Recuperation journey: Buh-bye, Acyclovir

Today is the three-month anniversary of my transplant surgery. 
That means the first birthday party I'm planning to host for my new kidney will be in just nine months! 

Since I'm now three months out, today is the last day I have to take an anti-viral infection medication (Acyclovir). 

I was able to stop taking an anti-fungal pill after the first month, and after six months I'm looking forward to stopping an anti-bacterial infection medication, Bactrim. 

I am recording this journey for my own records, but also because I hope to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation. 
If you're a healthy adult, please consider becoming an organ donor. 
It really is the best gift you can give to another person.

Nature Nick brings Animal Adventures to Seymour Public Library

Nature Nick of Sound Beach, Long Island, N.Y. shows children a hedgehog during a presentation Wednesday at Seymour Public Library.

Here Nature Nick shows off a falcon that he said catches its prey in mid-air and can fly as fast as a race car.


Stay tuned for more photos of the presentation in an upcoming Valley Voice newsletter.

Sports Talks continue on Thursdays at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now in its 12th season of Sports Talks.  
These informal sessions are held every Thursday at 10 a.m. throughout the baseball season.  
They are facilitated by radio talk show host, author, and Major League Baseball Rules Consultant Rich Marazzi of Ansonia.  
Each session includes trivia contests, videos, lively conversation, and more.  
All ages, from rookies through veterans, are invited to join Rich and his group of Silver Sluggers.  
No registration is necessary. 

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 

This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

Getting tech school in Ansonia ready for the first day of classes

Wednesday morning's clear blue sky served as a perfect backdrop for a summer photo. When I was driving past Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in Ansonia I noticed workers getting the building ready for the upcoming school year, and had to stop and take a photo. Students will go back to classes at the Prindle Avenue school on Aug. 29.

Derby-Shelton Rotary Club planning 5th annual Hoptoberfest

Sharing info from a Facebook event page:

The Hoptoberfest festival is sponsored by the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club through The Derby-Shelton Rotary Foundation (a 501c(3) non-profit). All proceeds raised will go back to the Derby and Shelton communities based on the needs of the club's charitable partners. 

Over the past four years, the club has raised close to $60,000, allowing it to help fund valuable programs in the Valley.
They include a Sponsor A Kid Program at the Boys and Girls Club in Shelton, the Valley United Way food bank, the Parent Child Research Center in Derby, literacy programs in Derby and Shelton public schools, and other worthwhile projects.
Your help and participation in this event is critical to its success.

What: Participants can expect wings from different restaurants (including the Dew Drop Inn), over 80 craft beers with unlimited samples, and live music. 
Entry also will include a commemorative tasting cup.

Where: Hoptoberfest is held at the Rotary Pavilion at 101 Canal St., Shelton.

When: Sept. 9 from 1-5 p.m.

Online ticket price: $30/ticket (online ticketing closes at midnight Sept. 8.)

At the door ticket price (if available): $40/ticket (CASH ONLY at the door)

Special notes: Must be 21 or older to enter. Maximum ticket sales will be capped at 1,500 to ensure enough wings and beer for all. 

Ansonia mayor, officials to host forum on blight

Recuperation journey: More about naps and, ahem, aging

The napping elf got me today. 

I wrote about naps in this post last week. 
The word nap is short for Natural Aging Process, in my humble opinion. 

Naps are often necessary when a kidney transplant recipient like myself doesn't sleep well at night - thanks to the twice-daily cocktail of meds I must take. 
The medication must be the cause of my interrupted sleep. The melatonin suggestion didn't seem to help at all. 

But taking all the meds is a small price to pay to stay healthy and take care of my new kidney.

For the past two days I was proud of myself because I "powered" through the afternoon without taking a rejuvenating nap. 
But today I really needed one. So I caved in! 
The afternoon snooze gave me enough energy to face the rest of what I had to do today, such as make dinner and do a load of laundry.

Sleepless in the Valley: That could be a good title for this post. 
Guess I can use that one next time, if this annoying problem persists.