Transplant Speakers

President’s Message: Cupid’s Arrows

It’s the time of year when Cupid’s arrows start flying. I remember back in the days when I was in grammar school. Believe me that took a lot of remembering! The prettiest girl in the class sat on one side of the room and I on the other. On Valentine’s Day there I was with this bag of little sugar hearts with different sayings on each one. I was picking out the heart that I was going to give her. Very patiently, I perused each one. I came across the one I thought was perfect for her. It said, “I Love You.” I got up enough courage to walk over and give her the heart but the one I gave her said, “You have Cooties” on it. How did I do that?? The sentiment was still evident.

As childhood turns into adolescence the sugar hearts turn into a box of chocolate candy and then adulthood arrives with flowers and other gifts for those special people in our lives. Then there is the arrival of children and our love ends up being spread equally over our immediate family. It’s an experience that has no comparison.

Ed Hearn, his wife, Tricia and their son, Cody will share this experience with you in this month’s newsletter. The article updates their lives and the tribulations they are experiencing and combating as a family. This is a must read.

The love experienced on Valentines Day is not only confined to the immediate family but is given to extended family and friends as well. We at TSI would like to wish all our family and friends the most love and happiness you have ever had on this Valentines Day.

Frank Bodino
President

Dad Still Keeps Up With His Sons Following Ligament Transplant

Just weeks after competing in a mini-triathlon with his three sons, Kurt Person lost the ability to use his right shoulder.  Prior to the injury-causing accident, Person could often be found competing in triathlons, barefoot-water skiing, test riding motor cycles, All Terrain Vehicles and snow mobiles, or taking part in his favorite activity: playing ball with his sons.

While testing the brakes on an all-terrain vehicle as part of his occupation, Person crashed, severing the four main tendons and ligaments in his shoulder.

“I was told a break would have been easier to fix,” Person said. “After a month of immobilized healing, it became clear that a total reconstruction would be needed to restore the arm and shoulder function.”

What Person didn’t know was that somewhere, someone who had lost a loved one had donated tissue, making the reconstruction of his shoulder

“I was at home recovering when a postcard arrived in the mail,” Person said.  “Up to this point, the only information I had about the surgery was that it took twice as long as expected.”

The postcard he received told Person that someone donated the tissue that was used to repair his shoulder and “What a gift,” Person said. “I will remember this gift each time I throw a ball, ride a bike or just try to keep up with my active family.”

After less than six months, Person’s rebuilt shoulder is nearly 100 percent back to normal.

“My only limitation is that my fastball is not as fast as it used to be,” Person said.  He can, however, throw a ball with his sons again.

“This may not be a surprise, but I was a full anatomical donor,” Person said. “If something were to happen to me, I plan to pass this gift on to others.”

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The Eagles are Still Attacking the Organ Donor Waiting List

For about 10 years Jack Locicero and I have been going to Edison High School to speak with their students about the importance of organ and tissue donation. This year was no different.

When we walked into the high school we were once again greeted by a bevy of smiling, familiar faces with some gleeful questioning, “Are you back again?” Carolyn McElwain, the health teacher responsible for conducting the organ donation program in the school, met us and escorted us to the class. Believe me, I still need an escort even after all these years because I have no sense of direction when I’m in a building. On the road I’m fine but not in a building!

Our fist class begins when Carolyn walks in with two coffees, one black and the other with milk only. She doesn’t even ask us how we like it anymore… she knows. After speaking to about three classes, eleven o’clock rolls around and Carolyn enters with water for us. Once again she knows it’s time for me to take my transplant meds and is always right on time. Lunch time comes before you know it and there’s Carolyn again with Edison’s finest Italian cuisine waiting for us.

All this being said Carolyn has been a true hero in the field of organ and tissue donation by educating her students on the subject and inviting Jack and I to be special speakers for many years. I’d like to thank her and the rest of the health educators at Edison High for their perseverance in lowering the dreaded organ donor waiting list. They are making a difference!

Frank Bodino

Family of Love: A True Valentine Story

A couple of Months ago I wrote an article on Ed Hearn, an ex New York Met professional baseball player, who endured the transplant experience and his family that stood by him through this ordeal. I’m happy to report that other than the normal post transplant bumps in the road that Ed is doing well.

As a matter of fact, I was honored to receive a Christmas card from the Hearn family with a warm salutation and cordial holiday greetings. I also noted it was a card of love, unity and concern. This excerpt was written in the card.

Catcher on his baseball team

Omithology Kansas State Champion 2011

Driven to beat cancer

Yellow Lab Homer is his hunting buddy

Caring and compassionate

Avid golfer for school’s varsity team

Rather be sitting in a duck blind

Tackle box always close by

Excellent student in his junior year

Riding his ATV and he is carefree

Hunts every possible season

Endures chemotherapy with grace

Always positive and encouraging

Relies on God…

Never an option!

After going through the trials and tribulations of Ed’s transplant I find out there’s a new battle this family has to conquer. Cody, Ed and Tricia’s son, has developed cancer. After speaking with Ed and reading Cody’s site (www.CaringBridge.org/visit/CodyHearn), he is doing everything in his power to fight it. Through all the nausea, headaches and other side effects of the chemotherapy treatments Cody is receiving, I understand that with his faith in God, strong family unity and just pure determination Cody is doing everything possible to defeat this thing. As a matter of fact, one day after he completed one of his phases of his treatment he went out and beat his dad on the golf course. The following weekend Cody, who co-captains his St. James Science Olympiad Team won 1^st place in the gravity vehicle competition; 1^st in thermodynamics;    2^nd in the remote sensing competition and 5^th in the helicopter competition. His St James Thunder team also won the overall Science Olympiad Tournament. Now I understand when Ed and Cody walk down the street they no longer say, “There goes Ed Hearn and his son, Cody” but “There goes Cody Hearn and his dad, Ed.” Some grown men don’t have the courage to face a struggle the way Cody is handling it and is already a role model in his young life.

The true rock of this family is Cody’s mom and Ed’s wife, Tricia. Tricia is a professional nurse who not only practices on the job but does a wonderful job at home as well. Not only does she handle Cody’s cancer and Ed’s transplant but manages all the household duties of a wonderful mother and wife as well. You can tell that love and faith are two weapons that are a main part of her arsenal. No one can understand how important a caregiver really is until you have to rely on one. They are the real unsung heroes of any recovery and Tricia is definitely in that category.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Tricia and I’m quite sure some flowers are in your near future.

Frank Bodino

Social Media Saves Valentine’s Day

Love Letter Cookies

“Cookies that look like little letters.”

Prep Time: 25 Minutes Cook Time: 8 Minutes

Ready In: 33 Minutes Servings: 24

2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter

2 teaspoons lemon zest 1 tablespoon orange zest 1/2 cup sour cream 1 cup candied cherries, chopped

1.	Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C).
2.	Blend flour, sugar and salt. Cut in butter, lemon zest and orange zest until mixture resembles coarse meal. Blend sour cream in evenly.
3.	Gather dough into firm ball. Divide in half. Roll on well-floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut in 3 x 2 inch pieces; fold ends to center to resemble an envelope, overlapping slightly; seal with tiny piece of candied cherry.
4.	Place on ungreased baking sheet. Brush tops with water; sprinkle with sugar. Bake 6 to 8 minutes.

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11 Funny Valentine’s Day Jokes

The only good time for love to hurt is when it’s funny enough to split your sides. Make your sweetheart giggle this Valentine’s Day with this love-inspired joke collection.

Perfectly Paired Puns As Valentine’s Day approached, I tried to think of an unusual gift for my husband. When I discovered that his favorite red-plaid pants had a broken zipper, I thought I had the “perfect Valentine.” I had the pants repaired, and gift-wrapped them. On the package I put a huge red heart on which I printed: “My Heart Pants for You.” I was the surprised one, however, when I saw the same heart taped to our formerly empty, but now overflowing, wood box. On it he had written: “Wood You Be My Valentine?” – Contributed by Mary Lou Pittman

A Little Nuts About Love Driving through Southern California, I stopped at a roadside stand that sold fruit, vegetables and crafts. As I went to pay, I noticed the young woman behind the counter was painting a sign. “Why the new sign?” I asked. “My boyfriend didn’t approve of the old one,” she said. When I glanced at what hung above the counter, I understood. It declared: “Local Honey Dates Nuts” – Contributed by Theodore Bologna

Check Out a Romance I met my husband while I was working in a science library. He came in every week to read the latest journals and eventually decided to take out the librarian instead of the books. After a year and a half of dating, he showed up at the library and started rummaging through my desk. I asked what he was looking for, but he didn’t answer. Finally he unearthed one of the rubber stamps I used to identify reference books. “Since I couldn’t find the right engagement ring,” he said, “this will have to do,” and he firmly stamped my hand. Across my knuckles, in capital letters, it read “NOT FOR CIRCULATION.” – Contributed by Ruth E. Chodrow

Sweet Nothings (.com) My boyfriend and I met online and we’d been dating for over a year. I introduced Hans to my uncle, who was fascinated by the fact that we met over the Internet. He asked Hans what kind of line he had used to pick me up. Ever the geek, Hans naively replied, “I just used a regular 56K modem.” – Contributed by Anne McConnell

Pastoral Passion The lingerie store where my aunt works was crowded with shoppers selecting Valentine’s Day gifts for their wives. A young businessman came to the register with a lacy black negligee. My aunt noticed that the next customer, an elderly farmer, was holding a long flannel nightgown and kept glancing at the younger man’s sexier choice. When it was his turn, the farmer placed the nightgown on the counter. “Would you have anything in black flannel?” He asked. – Contributed by Christine A. Pandolfo

9 to 5 Love My husband, a certified public accountant, works 15-hour days for the first few months of the year. In spite of his hectic schedule, he took time out to order me flowers for Valentine’s Day. While pondering what sweet endearment to write on the card, he obviously began thinking of the many hours of work still ahead of him. His note read: “Roses are red, violets are blue. If I weren’t thinking of you, I’d probably be through.” – Contributed by Cindy Wolf

Mower Than a Greeting Card My friend Mark and I work in a lawn-mower-parts warehouse. Somehow Mark got the idea that his wife did not want a card on Valentine’s Day, but when he spoke to her on the phone he discovered she was expecting one. Not having time to buy a card on his way home, Mark was in a quandary. Then he looked at the lawn-mower trade magazines scattered around the office — and got an idea. Using scissors and glue, he created a card with pictures of mowers, next to which he wrote: “I lawn for you mower and mower each day.” Mark’s wife loved it. The card immediately graced their refrigerator door. – Contributed by Gene Hyde

Irresistable Irony About a year had passed since my amicable divorce, and I decided it was time to start dating again. Unsure how to begin, I thought I’d scan the personals column of my local newspaper. I came across three men who seemed like they’d be promising candidates. A couple of days later, I was checking my answering machine and discovered a message from my ex-husband. “I was over visiting the kids yesterday,” he said. “While I was there I happened to notice you had circled some ads in the paper. Don’t bother calling the guy in the second column. I can tell you right now it won’t work out. That guy is me.” – Contributed by Pat Patel

Making the Grade My high-school English teacher was well known for being a fair, but hard, grader. One day I received a B minus on a theme paper. In hopes of bettering my grade and in the spirit of the valentine season, I sent her an extravagant heart-shaped box of chocolates with the pre-printed inscription: “BE MINE.” The following day, I received in return a valentine from the teacher. It read: “Thank you, but it’s still BE MINE-US.” – Contributed by Brad Wilcox

Read All About It Every Valentine’s Day our campus newspaper has a section for student messages. Last year my roommate surprised his girlfriend with roses and dinner at a fancy restaurant. When they returned from their date, she leafed through the paper to see if he had written a note to her. Near the bottom of one page she found: “Bonnie — What are you looking here for? Aren’t dinner and flowers enough? Love, Scott.” – Contributed by Richard B. Blackwell

Devoted and Determined During World War II my parents had planned a romantic Valentine’s Day wedding. Suddenly my father, then stationed at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts, received orders to prepare to ship out, and all leaves were canceled. Being a young man in love, he went AWOL. He and my mother were married four days earlier than originally planned and he returned to base to an angry sergeant. After hearing the explanation, the sergeant understandingly replied, “Okay, okay!” Then, as an afterthought: “But don’t let it happen again!” – Contributed by Sandra L. Caron

Offbeat Valentine’s Day Gifts

Candy, flowers, and jewelry will never go out of style, but if you’re looking for something fresh to give this year, here are 8 perfectly awesome Valentine’s Day presents for unconventional couples. I mean, I wouldn’t recommend proposing to anyone with any of these (although the Lego heart box might be a great place to put a ring), but for the rest of us, these clever gifts may be just the thing.

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1. For the health-conscious: Chocolate molecule t-shirt Chocolate is always an appropriate gift, especially when it’s in calorie-free t-shirt form. This is a great gift for the sweetie in your family who’s just had gastric bypass surgery and/or the proud science geek. Buy this shirt

2. For the non-sappy Valentine: Snarky mug For the person in your life who thinks nothing is sexier than laughter, here’s a mug that proclaims your unending love. No commitment issues here! Buy this mug

3. For the long-term relationship: Funny coaster You know what your hilarious coffee mug will look good on? A hilarious coaster. Sure, you may not be newlyweds anymore, but that doesn’t mean you’re not totally still into each other. Buy this coaster

4. For the eco-trendy: I love you bean plant Roses last what, a week? This kit lets you grow a whole plant that says “I love you.” Literally. The bean plant grows with the words “I love you” on it. I have no idea how that works, but there it is. Magic beans? Could be. Buy this bean plant

5. For the texter: Fingerless gloves These hand-knit lambswool/acrylic fingerless gloves are embroidered with the Interwebz symbol for a heart. They’re clever, hip, and leave your fingers free for texting, Angry Birds, and checking Facebook. In theory, you could also use your fingers for dialing your phone, but who does that anymore? Buy these gloves

6. For the math geek: Plotting for your love t-shirt Is there anything sexier than smarts? Math for the Valentine win! There’s an equation on front and implicit heart curve plot on the back of the shirt. Note: Don’t call it a parabola, or your math-loving Valentine will mock you mercilessly. Buy this shirt

7. For everyone: Plush, beating heart This looks like the result of a teddy bear autopsy, but in my mind nothing says, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” for all ages like a snuggly, yet anatomically correct, heart. Buy this plush beating heart

8. For the young (and young at heart): Lego heart necklace There is some really wack stuff on Etsy, but I can’t think of a more perfect Valentine present than this sweet and playful necklace. Buy this necklace

History of Valentine’s Day