Recuperation journey: Transplant forum inspires

As a kidney recipient I was invited to the sixth annual Join the Journey event Saturday at Messiah Baptist Church in Bridgeport. I'm so glad I was able to attend. 
I heard some amazing stories of strength and resilience recounted by other kidney transplant recipients, and a liver transplant recipient who now needs a kidney.
I'm pictured here with Joyce Albert, senior clinical transplant coordinator at Yale-New Haven Hospital, left, and Devon Greenwood, center, who donated a kidney to someone she didn't know. 
Her husband, William, was working and unable to attend. He needed a transplant last year and received one from my sister-in-law, Suzanne Watson, who stepped forward and was tested to be a donor when she learned I needed a kidney. 
Devon Greenwood said her husband is doing fine, as is she. I'm happy to report that Suzanne, my husband's sister, is also feeling fine.

Before going to the program I wrote this post about not being able to take anything from the breakfast buffet. 
I had no problem getting food straight from the kitchen. All of the church women working there were so friendly and accommodating to visitors!


Cassetti throws 1st pitch at varsity game between Ansonia High, O'Brien

Photo from Facebook
ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti threw out the first pitch Saturday at the first-ever Ansonia High School v. Emmett O’Brien Technical High School boys' varsity baseball game. 
Onlookers said it was a perfect strike.

*This information and photo are shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Recuperation journey: Keeping a sense of humor

We're going to a program today for kidney donors and their recipients and we're pretty sure there will be a buffet.

But as a kidney recipient I need to steer clear of buffets and salad bars, since I take immunosuppressant medications.

Daughter Allegra said, "Wait, a buffet? You'll have to go first."

It suddenly dawned on both of us. "Everybody will have to go first," I replied with a giggle. "We're all in the same boat."

All of the recipients, that is.

We cracked up at the irony of it all.
Gotta laugh, right?