at 7:05 a.m. tomorrow. A Monday/Thursday Mayo Clinic itinerary this week is otherwise maximizing my down time enjoyably, leaving plenty of time to feed my newsy-nosy personality, as I refer to my penchant for current events and contemporary issues. Venturing into what I anticipate will be another fullsome day, there will be more to come later today. All My Love.........Fr. Troy

A MOST WONDERFUL FIRST DAY THIS VISIT WITH ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS.........

Day 28 after my kidney transplant yesterday, was one of the fullest and most active days of my convalescence period yet, a most enjoyable and fulfilling day, with my seminary classmate, priestly colleague, loyal friend and spiritual brother, Reverend Father Oliver Maher, of Kilkenny, Ireland. As my primary caregiver Jeremy Lipp, has already observed since Oliver's arrival in Phoenix Monday night, he can tell the major difference having Father Oliver here is positively having upon me. I can truly say if it is possible for a Catholic priest to have a soulmate, Oliver is definitely one of mine. We are truly in sync in a most effective and unconditional way, even though we are 6,000 miles apart most of the time. As one of our mutual Irish friends Brigid Mullins, in Kilkenny, a great friend to me herself, told me more than a decade ago, "Troy, we all know who your best friend in Ireland is, and his name is Oliver Maher". That surely has been and continues to be the truth, in season and out of season, through the ups and downs of our lives, daily, weekly, monthly, year after year, for over 27 years to date. Yesterday he not only took me grocery shopping, to the bank and post office, but guided us to the Lake Pleasant marina and recreational area, 12 miles down the Carefree Highway, given our mutual enjoyment of such scenery. And tonight he prepared the meat, corn, and potato salad, we had for dinner, with an assist from Jeremy, who did the BBQ-ing. Oliver is himself a great cook, having learned well from his late mother Noreen, who I affecctionately referred to as, "Mother Maher". One recipe he makes particularly stands out for me and he has said he will cook it during this week, that is, Spaghetti Bolognaise. It is by far one of his specialty dishes and simply scrumptious as well. Oliver's visit is also not only interpersonal and morale focused, but one of caregiving too. He and Jeremy are taking charge of providing my primary caregiving this next week, including accompanying me to my Mayo Clinic labs and visits. And yes, my fine friend wil also find time to do a little, "retail therapy", at one of the local malls in the vicinity, Macy's being his favorite American store. The icing on my Oliver cake yesterday were phone calls shared with my Sacramento classmate, Father Eduino, my second father and vocational mentor, Msgr. Ed Kavanagh, and my very dear 31 year CSUS and Washington, D.C., friend and brother, Curtis Richards. There continuing support, encouragement, and counsel, are helping keep my spirits high. Tonight also brought a blog comment from my Sacramento area friend Mary Carson, which I appreciate very much. The night owl in me, is fading so I will sign off for now, only to write further blog updates later as this new day, #29, post transplant, progresses. God Love You.........Fr. Troy

4 WEEKS AFTER MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT : MY FIRST FULL DAY WITH FATHER OLIVER IN PHOENIX.........

A most delightful night and first morning with Father Oliver, that included our going to the supermarket together and having him gift the house with more than $250.00 of groceries for the week. Agenerous friend/brother to me, he is indeed. Now we are going on an afternoon outing twelve miles down the Carefree Highway to Lake Pleasant, which is meant to be a very scenic resort area nearby. We will have lunch there and enjoy the sights. Jeremy already sees the truly positive effect having Oliver here with me, like Curtis Richards transplant visit was, is for me. When I say they are two of the nearest and dearest friends/brothers I will ever have, their presence on occasions like this continue to underscore that truth. And that in no way takes away from the myriad of other close friends are with me through thick and thin.........We are BBQ-ing again tonight, chicken legs for starters and sirloin steak as our entree. with corn on the cob and salad, and frsh fruit and ice cream for dessert....We have just returned from our afternoon excursio twelve miles west off the Carefree Highway to Lake Pleasant Boat Marina, where we took in the sights and had lunch. We will return one day this week to boat and jet ski, two of Father Oliver's favorite activities on holidays. Dinner preparations are underway as Oliver is making the potato salad and the steaks and chicken are marinating for the BBQ. I have just had two wonderful phone call with Msgr. Kavanagh and Fr. Eduino, each who are checking in with me regularly. Tomorrow is another free day, and then appointments again Thursday at the Mayo Clinic. The Infectious Disease Doctor said yesterday at my appointment with her, that she believes my Valley Fever positive blood labs , may be a false positive and nothing more. But to be safe in responding to them, she is recommending I remain on Diflucan anti rejection drug permanently, as I will several of the others...More Soon. Peace + Prayers, Fr. Troy.........

PART TWO POST TRANSPLANT IN PHOENIX STARTS IN A FULL, BUSY, BUT EXCITING WAY.........

The second half of my post kidney transplant care and convalescence here in Phoenix at the Mayo Clinic Arizona and the Trapanotto Estates houseI have rented is underway, with what will be a full, busy, but exciting day. Jeremy and I, drive the 20 miles to the hospital within the hour for my blood fasting labs and follow-up appointments with the Transplant Nurse Coordinator and the Physician's Assistant. I will take my morning meds and insulin at the hospital and then have breakfast in the hospital cafeteria, before we proceed back to the house for a few hours, and lunch. At 3:30 p.m., my appointment with the Infectious Disesae Doctor is scheduled to determine the plan for addressing the Valley Fever question and then after a few weekly errands and dinner, Jeremy and I will proceed to Sky Harbor Airport, some 33 miles from the Trapanotto House, to retrieve Fr. Oliver, whose flight from Ireland arrives in just before 8 p.m., tonight. That for me is the truly exciting part of today. Having him here with me for the next 9 days, in friendship, fraternity, fellowship, and fidelity, to everything our interpersonal relationship of nearly three complete decades denotes, support, solidarity, caring and concern for each other's well being. I am supremely confident that teaming Oliver and Jeremy together as my primary caregivers during the coming week, will more than provide for my post transplant convalescence in a thorough and focused way. And as I write this blog column and the less than 15 hour countdown to Oliver's arrival continues, there is a strong hint that despite the broken hip he suffered 3 months ago, that Msgr. Edward J. Kavanagh may appear here during Oliver's stay to visit with us and catch up on all things Kilkenny.........So my happiness and anticipation for several fantastic days ahead are increasing by the moment. I will keep you posted here on my blog, as time permits. Thank you all for being continuing rays of sunshine in my present condition. To the 20 persons who sent cards and gifts on Saturday, and to our lady of Lantana, my 30 year friend and St. Rose's parishioner, Sara Nava, whose phone call to me o Sunday was a joy filled sunburst, that truly rounded out my day. Her call checking in on me, led to the BBQ-ing Jeremy wonderfully did for us last night and the 61st annual Emmys, as always one of the televised mainstays in my life. Bring on this day...Until later, once Oliver is here......
Prayers + Peace, Fr. Troy.........

THE HALFWAY POINT IN MY MAYO CLINIC, PHOENIX ARIZONA, KIDNEY TRANSPLANT EXPERIENCES.........

It is 26 days following my kidney transplant at the Mayo Clinic Arizona, here in Phoenix and the precise halfway point in my extended convalescence stay. Part One is done and Part Two is starting and brimming with positive energy and hope filled expectations. The first half of my stay has been breaking into the post transplant requirements and the trials and errors of learning to get things right. I am grateful for the assistance my sisters and volunteers are providing me as caregivers, but also very much appreciate that to date, I have retained my lucidity and have been able to assure that certain components of the caregiving not get lost in the shuffle of daily events. The Mayo Clinic is meticulous in providing us with instructions and directions, - the challenge is following them, referring to them, and writing it down, so as to be able to do all that is necessary without overlooking anything or second guessing ourselves. The Transplant Team has been very helpful, patient, and understanding, of the times we have come up short and gently but directly, reminded us to do things better in the future. As I have said before, a lack of patience when things do not happen as they are suppose to, has always been one of my chief weaknesses. That is now exacerbated by the frustration and upset caused by the anti-rejection drugs I am taking. Currently all my daily meds add up to 70 tablets a day. My standards of expectation are high, on this front due in part to the outstanding retired R.N., Mary Ann Pujals, who was my primary caregiver for a more than 15 month period 5 and 7 years ago, in the early months and years after I was diagnosed, operated on, and convalescing, for my diabetes. After 45 years as a nurse at Mercy Hospital, her focus, attention to detail, and daily presence were perfect. I am not complaining, rather comparing the experiences, realizing it is like the difference between apples and oranges. The Transplant Center specifically requires primary caregivers be family members or personal friends, in order that the transplant recipient (me) am more than just another patient of hard working nurses or other paid semi-pro caregivers. Why ? So that the focus be on my needs and constant care, during this initial convalescence and so that, companionship / friendship, is included, as a vital ingredient as well. That only truly comes with a volunteer nurse like Mary Ann, or the family and friend relationships that I have, such as with my sisters, Alice and Alene, and my friends/parishioners, Jeremy, Joe, Paul, Sharon, Dave, Fr. Oliver, et al...So as we start the second half of this Mayo Clinic Arizona / Trapanotto House post transplant convalescence period, I am very hopeful things will continue to improve on all fronts and that my healing and care will proceed auccessfully, so as to return me to Sacramento, strengthened and renewed, if not quite yet completed with my initial convalesence period afrer my kidney transplant.........Gratefully Yours in Jesus the Christ, Fr. Troy

P.S. - One more reminder : My mailing address while in Phoenix until October 17, is -

515 EAST CAREFREE HIGHWAY #163
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85085

Please send all mail to that Address and NOT to the house address. THANK YOU for all your cards, gifts, and calls.........TDP

A POST TRANSPLANT POSITIVE EXPERIENCE OF COURTESY AND CONSIDERATION.........

As Jeremy and I stepped out of the front door of the house an hour and a half ago, a big surprise was awaiting me. The neighbor postwoman, graciously delivered mail addressed to me here at the house for the second time in two weeks, although there is no home mail delivery to this address. We were on our way to my rented mailbox, only to discover at the front door, an even greater volume of mail, in fact, 20 greeting and get well cards from parishioners and friends. How wonderful, especially following my brief internet difficulty. Jeremy prepared my lunch - a wonderful turkey and monterey pepperjack cheese sandwhich on toasted Roman Meal bread and a bowl of Cream of Chicken Soup. I am not sure yet what tonight's dinner is tonight, but I am anticipating Jeremy's BBQ-ed Chicken tomorrow night. I am feeling stronger and much less sore todayand it has been 24 hours since I took my last dose of percocet pain medication. Turning, standing, or sitting for too long does cause me some pain, but only about 1-2, on a scale of 10, being the worst. The prayers, Masses, thoughts, and good wishes, of my parishioners and friends are helping to sustain me well. And the addition of Jeremy to the caregiving schedule is increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of getting the bases covered. As a priest over the past seven years, I have found that having a combination of women and men providing for my needs works best for me. Thank you to everyone of you who are continuing in your own unique ways to assist me, spiritually, interpersonally, financially. My faithful friends and loyal parishioners, are simply the BEST !!!!!!!!!.........Love, Prayers, + Gratitude, Fr. Troy

MY QUEST AFTER THREE WEEKS IN THE CONVALESCENCE HOUSE IS TO KEEP THE INTERNET ACCESS ONLINE.........

For the fourth time in less than three weeks in this beautiful vacation convalescence house in Phoenix, at which my caregivers and I are residing through October 17, the internet access went down again 30 minutes ago, despite Qwest's apology and assurances earlier in the week. I had to work with it myself for a half hour and luckily got it restored. I don't understand why local access only means anything worthwhile to a computer user like me at all. Internet access is necessary to maintaining the communication I desire with the wider world. My e-mail, blog column, and ability to research, making guaranteed, assured, internet access indispensable. I maintained my patience during this current reversal of operation, thanks to an Andy Griffith Show marathon playing on TV Land. Alas, unless my neophyte technological self can continue to successfully address these continuing interuptions in internet access, I will have to spend additional money and bring in a church computer tech. At a time post kidney transplant when I can use every dollar I have for my caregiving and medical expenses. Alas, dealing with Qwest has proven a waste of time and money and an expensive lesson...Before lunch we are going down to get the mail and take my daily journey outside these walls.........More to Come later. Fr. Troy

MY FOURTH POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT SATURDAY BEGINS...DAY 25 OF MY PRIMARY CONVALESCENCE EXPERIENCE.........

So the fourth weekend of my post transplant convalescence is underway. It promises to be quiet and uneventful, "chillaxing", as my Toronto friends say. I had a very restful night of sleep after being put through my paces yesterday by Jeremy and my sisters. He is catching on fast, so it will be interesting to see how today goes. My excitement is building for Father Oliver's arrival in just 58 hours, as I know the enjoyment his nine days in Phoenix, will bring me. As I write this breakfast is cooking and has my mouth watering, as the bacon and eggs sizzle in the pan. Jeremy, Alice, and I, are talking about one of my Irish nicknames, 'Bozo', which fell to me as a result of my using the term with the lads, who had never heard the word before meeting me in 1982, and in turn declared me, The Grand High Bozo !!!!!!!!! To this day, some of them still refer to me affectionately as, "Troy Bozo", or my seminary classmate Father Eduino's Portuguese version, which is, "Boso". I have ran with it for years, sending Kilkenny newspaper and magazine clippings of Bozo running for Governor, President, etc. Alice has breakfast cooked an Jeremy will administer my morning meds now, so More Later on this Day 24, with my new, flowing, kidney.........Love + Prayers, Fr. Troy

TODAY'S POST TRANSPLANT, "MESSAGES" BEYOND MY CONVALESCENCE HOUSE.........

We have just returned from my daily excursion beyond the convalescence house, down the highway east to the rented mailbox, and then cut back up the highway west, to Albertson's for groceries. Alice, Jeremy, and I, took the supermarket by storm getting ready not only for our kitchen made meals but our first BBQ here in the backyard on Sunday. Jeremy will be BBQ-ing for us, chicken breast and legs. I will also enjoy the homemade potato salad, as that has been on the high potassium, hit list the past two and a half years. Like has been today I am looking forward to a very chillaxing weekend, in anticipation of Oliver's arrival Monday night and next's week's blood labs and follow-up appointments.........Happy Rosh Shashana to my Jewish friends. Peace + Prayers, Father Troy

DAY 24 POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT - THROUGHLY ENJOYING CAREGIVER JEREMY'S VISIT ALREADY.........

14 hours after his arrival here last night, I am already enthralled to have Jeremy Lipp, my La Ros Blanca Restaurant waiter and personal trainer, here with me as a caregiver and a friend. He is so spirited, energetic, and thoughtful, in responding to me and proving for my post kidney transplant caregiving. Jeremy and my sisters, Alice and Alene, are striking up a nice rapport and complement one another in carrying out my primary caregiving. Jeremy will be teamed with them this weekend and with Fr. Oliver during his nine days visit with me as of Monday night. We are preparing for our daily trip out to the post office and then need to go to the bank and the store to prepare for the weekend. Now that there's a male caregiver in the mix for the duration of my stay, simplifies the completion of my daily ablutions. Especially showering, as my weakened abdominal muscles are making standing without support especially in water, difficult. His presence will be of assistance in assuring my safety while in the shower. My incisional wound scab is peeling away naturally and the expected fluid discharge from it has not occurred yet, if indeed it does. We have decided to maximize our use of this very beautiful and well maintained backyard veranda and lawn, by BBQ-ing Sunday evening. My pain level has reduced to only a 1-2, on a scale of 10, and it has been more than 10 hours since my last necessary pain meds dose. Jeremy, with an assist from Oliver, will be doing the driving here in Phoenix until we return to Sacramento. He is excited to be here helping to take care of me, is in Phoenix for the first time, other than to pass through town on the way to Mexico, and he tells me this is the first time he has traveled away from home this distance without other family members. Kudos and appreciation to him for taking valuable time out of his college, work, and personal schedule, to provide for, and support me, in my post transplant convalescence.........Love + Prayers to Everyone of You, "Transplant" Troy.........

BACK TO THE MAYO CLINIC AND SKY HARBOR AIRPORT ON DAY 23 POST TRANSPLANT.........

Another early start at the Mayo Clinic this morning, for 7:05 a.m. blood fasting fasts and my 8:45 a.m. follow-up appointments with the Transplant Nurse and Physician's Assistant. Jason Bodner, the P.A., who studied at Midwestern Medical School which has campuses in Chicago and Arizona, was very pleased with the progress I have made in the past week. My blood pressure todayre was 140/70; my pulse was 60; my temperature was 98.3 F; and my weight this morning was 210,6 lbs.; an increase of 5.6 lbs. since Sunday. My lab values today are morning blood sugar, 156; my creatinine level is 1,5; potassium level 4.9; hemoglobin 11.1; leucocytes 7.3; and my prograf level will be determined this afternoon. All in the acceptable range. On Monday I will see the infectious disease Doctor about the Valley Fever occurences. At this stage Jason says from his discussion with the ID Dr., that I will likely be kept on Diflucan, one of the anti rejection drugs, a transplant patient is weaned off of, but that I will take for life as a precaution. We go to the airport tonight to pick Jeremy up at 9:15 p.m., and tomorrow he will begin his month's share in my caregiving. I will make him the primary driver for the duration of our stay in Phoenix and Fr. Oliver with his love for automobiles, will assist as well the nine days he's here. I enjoyed Alice's homemade beans and rice last night for dinner and will have them for lunch today as well. Dinner tonight is pot roast, another of my longtime favorites. I was very disappointed with the winner of this season's 'Amerca's Got Talent', last night. In my estimation the voting audience picked the weakest singer finalist as the winner, over far superior others. Barbara Padilla, Drew Stevyns, Voices of Glory, and Lawrence Beaman, were all better choices in my estimation. Especially with $1,000,000.00 and a Headliner Show in Las Vegas as the grand prize. Here's hoping you all have a great day. It will be restful and relaxing from now on given today's medical appointments are done.........Peace + Prayers, Fr. Troy

GIVE ME TODAY A DAILY GALAVANT.........POST TRANSPLANT DAY 22.........

I am feeling reinvigorated being able to get out of the house for about 45 minutes to go down to the post office for the mail and a trip to Walgreens to refresh my snacks. The mail brought a wonderful get well card from Dolly Johnson from Presentation Parish, who works with us as a volunteer in the parish office and several other greeting cards from Karin and Roger Geach, one of them including thoughtful photographs taken at my pre transplant farewell party at Original Pete's in Elk Grove on August 17, photographs of me aand Bishop Quinn, along with Karin, Rose Sapanaro, and Lou Richmond, both of whom I know from St. Robert's Parish in South Sacramento. Thank you Karin, they are a nice addition to have here in Arizona exile. Jeremy phoned me this morning to confirm his arrival tomorrow, which I happily welcome. I spent my time after breakfast today e-mailing and on Facebook exchanging messages with Mary Carson, Carole Salerno, Scott McKenna, among others and sending messages to Dave McAfee, Rob Buckner, Mike Riddle, and Joe McNamara, while surveying and selecting other Facebook friends to add to my circle online. I watched U.S. Senator Max Baucus' news conference announcing his Senate Health Care Reform Bill on, 'Andrea Michell Presents', and the news of the day on CNN and MSNBC; and watched as my grandmother Powers used to say, my one (soap) "story", 'The Bold And The Beautiful', on CBS. Lunch is ready, so I will end for now. More To Come........."Transplant" Troy

DAY 22 POST TRANSPLANT - ANOTHER DAY OF REST AND RELAXATION, HEALING AND VENTURING OUT.........

After sleeping well overnight, I am up and at it again, watching the Today Show and awaiting my sisters waking for my 8 a.m. medications and breakfast. I wish it were possible to provide them for myself, but that is not possible during this period of my convalescence, and an integral part of why 24 / 7 caregiving is required. It will also be the beauty of finally having Jeremy Lipp here with us as of tomorrow; Fr. Oliver Maher next week; and Paul and Sharon Friedrich the weekend of October 3 & 4, for as Joe DiMarco's two weekends of relief care with me proved, it is much more easily accomplished having more than two primary caregivers in the mix. My increasing appetite and the impressive punctuality of Mayo Clinic Hospital's earliness and punctuality in delivering meals, has me more than ready for a full breakfast by 8 a.m., when my morning meds are scheduled to be administered. I am feeling quite well as I begin my day and desirous of doing my most walking yet, outside the boundaries of the house. I will do that in our gorgeous backyard and also go on the drive with my sister Alice, to the post office box and to Walgreens. Tonight's dinner menu has me excited, a home cooked pot of beans and rice and a raisin bread, just like my mother used to make. I just watched a Today Show story on tonight's Season Finale Results Show naming the Winner of, "America's Got Talent', which will have several special musical guests, among them 'Britain's Got Talent' phenon, Susan Boyle, making her first in person, American television appearance. Tomorrow it is back to the Mayo Clinic for fasting blood labs and follow-up appointments, conveniently arranged for 7:05 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., with no need to return in the afternoon, so that my morning meds and breakfast will take place there at Mayo Clinic. Other than that on Thursday I await a call from Jeremy as to what time his flight arrives in Phoenix, as we will be going to Sky Harbor Airport to pick him up. He will have a full day Friday learning the ropes of caregiving for me, but he's a quick learner and I am sure will fall right into place. Jeremy will certainly round out not only my caregiving, but the companionship component, as Father Oliver also will. Looking forward to what today brings...More later......All My Best.........Fr. Troy

THE TRUE JOY OF A BROTHERLY FRIENDSHIP FOR LIFE.........

I am greatly blessed to have several dear and close friends. They are friendships forged over 20, 30, 40, or more years that have remained central in my life. Near the very top of all of these truly special interpersonal relationships is my 27 year fraternal friendship with my seminary classmate and brother priest, Reverend Father Oliver Desmond Maher. Earlier today I received a very gracious e-mail from Oliver celebrating the 27th anniversary of the day we met, September 13, 1982, the day we began at St. Kieran's Seminary. About two and a half hours ago, he called me and we discussed this and many things, including his 9 day visit here in Phoenix to me, starting next Monday night. For the third time in the past seven years, Oliver is making an extra speccial, medical visit to see me and help with my post transplant caregiving. That is the friend and brother he has been to me almost from the beginning. Yet, on the day we first encountered each other, he thought to himself, "This Yank, in the bold green with gold letters, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity jersey and brown, plaid, pants", was in the Irish term, a "daft" loud mouth, as he looked through his upstairs window down on me in the yard, introducing myself, " Hello, I am Troy David Powers, Sacramento California !", to the other "lads" (seminarians) I was meeting.
At that moment he rued the possibility of being stuck with me in St. Kieran's for the proceeding six years...The next day we first year seminarians were whisked off to the Peace in Christ Diocese of Ossory Retreat House, for three days of orientation and faculty introductions. And over those three days something almost magical happened as we came to really get to know one another and we bonded. From our return to St. Kieran's to start our classes that Friday - until this moment of time, we have become and remain, the closest of friends and brothers. Father Oliver describes these 27 years as a, "wow", we have and continue to experience. I am now and forever grateful to him for being such a friend and brother to me. I can only hope and pray that I reciprocate his magnanimity and presence to me. The new set of memories we will make to add to our great treasury of memories made already, for the nine days Fr. Oliver is here next week wets my anticipation for seeing him and sharing this portion of my life's journey with him. As I complete this blog column, Mary Hopkins, a Presentation parishioner in Sacramento, just called me to me inform me of fellow parishioner, Angie Pugliese's death at age 89. Mary has led prayers for me at Presentation for the past seven years, five years before she met me personally, that being the faithful and caring woman of prayer she is.........Love, Prayers, + Gratitude, Fr. Troy

3 WEEKS AFTER MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT : PROUDLY PROGRESSING DAILY.........

It has been 3 weeks today since my kidney transplant at the Mayo Clinic Hospital Arizona, here in Phoenix. Surprisingly to me, I am feeling much better and stronger than I thought things would be at this point. Other than the urinary tract and blood bacteria infection of ten days ago, which the antiobiotic regimen I am taking has effectively gotten under control, my condition is improving with each day that passes. I am feeling stronger by the day and the Transplant Team and others are commenting on how much better I look. My urine production has increased from only 6-8 ounces voided daily prior to the transplant, to 64-80 ounces daily post transplant. I am voiding at least hourly throughout the day and every 2 hours on an average overnight. My appetite has returned with a prolific passion, as I rediscover foods and beverages I was not allowed to eat or drink on a renal failure diet. My blood sugars are elevated, due to the anti-rejection drugs I am taking, which was expected to happen. Avoiding frustration and stress is important in that regard also. A lack of patience and frustration when things do not go as expected, are a lifelong shortcoming, and temper my otherwise positive feelings and good morale. The personality change I was told to expect due to my post transplant medications has not really taken hold, although I do have my moments. The ability to communicate beyond this convalescence house and Phoenix, is an indispensable part of the frustration and stress I have described, which is why the phone, mail, e-mails, and my blog, are vital ingredients in maintaining a positive and constructive attitude. I am also very happy to have retained my lucidity and am trying not to sweat too many bullets over meeting the daily expenses and cash flow to make those payments daily. I have spent over $7,000.00 more of my own money in the past three weeks for more than $30,000.00 in personal outlays for my kidney transplant in the past 4 months, with with just under $10,000.00, in donations and $1,300.00, in reimbursements, thus far. But I am confident God, Bishop Soto, and the Diocese, and my family and friends, will continue to support me and see me through this financial challenge. I am also grateful to the Mayo Clinic for covering their pre transplant medical costs, and Blue Shield, for covering the costs of the actual transplant and post transplant hospitalization expenses. My prayers and personal reflection have me thinking about other transplant candidates who are not in a financial position to meet the personal expenses of a transplant. I am starting to believe my post transplant ministry may entail in part, advocating for kidney transplantation and finding ways to assist others with the start up costs of preparing for a kidney transplant. That's in the future. Presently, I strive to push forward in coming weeks to full healing. My sisters, Alice and Alene, Jeremy Lipp, Fr. Oliver Maher, Paul and Sharon Freidrich, who like Joe DiMarco has, will be care giving for me the next 5 weeks, andI am confident my faithful and loyal circle of friends and past and present parishioners, will be with me in this vital endeavor.........Peace + Prayers, Fr. Troy David Powers.........

DAY 20, POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT @ MAYO CLINIC & TRAPANOTTO ROAD.........

On this 20th day after my kidney transplant, my morning started early as we were at the Mayo Clinic Hospital before 7 a.m., for the fasting labs and follow-up appointments. Fortunately, as it also included Joe DiMarco's departing flight back to Sacramento, he went with us to the fasting labs, we drove him to the airport and returned to the Mayo Clinic as the follow-up appointments were at 10:15 a.m. It made for a full morning as on our return to the house I had to stop at the Bank to do my weekly transacting and to the post office box to get the mail which included my new One Touch blood glucose meter and two greeting cards from Karin & Roger Geach, one marking Bishop Francis Anthony Quinn's 88th Birthday last Friday, the other commemorating the 27th anniversary of my entering St. Kieran's Seminary, in Kilkenny, yesterday. The lab reports all came back good and moving in the right direction. Including a blood test re-draw measuring whether or not I have a mild form of Valley Fever, for which I have tested positive twice in the past three months and then negative again with the follow-up re-draws. Reportedly, 70% of the people of Arizona and New Mexico are diagnosed with Valley Fever in their lifetime. It also occurs prominently in California's San Joaquin Valley. The Physician's Assistant has decided to have me see the Infectious Disease doctors to determine what is occurring in that regard. A relaxing afternoon and casual evening round out the day. I plan on watching 'America's Got Talent', season finale and though not a big fan of his, I will as I always do, watch the premiere of, 'The Jay Leno Show'. Macaroni and Cheese and Ham, are tonight's dinner. My incisional pain is subsiding daily, and I am going 12-18 hours between doses of tylenol or percocet, mostly tylenol at this stage. The redness in the incisional wound stayed pretty much within the markings place around it on Friday, and no change has been made in my antibiotic regimen. Jason the P.A., believes the antibiotics I am taking are sufficient. Qwest responded to my Saturday blog column, with an apology for the problems I have encountered the past two weeks. Appreciative of their acknowledgement, I stand by my statement and will continue to pursue a personal computer technician through the local parish...Thanks for your continuing correspondence, e-mails and blog comments. Your communication from 800 miles plus away, I am very grateful for.
Love, Prayers, + Gratitude, In Jesus the Christ, Fr. Troy.........

DAY 19 IN REVIEW - ANOTHER SUNDAY WINDS DOWN IN TRAPANOTTO ESTATES...PHOENIX.........

Two more Hallmark Channel movies in the 'Jane Doe' series, starring Lea Thompson, filled my afternoon with Joe, after the 49'ers/Cardinals game. Hooray for the Niners victory and their 1-0 record to start the new NFL season. My latest phone call from Father Steve Avella, rounded out my afternoon. He is such a good and wise man, a learned scholar, and a generous and caring friend to me. Our Lady of Joy Parochial ADM, Father Patrick Farley, also returned my call to the parish office yesterday, to check on how I am doing and verifying I received the Holy Communion the parish sent to me this morning with Joe, and responding to my request for information regarding Our Lady of Joy's computer tech. H e says they contract it out through the Diocese of Phoenix and that the Parish Maintenance Supervisor will return from vacation on Tuesday and can give me the pertinent information. I would prefer to pay a competent, capable , honest person, to handle my technical support for the next 5 weeks and not suffer fools who the landlord says he too is finished with for their ineffectualness. My dinner time blood sugar count was a relatively lower, 122, as compared to 160, at lunch. Having taken only two tylenol thus far today, now 7 hours ago, and feeling no inordinate incisional pain, I am hoping to hold out to at least 12 Midnight before taking the next dose. So all and all, a very good day. I voiced mailed Father Oliver, received three e-mails from Karin Geach, a phone call from Roger Geach, and have had a thoroughly enjoyable day on the internet. Tomorrow brings the first of three more fasting labs and follow-up visits to the Mayo Clinic this week, which will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. Jeremy Lipp arrives on Thursday and Father Oliver next Monday, and Msgr. Kavanagh plans to come and see me while Oliver is here. I watched the 60 Minutes interview with President Obama and their memorial profile/last interview, with Ted Kennedy concerning his written memoir, "True Compass". Thanks for reading today's entres to my Transplan Journal.. More tomorrow. Very Truly Yours in Jesus the Christ, Fr. Troy.........

DIET, EXERCISE, AND ANTI-REJECTION DRUGS 19 DAYS AFTER MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.........

One of the culinary joys I am rediscovering after 2.5 years of contending with a severely restricted renal diet in addition to my diabetic diet, are foods I am now alloed to eat such as bacon, ham, beans, nuts, ice cream, yogurt, fresh oranges, peaches, and nectarines. To that end, I had a toasted, bacon, lettuce, tomato, with mayonaise, sandwich for lunch with a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a glass of milk. Oh so wonderful. Just like the ham and cheese omelettes were in the Mayo Clinic Hospital. As I am blogging this we are watching the SF 49'ers / Arizona Cardinals game. Not to be ungrateful, but, GO NINERS !!!!!!!!!...Karin Geach has e-mailed twice today and her husband, Roger called thirty minutes as he has regularly the past 7 years of my life. "Peaches from the Geachs", as I call their generosity and friendship, has come faithfully for the 27 years since I entered St. Kieran's and their children are still some of the best Confirmation students I ever had, right up there at the top with my #1 student, Tony Clark. The Geach Family like so many of my friends and parishioners, have truly become FAMILY to me.........
M y newest high mark between doses of pain meds is 18 hours, from 6 p.m. last night, to 12 noon today. And I am only taking tylenol this weekend until my percocet prescription is refilled in the morning...Not sure yet what dinner will be, but I Carnorvore, knows it will be meat based.........TO BE CONTINUED...Fr. Troy

THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE REFORM DEBATE GETS SERIOUS.........

The first thing President Obama said in his Address to a Joint Session of Congress Wednesday night, is very true - our National, Health Care Reform, initiative began nearly a century ago when President Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican, proposed a National Health Care program for the United States, as the Progressive Party candidate for President in 1912. And yet for 97 years, the special interests, status quo, and bought politicians, have thwarted it, leaving our country as the only major industrial country in the world and the wealthiest and most affluent, not to provide health care as a right for all our citizens. It is a scandal that tens of millions of our Americans cannot afford, or go without guaranteed health care and suffer disease and illness inordinately and often times, unnecessarily. Common sense and Compassion for the dignity of the human person, not their sole ability to pay or their bank account, should be the rule of thumb for providing quality health care for all our nearly 300 million American citizens. Since 1933, Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and William Clinton, have attempted to get the Congress to pass a national health care reform. The recently deceased Senator Edward Kennedy made it what he called, "The cause of his life", to get it enacted. But until now, the lobbies swaying the Congress and expending millions of dollars in campaign cash to buy their opposition, and potent opponents until now, like the American Medical Association and the Insurance companies, reaping obscene profits in the face of necessary reform, have effectively blocked passage of a health care reform program. As the President proclaimed last week in his Address,..."the time for bickering, (talking the issue into the ground, and partisan politics) is over. The time for ACTION ( and legislative enactment) is NOW". Why we need to wait one more year for significant and vitally necessary reform boggles the mind. Let us Pray that the Congress and the Nation, will heed the support of Catholic-Christian leadership in our country, led by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, and support finding the ways and means to equitably make provision for the vulnerable members of the United States of America, where no American is left uncovered or suspectible to health problems that preventive and assured care will help them effectively address.........Fr. Troy David Powers

DAY 19...POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT - THE 27TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAY I ENTERED ST. KIERAN'S SEMINARY.........

Sunday is starting much better than yesterday. I am awake and up, after a peaceful night's rest and looking forward to televised Mass, Holy Communion coming to me from the local parish church and the Sunday shows. Today will also be special as it is the 27th anniversary of the day I entered St. Kieran's Seminary in Kilkenny, Ireland and met Oliver and all the lads who more than a quarter of a century later have become a lasting part of my life. Father Oliver will be arriving a week from tomorrow on his latest visit to me, to check up on me in person, and to assist for nine days with my caregiving. It will be the third medical visit he has made to see me in the past 7 years of my diabetes/kidney ordeal, and very much appreciated by me. His generous presence is the essential spirit of our interpersonal friendship. He is always there for me and I try to be there for him. I am indebted to him and all my Irish friends for their unwavering friendship and support thrrugh these nearly three decades. Two weeks ago they held a, "Walk Down Memory Lane", Dinner Party to celebrate my kidney transplant and unite in solidarity with me across the miles. They are truly wonderful people : Father Oliver, ADM of St. Mary's Cathedral in Kilkenny and his Family; Father Dan Bollard, our seminary Spiritual Director, now Parish Priest of Thomastown; Monsignor James Cassin, our Moral Theology professor, former President of St. Kieran's College, now the Irish Bishops' Education Liasion; Father Doctor Dermot Ryan, of Ossory, who recently completed his doctorate in Theology and successfully defended his dissertation in Rome, garnering one of the highest scores recorded in this generation; Brigid Mullins, who with her late husband Michael and their children, have been a mainstay in my life throughout my priesthood and who has remained in constant contact with me by telephone during these harrowing years; Kevin and Geraldine Butler, who we've know from the beginnings of our St. Kieran's experience 27 years ago, when Ger was the new college secretary and Kev whom she was dating then, would arrive to drive her home each evening. Over the past eighteen years we have watched them raise their two children into near adulthood; Michael and Patricia Shortall, our world traveling friends, whose 3 Riverside Drive home in Kilkenny is a home away from home for four decades to innnumerable priests and friends, with their, 'Midnight Straganoff", and 'Bar Shed', of "Patty on the Patio" fame; along with Fathers Martin Tobin, Kieran Cantwell, Paddy Dunne, Paddy Baker; and Liam Campbell and his Family; Kay, Stephen, Paul McDaid and Family; Gerry Cleere; and the man who was the Shepherd of Souls as Bishop of Ossory from 1981 - 2007, and who has become a magnanimous and wonderful friend through all these years, the Most Reverend +Laurence Forristal. I thank him and all the above for their faithful friendship, and congratulate them again on Kilkenny's 4th ALL IRELAND HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP in a row last Sunday.........More to Come on this day later...Fr. Troy

DAY 18 POST TRANSPLANT WINDING DOWN PLEASANTLY.........

My 10 p.m. blood sugar count was a first time today normal of 80, which is the lower floor for normal. Anything below is potentially in the danger zone. Just as anything above 180 -200 is too high. Thus my dinner time Novalog,(short term insulin) dose of 17 units and my dinner of chicken, mashed potatoes and gray and corn on the cob and a yogurt as a Hallmark Channel movie nack were good choices. and the 80 count averages out my average blood glucose level today at 161.5, only 11.5 over the 150 floor for acceptability. Joe DiMarco and I watched the Hallmark movie, 'Citizen Jane'. together tonight and it was very good, full of dramatic twists and turns...Joe is going to attend the 9 a.m. Mass tomorrow morning at Our Lady of JOY Parish, down Carefree Highway East which I will be watching on Dish TV Channel 7, live. Hopefully Joe will be bringing Holy Communion back to me...I am so happy to be back online blogging, e-mailing and social networking. I eagerly await your responses and messages. Love + Prayers,.........Fr. Troy

DAY 18...POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT...A FRUSTRATING DAY OFFLINE DUE TO QWEST.........

Sorry for my delay in blogging to you today, dear friends. Since 11:30 p.m. last night, until 15 minutes ago, for 18 long hours, my internet access was down again and Qwest the local provider was ineffectual in getting it on line again, until talking to their 3rd technician in 5.5 hours. Alice and Joe combined spent that number of hours on the phone trying to get it restored. For the prolonged inability to resolve the problem for 5.5 hours, theey were capable Thursday of double charging me $39.99 warranty guarantee renewal fee, which as of last night they had not reimbursed me for...Enough venting given my frustration level today. Otherwise, I am feeling okay. The incisional wound doesn't seem to be progressing problem-wise, and considering I have taken the last percocet left in my prescription until Monday, I haven't yet taken a tylenol yet today, although it is about time too...My blood sugar counts remain slightly high 183 at breakfast; and 186 at lunch. 150-180 is my goal. It is not just diet or time between meals and blood sugar takings, but the anti-rejection, as well as frustration that causes it to be higher than it should be. Alack of patience has dogged me all my life and impatience increases my frustration, thus my feeling for most of today.........MORE SOON, later tonight. >>> Troy the "Transplanted"

FATHER TROY's TRANSPLANT JOURNAL...DAY 17......POST TRANSPLANT.........

My 10 a.m. return to the Mayo Clinic for follow-ups and lab results bore more good news. My prograf anti rejection drug range is back down to the acceptable level - 9.3 compared to 16.5 last week and earlier this week. My creatinine level is 1.5, up but only slightly and all that I am experiencing with the transplant completed, causes that, according to Jason the Physician's Assistant. There is some redness in the incision area overnight, but Jason marked the parameters and said to call over the weekend should iit spread, thinking I am on enough antibiotics presently to handle any possible infection. He will decide seeing me on Monday whether to adjust my antibiotic regimen to address it. After picking up Presentation parishioner Joe DiMarco at Sky Harbor Airport, we returned to Mayo Clinic for a 3 p.m. meeting with the Endocrinology (diabetes) Nurse, Kathy. She was very patient in reviewing my blood sugars over the past week or so, as my meter has converted to metric readings requiring extensive deciphering to get accurate blood sugar counts. She and her colleague Mary finally facilatated getting me a new meter for precise blood glucose measurements. Lunch was finally served just after 5 p.m. this evening, and between eating and the evening news, I opened 7 newly arrived get well greeting cards from Sacramento. Then, on the CBS Evening News, the topper...An Assignment America feature story by correspondent Steve Hartman, about a Phoenix taxi cab driver and a cranky middle aged woman customer. Turns out she is a dialysis patient with no family member or friend who can be her donor for a kidney transplant. The taxi driver decided to test as her prospective donor and the test results came back indicating they are a near perfect match. The woman will be receiving a kidney transplant by Christmas. All because of the generosity of an unlikely donor. Talk about spiritual telepathy bringing them together.........Peace + Prayers, Troy the Transplanted.........

3 MAYO CLINIC APPOINTMENTS TODAY.........

This Friday September 11, brings 3 separate visits to the Mayo Clinic. 7:05 a.m., for fasting blood labs and urine draw; 10:15 & 10:30 a.m., for follow-up visits with the Transplant Coordinator and Physician's Assistant; and 3 p.m., for today's lab results and adjustments.........Presentation Men's Club member Joe DiMarco returns for weekend relief caregiving for me, at 12:35 p.m., and my third post transplant weekend gets underway. I am eager to learn what mail arrives and of course, e-mails, blog comments, and phone calls, as the weekend unfolds. I wish Presentation Parish well with their annual, 'Presentation Days'. Time for breakfast, then after a brief rest it's back to the Mayo........Have a great day !...Fr. Troy

SWEET 16...A QUIET, BUT PRODUCTIVE, POST TRANSPLANT DAY IN PHOENIX.........

What a restful, relaxing, second day in a row, without a return follow-up visit to Mayo Clinic Arizona. It has been quiet and uneventful, allowing me quality time monitoring the news of the day on radio and tv, and interneting on my laptop. Sally and Frank McNamara just called from Sacramento, checking in on me and Msgr. Kavanagh is visiting them, viewing the All Ireland Hurling Final between County Kilkenny and County Tipperary, last Sunday, which Kilkenny won for an unprecedented 4 championships in a row.........I also received an e-mail of peace and good wishes from my newly retired Sacramento colleague, Fr. Jack Folmer today. Ed Kavanagh also mentioned earlier that Fr. Frank Lawlor has retired. Both Jack and Frank are Ruby Jubilarians, celebrating their 40th Anniversary of priestly ordination this year. My incisional pain level remains no more than a 3-4, and that is when I am in movement, up and about. I am sleeping and napping solidly ovenight and during the day, without my pain disrupting the possibility. I am awaiting more of the tasty and most welcome spaghetti and meat sauce for dinner again tonight and for dessert, delicious sugar free banana split ice cream. I will have dinner within 45 minutes as my 12 hour fast for tomorrow morning's blood labs starts at 7 p.m. Here's to hearing from some of you by blog or e-mail later.........Love, Prayers, + Gratitude,.........Fr. Troy

FATHER TROY's TRANSPLANT JOURNAL 2 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS WITH MY NEW KIDNEY.........

Today is a day of leisure, relaxation and rest. I am watching CNN, MSBC, C-SPAN, and e-mailing, blogging, and social networking. Tomorrow bring more fasting blood labs at 7 a.m., at Mayo, and the results and follow-up visit in the afternoon, with the return of my weekend caregiver, Joe DiMarco...My incisional pain today continues to subside to the degree that I went 14 hours between my percocet medication overnight, my longest period between doses to date. On a scale of 1-10, with 10, being INTENSE pain, I am about from 1-3 maximum, most of the time. It is 105 degrees F, here today, hot, but tolerable. I feel a nap coming on as I watch Wolf Blitzer in the Situation Room, on CNN.........TO BE CONTINUED >>> Fr. Troy

COMMUNICATIONS PICKING UP.........DAY 16 - POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT...

After watching the President's Address to Congress and the after speech coverage, I switched over to the semi-finals of, 'America's Got Talent', and went 5 for 5, in selecting the second five finalists this year. They will pick the grand prize winner next week. E-mails and Facebook entries picked up substantially in prime time, after a relatively slow day hearing from anyone. Today is a second free day away from Mayo Clinic, but we return there early tomorrow for labs and then in the afternoon for my next follow-up visit. I asked Alice to make enough spaghetti last night so there is more today, the even more delicious second day of absorbed pasta flavor. My pain level stayed at bay for most of yesterday, almost double the time between doses allowed. I am walking more and not tiring as quickly and my gait is improving daily. But I still keep the black, metal, cane close at hand. The last two nights my desire to stay up and watch
Letterman, Conan, and Jimmy Fallon, at least in part, has returned. All a
part of the healing and comfort level I am experiencing. It should be a good day here. MORE TO COME as this Thursday, Day 16, post transplant unfolds........."Transplant" Troy

ONLINE, HOPEFULLY FOR THE DURATION OF OUR STAY IN PHOENIX.........

$29.95, turned being a one time only fee, whereas for the duration of our stay in this house it was actually $39.99, so ca-ching, the human ATM I am becoming, had to expend that amount, to assure my accessibilty and dependabilty on having the internet available for my sharing with you. It took 5.5 hours to get this accomplished, but my sister Alice seems to have prevailed with the Qwest technicians over the phone...please God......
My pain remains tolerable and I have been walking about the house with, and for the first time, without the cane short distances. I am still inclined to use the cane until the doctors tell me otherwise. I sent off my first two letters from Phoenix and await my sister's return with today's mail. She is also grocery shopping and will be cooking Spaghetti tonight, which I have only eaten sparingly due to the tomato sauce, the past two and a half years. And oh how, I love spaghetti !!!
I am in my element today and my morale is very good. Looking forward to reading your comments and interacting with you here on my blog.........Fr. Troy

DOWN AGAIN, UP AGAIN,...INTERNET ACCESS.........

The Qwest internet conncetion here in the house went down again after about 2 hours up online this morning. they are now telling us the internet router warranty needs to be renewed for an additional $29.00.........ATTENTION to ALL MY BELOVED FRIENDS AND PARISHIONERS : My Mailing Address here until October 17, is -

515 EAST CAREFREE HIGHWAY # 163
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85085

You can also E-mail me at -
troypow@yahoo.com

Or, leave comments on my blog -
troydavidpowers.blogspot.com

I am monitoring the news on CNN & MSBC, C-SPAN today in preparation for tonight's Presidential Address and Walter Cronkite's Memorial Service, as we get ready to go to pick up the mail and send off a few letters. It has been more than 4.5 hours since my last pain medication, with no need yet, for more. I have chatted with Father Oliver, congratulating him on Kilkenny's 4 in a row ALL IRELAND Hurling Championship, Sunday; and Curtis Richards to check in and discuss the news that U.S. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, champion of the Americans With Disabilities Act, has been appointed Edward Kennedy's successor as Chairman of the Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee. A very solid choice as its next Chairperson.........Love, Prayers, + Gratitude, Fr. Transplant Troy DAY 15.........

THE PRACTICAL UPS AND DOWNS IN THE POST TRANSPLANT CONVALESCENCE HOUSE.........

The house phones and internet access in this West Trapanotto Road convalescence vacation house in Phoenix is in the apt description of today's revisit of , "Beatles" mania - a, "Magical Mystery Tour". After successfully e-mailing and interneting Monday and yesterday, I unplugged from the living room wall during Letterman last night, plugging my computer back in moments later in my bedroom to no connection until ten minutes ago. It is my wider communication link to all of you, so a disconnection is quite a frustration for me. My sister Alice called Qwest and they walked her through re-connecting over the phone, so here I am, back online, thankfully. Otherwise, I had an uneventful, peaceful and restful night. My pain is lessening to the degree, that I went 10.5 hours between doses of my percocet pain medication and 12.5 hours by the time I took this morning's dose. Until Monday I was needing the pain meds by the time the four hour mark arrived. The healing and walking I am experiencing are working successfully. As the doctors, nurses and physician's assistant all said on Sunday and Monday, "my incision is all but healed". I also noted early this morning that sneezing which for the past two weeks has been very painful in the new kidney area, was normal, sans pain, for the first time in 15 days. I am about to eat breakfast and am watching pre-coverage of the President's Address to Congress tonight and the Lincoln Center New York Memorial Service for the legendary, iconic, and my all time favorite, birthday sharing newsman, Walter Cronkite...MORE LATER.........Fr. Troy

MY TWO WEEK POST TRANSPLANT PROGRESS REPORT....

My sister Alice and I, made my return follow-up and lab results visit to Mayo Clinic this afternoon and learned that although my Prograf anti rejection drug level is slightly high again overnight and my white cell is somewhat elevated since yesterday, overall, my labs are very good and in the words of Jason, the Physician's Assitant, I am, "No worse for wear of my urinary tract / bacteria infection over the weekend". He is suspending the prograf dose for tonight and adjusted it as of tomorrow lowering intake to 2 mg. in the morning and 1 mg. in the evening, down from 5 mg. each time, just 2 weeks ago. Jason also encouraged me to continue eating nuts, something I have not been able to do for two and a half years. Yummy. And to consume plenty more dairy products which have been severely limited during my renal failure/dialysis period. I talked to Msgr. Kavanagh and Victor today. Victor is still in significant pain, but the donor's pain is always initially greater than that the recipient. Jeremy Lipp also called checking in with me and assuring me he will be here on Thursday Sept. 17 , to caregive with me for the final month of my stay in Phoenix. One last note for this edition: County Kilkenny won their 4th consecutive ALL IRELAND HURLING FINAL in Dublin, on Sunday beating County Tipperary...So my commisserations to Father Bill Kinane and all the Tipperary priests and religious in the Sacramento Diocese, as Father Oliver and all my Kikenny friends are celebrating BIG-TIME !!!!.........Fr. "Transplant" Troy

POST TRANSPLANT JOURNAL DAY 14...BIRTHDAY of the BVM.........

Just back from my morning fasting blood labs at Mayo Clinic and awaiting President Obama's Address to School Children, which I will watch while having my breakfast, today is the liturgical feast day of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also the birthday of my CSU-Sacramento classmate, Teri Tenenbaum Currier. Happy Birthday Teri.........I t was also on this date 30 years ago, that I met Teres Bugatto Mugnaini. She was then a college freshman and I was a first semester graduate student, when we met at a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Recruitment Party. Both Teri and Teres have ties to Lambda Chi and were Little Sisters to our active chapter as undergraduates. I will return to Mayo at 3:15 p.m. this afternoon for 2 appointments. First with the Transplant Coordinator Nurse and then with the Transplant Team's Physician's Assistant for labs results and follow-up visits. Two weeks in, we are befriending other transplant recipients and their family members at the Clinic, with very interesting stories about their own kidney, liver, and heart transplants. And watching me the past two weeks they are commenting on how much better I look and how I am moving about with very good improvement. And I continue to experience the near perfect, pleasant and proficient team of doctors, nurses, technicians, registration staff and greeting attendants, that work for Mayo Clinic.
Adam, my blood lab tech this morning was the best, most conversant and friendliest one, yet. MORE TO COME LATER.........Fr. Troy

IT IS OFFICIAL : I AM BEING RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL TODAY.........

My Transplant Team Doctors confirm my condition is much improved and they will be releasing me from the Hospital, today - LABOR DAY. I will be taking a tablet antibiotic and they are adjusting my blood pressure and pain medications. I will be back here Wednesday for my next scheduled blood labs and follow-up visit, so the Transplant Team will keep a close watch over my progress. The nurses and physician assistant report my incision is virtually closed and my pain level is down to a 1-2, on a scale of 10. A happy and hopeful report.........Fr. Troy

LABOR DAY 2009 - FATHER TROY's TRANSPLANT JOURNAL DAY 13 WITH MY NEW KIDNEY.........

HAPPY LABOR DAY, EVERYONE !!!!!!!!! My Physician's Assistant today, Dave was just in to see me with very good news. My white blood cell count has returned to normal, Mayo Clinic Hospital has gotten on top of the bacteria in my blood and urinary tract infection, with today's labs returning negative for the second day in a row, and given I am feeling so much better, if Dr. Blair, the Infection Specialist, and Dr. Mulligan, my Kidney Transplant overseeing Doctor are concurring, they will release me to my rented house this afternoon. Alleluia !!!, my three day post transplant ordeal of pain and infection is all but behind me. I have been watching the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon since last night, and valuing with renewed sensitivity the chronic disesaes of millions that current medicine cannot yet conquer. It has me thinking greatly of my CSU-Sacramento classmate Captain Brian Welch and his family, and their 9 year continuing struggle with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease, which has nearly incapacitated him physicially, but not conquered his will to live or spirit of love. I am ecstactic to be getting out of the hospital and resuming some normalcy, including doing my banking, so as not to remain a 2 week plus red ink customer of the Bank of America. I will report further later today on my progress. Love + Prayers, Fr. Transplant Troy.........

POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT DAY 12...FATHER TROY'S TRANSPLANT JOURNAL FROM MAYO CLINIC HOSPITAL ARIZONA.........

My kidney transplant team of doctors have determined my current problem is a urinary tract infection, not any form of organ rejection, due to my suppressed immune deficiency caused by the transplant. They have identified the particular bacteria in my blood and are treating it with a specific antibiotic to knock it out. The doctors are of a mind to send me back to my rented house only after eradicating the bacteria from my blood, so that I will be on tablets not an i.v. once I am released from the hospital. My abdominal pain has totally subsided and my incisional pain is about the same it has been the past ten days, for which I am grateful. My appetite is returning again, and my fluid intake is increasing. Having my computer back online is a blessing as it helps to pass the lonely hours in this hospital room. My sisters and weekend relief caregiver visit me twice a day for an hour or so each visit, otherwise I have the constant presence of nurses and doctors and lab technicians, around the clock, like clockwork. E-mail, blog responses, phone calls and cards and letters, also break up the day nicely. I am waiting on the Hospital Chaplain to bring me Holy Communion. And I am standing by for MSNBC's rebroadcast of today's, "Meet the Press". Today is also the 31st Anniversary of my fraternal friendship with my very dear friend, Curtis Richards. Tuesday, I will also celebrate 30 years of friendship with Teres Bugatto Mugnaini and the Bugatto-Mugnaini Families.
Promising another update tomorrow.........Love + Prayers, Fr. Troy.........

SENATOR EDWARD MOORE "TED" KENNEDY 1932-2009

47 years ago, the youngest brother of the 35th President of the United States, just 30 years old ran for the United States Senate in Massachusetts, as his brother's successor. EDWARD MOORE "TED" KENNEDY, was elected to the first of nine terms, until his death from a brain tumor on August 25th, the night of my kidney transplant. Ted Kennedy's cause of death was the same as my own father's, a glio blastoma brain tumor, no one has ever survived for more than two years. During his nearly 5 full decades in the U.S. Senate Edward Kennedy who died at age 77, had one advantage his three older brothers never had - the length of years. Joseph, John, and Robert Kennedy, died at ages 29, 46, and 42, respectively. Ted Kennedy's length of years afforded him the opportunity to become one of the most effective U.S. Senators in the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, and one of the leading voices advocating for the poor, working class, labor, minorities, civil rights, human rights, health and education, in our nation's history. Four of the major pieces of legislation in which he played a pivotal role into passage are the Civil Rights Act of 1964; The Voting Rights Act of 1965; The Americans With Disabilities Act, in 1990; and The Family and Medical Leave Act in 1993. He was called the, "Last Liberal Lion", of the Senate for his steadfastness and tenacity for fighting for causes he passionately believed in. But although a dyed in the wool liberal Democrat, he was always able to cross the isle and gain significant Republican co-sponsorship for the major issues he championed. Yet, Ted Kennedy was far from perfect. Personal failings such as drinking, womanizing, divorce, and the most significant - Chappiquiddick, an automoblie submersion off a Massachusetts bridge in the wee hours of the morning 40 years ago, in which a young staffer of his late brother Bobby was killed, would forever haunt him. It may well have doomed his 1980 bid for the Presidency. But in time he turned his life around, remarried and went on to being an even more devoted and successful Senator, as well as father and surrogate father to his dead brothers children. One of my close friends, Joseph Patrick McNamara, has asked me to rank Senator Kennedy's 5 most significant speeches. From my Mayo Clinic Arizona Hospital bed, without much research, I would say among them are : 1.) The 1980 Democratic Nati0nal Convention Speech, ..."The Hope still lives, the Cause endures, the Dream lives on"...in which he conceded his failed presidential candidacy; 2.) The Eulogy at his brother Robert's June 8, 1968 Funeral Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, at which point he became the titular leader and patriarch of the Kennedy Clan at age 36; 3.) His Chappiquiddick Address to the citzens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the country, explaining his role and responsibility for the Chappiquiddick tragedy; 4.) His Senate Judiciary Committee Speech in 1987, opposing the nomination of Judge Robert Bork for the United States Supreme Court; 5.) The last major Ted Kennedy Speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, three months after his brain tumor was diagnosed and against doctors orders, using the Inaugural words 0f his late brother, President Kennedy, on January 20, 1961, "The torch has been passed to a new generation", endorsing the election of Barack Obama and Joseph Biden for the Presidency and Vice Presidency of the United States. At the end of his life, EDWARD MOORE "TED" KENNEDY, was a devoted husband and father to his children and his dozens of fatherless nieces and nephews, an accomplished and very effective Senator with some 550 bills passed that he sponsored, an advocate for the struggling and the marginalized, and a repentant Catholic, who in his final days on earth wrote Pope Benedict XVI, a letter confessing and asking forgiveness for his sins. He will be greatly missed. May the Kennedy Family, our country and the world continue to keep his memory alive. Eternal Light shine upon him. May he Rest in Peace.........Fr. Troy

DAY 11 POST TRANSPLANT - FATHER TROY'S TRANSPLANT JOURNAL UPDATE.........

I am sorry for my 5 day delay in blogging you a Transplant Journal update. From Tuesday until Friday, there was no active internet connection in the vacation guest house I have rented. Then, Thursday night / Friday, I was experiencing severe incision and abdominal pains requiring a return stay at Mayo Clinic Hospital. I am writing this Father Troy's Transplant Journal From my hospital room. The doctors and nurses are monitoring my pain and running extensive tests to determine the reason for my increased pain. My white blood cell count is elevated, so they are thinking it may be some form of infection. I am feeling much better today, the abdominal pain has subsided and the incision pain denoting healing, is per normal. Hopefully, they will be releasing me back to the guest house soon. Joe DiMarco, from Presentation Parish is here to provide relief caregiving this Labor Day weekend, and stayed with me at the hospital overnight. His is the first of six weekends of assistance from the Presentation Parish Men's Club in Sacramento, they are providing me. Bishop Jaime Soto called me on Thursday, inquiring as to my progress and assuring me of his prayers and support. My sisters, Alice and Alene, and I are learning the ropes of 24 / 7 caregiving, and will please God, be joined by Jeremy Lipp on September 17. That's all for this edition. More tomorrow as my post kidney transplant experiences unfold. Prayers + Peace, Father TROY DAVID POWERS.........