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St. Louis Second Wind
Lung Transplant Association
Newsletter |
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| Volume 12 Issue 5 | May 2011 |
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St. Louis to Chicago Road Trip
My First Solo Trip
Post Bilateral Lung Transplant 09/26/10
By Bethany Sprague
I know you want to go! I've had it on your mind for months! I want to cut your caregivers' leash and make that road trip to family or friends on your own. I have had all kinds of queries such as can I drive for several hours alone? Can I organize my medications? Can I protect myself from crowds of the city? Can I save my energy?
My children, Max and Juliet, had not seen me since Thanksgiving. At that time, I was still pretty "rough". I was on oxygen and used a wheelchair for long distances. For Mother's Day weekend, I surprised them with a proposal for me to drive up to Chicago and spend just Mom time with both of them. Juliet flew in from NYC and we shared a hotel room. Max lives there.
Once in my car, I felt the shenanigans of freedom. I turned on the air full blast , put in my R.E.M. CD, and put my foot to the metal. I will admit, I belted out some tunes. To break up the ride, I stopped several times to walk at rest stops.
On my arrival in Chicago, both Juliet and Max met up with me. They were surprised at all the progress I had made and it was a great reunion.
I caught up with things I had missed from Chicago. We had authentic Mexican food at one of Max's favorite local places. We also had Dim Sum in Chicago's China Town. We went to Margie's ice cream place. When going out to restaurants, we would try to go during lighter populated times and I would situate myself facing a wall or away from major traffic. I kept up with my medications, blood testing, vital signs and PFT's.
On Saturday, when I fatigued a bit, Juliet and I opted to see a movie. After 90 minutes of losing ourselves, I was rested enough to keep up with the remainder of the day. At night, Juliet and I would do the New York Times crossword puzzles with Max on speaker phone until we finally tired out. Sunday, we said our goodbyes and I headed home. I did it!!
There is life after lung transplant and we all make the decisions on what that life is going to be. I appreciate my husband Stan's caregiving. I also appreciate the weeks that my children left their homes and jobs in other cities to be by my bedside. It was very awesome to spend Mother's Day weekend up and running with my children. And......this time, I was the one traveling!
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 We Remember
Mildred Brandenburger
Mildred (Millie) Irene Brandenburger passed away peacefully at home Thursday 9 June 2011 at age 86. She was beloved by all who knew her, and she cherished her dear friends in Second Wind. Millie was sponsor, counselor, advocate, friend and inspiration for hundreds seeking recovery and serenity a day at a time in AA and Alanon. She was an extraordinary mother to me and I shared her with countless people in the St. Louis area who also called her Mom. In lieu of flowers Millie requested contributions to Second Wind St. Louis, Meds and Food for Kids or the Alzheimer's Assn.
- Gary Brandenburger
Gary Brandenburger is the Second Vice President of the St. Louis Chapter of Second Wind. He and his first wife Linda we part of the group of founding members of the chapter. Gary has given countless hours to our members and the association.
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Immunosuppresant Medications
By Cheryl Wagoner Monti, PharmD.
Board Member, Walgreens Pharmacy
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June 2011 Anniversaries
By Jan Kwasigroh
I have been saying "Is summer ever going to come?" Went to sleep with the furnace on to chase away the chill and woke up to hot and humid! So summer is upon us, complete with graduations, weddings, and job hunting. Our first grandchild graduated from high school and that brought back the memories of my graduation and anticipation. Anticipation of joining the work force, going to bed when I wanted, eating as late as I wanted, and just being my own boss. Oh, to be young again. However, I don't think we ever lose the anticipation part of life. And for many of us it was the anticipation of breathing easier, enjoying family more, traveling some, and just savoring each moment that has brought us to this chapter in our book of life. Fifteen Second Wind folks are celebrating their June transplant anniversary and we smile with you!
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Summer Picnic 2011
Please join us for a fun-filled Second Wind Family Picnic on Sunday, July 10.
We'll gather at Tower Grove Park in South St. Louis at 2:00 PM for an afternoon of good food and great fellowship. We have reserved the Stupp Center* with both indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate the weather and those who need to be out of the sun.
Due to tight financial restraints, this year we are asking each adult for a $15.00 fee. But if your finances are tight as well, don't let this keep you from attending the picnic. Just let Linda Nottestad know when you RSVP.
Please RSVP no later than Thursday, July 7th to Linda Nottestad via email notty36@swbell.net or call (636) 343-0667 and let us know the names of the children and adults in your group. Also, mail your picnic donation made payable to Second Wind to Linda at 1708 San Simeon Way, Fenton, MO 63026. Please write
"picnic" on the memo line.
Hendris Catering will again provide beverages, barbequed burgers and other meat entrées. Each family is asked to bring a dish to share for potluck. In order to have a variety, we'd like to use the following assignment list as a guide:
Last names beginning -
A - F Salads/fruits - healthy stuff
G - L Casseroles - pasta, potatoes, etc. - filling stuff
M - R Vegetable dishes - the "almost healthy if it weren't covered with cheese" kind
S - Z Desserts - the most important food group!
These are guidelines only and we want everyone attending to enjoy the meal, so if there is a dish that your family is crazy about, by all means, make it! We also want this to be affordable for everyone, so if money is tight, a bag of chips will do. Really tight? Then just come out and enjoy the efforts of the rest of the crew. We want as many of our Second Wind family members as possible to be together and have a day to remember.
* The Stupp Center is located just inside Tower Grove Park off of South Grand Blvd. - the East Entrance of the park. Once in the park, take the first left on Osborne and follow for a short distance to the green copper-clad roof of the Center.
The address for Tower Grove Park is 4256 Magnolia Ave, St Louis, MO 63110 for those who would like to google or Mapquest directions.
We are looking forward to a great picnic!
Members of the Board of Directors
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Treasurer's Report
By Peter Nicastro
During May, Second Wind received $1,216.08. Because of your generosity, Second Wind provided $4,102.57 in assistance during May to six recipients. Payments were for medication, rent, groceries, gas, and utilities. We had other expenses of $161.99.
Dues Renewals
Tom Archer, Mike & Betty Merida, Annette Carr, Antoinette McEuen, Rodney & Rita Jones
Memorials
Mike & Sue Wallace in memory of Betty Wallace
In memory of Michael Poole: John & Laura Cain, Gary & Phyllis Kemp, Collen Hepner, Brandon & Melissa Menke, James & Nancy Mikel, David & Angela Mier, Patrick & Karen Burghgrave, N J Barling, Leslie Kessler, Molle Whitacre & Jonathan Webb, Linda Hartema, Ardel & Vanessa Menke, Jason & Heather Spiewak, Brian & A. Menke, Harold & Debra Hennen, Ilan & Rebecca Klinghofer, John & Linda Kucharski, Larry & Jan Kwasigroh, Robert & Victoria King
Honoraria
Frank & Tamra Vena in honor of Linda Britton
Other Donations
Ken & Linda Nottestad, Charles & Edith Wilson, and Jean Belford
Matching Gifts
Monsanto Fund courtesy of Debbie Stegeman
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 8th Annual Lung Walk 2011 -
Every Breath Counts
October 15, 2011
- Forest Park Visitor's Center
- 8:00 am Registration Begins
- 8:30 Memorial Service
- 9:00 Start Time
- 5K Race and Walk, One Mile Fun Walk
- On-line Registration Coming soon!
- More info call: Tom at 314.664.6360
Start organizing your team now! Team resources available on our Web site www.secondwindstl.org.
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Basket Raffle for Lung Walk '11
By Bethany Sprague
Two years ago, we tried a new feature at the Lung Walk - A Basket Raffle! It went so well the last two years we are doing it again this year and, more importantly, we need your help to make it a success!
For those who would like to create one on their own, we are looking for moderately priced, themed baskets. Some of last year's entries featured themes such as "Italian Dinner for Two, Pet Care, Holiday, Spa Sampler, Tea and Jam, Wine and Cheese." The possibilities are endless and it's easy to do.
In order to make the raffle accessible to more of our Lung Walk friends and family, this year tickets will be just $1 each or 6 for $5. We would ask that the total value of the items be no more than $50 maximum per basket - Unless, of course, if you collect donated items from local businesses or friends - then the sky's the limit!!
And yes, absolutely everyone can help! If you live too far away to prepare a basket and bring it to the Lung Walk, you can send a donation and we will pool the resources to make baskets. You can send new or gently used items that would make a good basket theme or monetary contributions to purchase items to be used. If you have items you wish to send, do so in care of Bethany Sprague Fine, 1136 Washington Ave., Unit 806, St. Louis, Mo 63101. And if sending a monetary donation, be sure to note "Basket Raffle" on your check made out to Second Wind Lung Walk.
If you are attending the Lung Walk on October 17th, be sure to plan to buy tickets and take a chance on some of these fun and useful baskets while supporting fellow transplant families through the Assistance Fund. Now more than ever, we need you, your family and friends to help make it possible to provide assistance to lung transplant patients.
If you have been helped by the Assistance Fund, you know what a blessing it is to have a resource when you need it most. And if you are blessed not to have needed it, then all the more reason to share your blessings with other transplant families.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.
bethanysprague@yahoo.com
cell (314-608-3717)
home (314-436-7588)
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Save the Date!
Matt Alber Concert
September 10, 2011
Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral
Matt Alber will be playing a benefit concert for St. Louis Second Wind on September 10, 2011 at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral in downtown St. Louis. More concert details to follow.
To learn more about Matt and his music visit his Web site www.mattalber.com. |
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Calendar
Our Second Sunday Social meeting dates are as follows:
July 10 - SUMMER PICNIC in Tower Grove Park See article in this issue for details.
August 14 - Chris' Pancake and Dining
September 11 - Chris' Pancake and Dining
October 9 - Chris' Pancake and Dining
November 13 - Chris' Pancake and Dining
December 11 - CHRISTMAS PARTY
We begin at 2:00 P.M. Bring a friend with you!
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