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