Mercy! What a ride. So much has happened this year. Roller Coaster ride.

First of all. I thank God for everyday I have. My wife and I got to go to Hawaii this year for our vacation in March. It was wonderful. My wife's sister and brother-in-law got to go with us. We stayed a couple of blocks from Waikiki Beach in Honolulu.

We got to see the "Emerald Eye" sunset from the beach. It is quite amazing and beautiful. Work has kept me very busy this last year and I still get to do my work from home. We have become much more active in our church and we both enjoy that very much. I have done some volunteer work with Southwest Transplant Alliance in organ donor awareness projects. I have also volunteered to speak to our church teen classes on the danger of smoking. Am also making preparations for the 2006 Transplant Games to be held in Louisville, Kentucky.

I did have a small set back with my health when we returned from Hawaii. I came down with RSV pneumonia and spent two weeks in the hospital. This is the first time I had been sick since my transplant in 2001. With the pneumonia, I also got Para influenza and an MAI (a form of TB) infection while I was in the hospital. This did set my lung function back to 20% of normal.

Now my transplant team is considering another transplant where they will replace my right lung. I got the left lung with my first transplant. I do have some work to do before they will transplant me. Have to loose quite a bit of weight but that is not beyond my capability to accomplish.

I am presently on supplemental oxygen till the MAI infection clears up. I will take till March of 2006 to be completely cleared up then I can begin to get back into physical shape for the next transplant. I still am waiting to get to meet my donor family. Since our last communication, I have not heard from Phillip's mom. I pray I do soon. This is something I look very much forward to. I have a new grandson supposed to arrive in January 2006. This will give me 3 granddaughters and 3 grandsons. WOW! Life is good.

I only pray God let me remain on this world for a time longer so I can enjoy the blessings He has given me.

My Dad turned 85 and my Mom turned 80 this year. It is great to still have my parents close enough to see at least once a month and sometimes twice.

My wife is doing a scrapbook on our family starting somewhere around 1945. It is really looking very nice. The family will enjoy this lot.

Well, as I said, this year has been very interesting. I feel truly blessed to still be here and am looking with great anticipation to the future and hopefully another transplant.

God Bless and always remember to
"Keep On Keepin' On"
Tony in Dallas