Congratulations To Those Enjoying Renewed Life

June	Richard Menzel, Liver '93 Eugene McElhaney, Liver '97 Nick Dye, Liver '00 Tony Garcia, Liver '00 Sandra Villareal, Liver '00 Bill Fogg, Liver '01 Paula Feazell, Liver '02
July	Tom Rebosky, Heart '97 Daniel Ronco, Kidney '99 Dr. Richard Darling, Liver '01 Satya Duvvuri, Liver '02
August	Brenda Shonahan, Liver '85 Ralph Saukko, Heart '87 Charles Mora, Heart '93 Kaye Reshaw, Heart '97 Herman Tse, Kidney '00 Jeff Hedrick, Liver '04

If we missed your anniversary, please let us know.

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Recipe Corner: Asian Chicken Salad

• 6 cups coleslaw mix (16oz bag)
• 3 cups fresh spinach leaves (10oz bag)
• 3 cups cut-up cooked chicken (grilled)
• 1 medium bell pepper, cut bite sized strips
• 1 (8oz can) bamboo shoots and/or water chestnuts rinsed and drained

1. Make Peanut-Soy Dressing
2. Toss all ingredients in large bowl
3. Drizzle with Dressing

Makes 6 Servings

Peanut-Soy Dressing

• 3 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tbsp cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1/2 tsp grated ginger

1. Combine and beat until blended.

Nutritional information per serving: 210 calories; 7g fat (2g saturated fat); 60mg cholesterol; 360mg sodium; 14g carbohydrate; 3g dietary fiber; 23g protein

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Wiggle Your Toes, Save Your Life: Simple steps can protect travelers from harmful blood clots.

By Michele Meyer - AARP Bulletin

Passengers on long flights should do more than just buckle up and stow their carry-ons. Wiggle your toes, stretch your legs and do other in-flight exercises that can prevent dangerous blood clots.

Sitting for a long time without moving can slow blood flow and cause clots in the legs, a condition known as deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). Most clots are small and disappear on their own. But if they break away and travel to the lung, they can create pulmonary embolisms that stop the supply of oxygen to the heart.

This condition has become so associated with cramped airliner seats with little leg room, that it's called "economy-class syndrome." In fact, first-class passengers get DVT too - leading to speculation that low cabin pressure may be involved.

Flight related DVT is not limited to old legs and old veins. A 28-year-old woman from Wales died of a pulmonary embolism after a 15-hour flight from Australia to London.

The signs to watch for include persistent cramping, swelling, redness and pain in the legs, chest pain and shortness of breath. If DVT is suspected, prompt treatment is crucial. See a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

Cutting travel risks:

• Wear loose-fitting clothes.
• Ask your doctor about compression stockings to improve circulation.
• If you're in close quarters for three hours or more, stand up and take hourly walking breaks.
• While seated, stretch your legs, rotate your ankles and flex your feet to push blood toward the heart.
• Don't cross your legs at the knees or ankles.
• Drink plenty of fluids - but avoid caffeine or alcohol.

Have a great summer vacation,
enjoy your airline trip.

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Strong Medicine: What to do if you get sick while traveling

By Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harriman

We had just started lunch in Fremantle, Australia, when we heard a loud whack. Our six-foot-two friend Lloyd had gashed his head open on a low wooden overhead beam.

The pub owner volunteered to drive us to the nearest hospital. When we checked in, Lloyd presented his passport, but no one asked if he had health insurance. We wondered; "What if the hospital had demanded proof of insurance? We've since done our homework. These ounces of prevention can go a long way:

• Review your health plan Most insurance, including Medicare doesn't cover medical costs incurred outside the United States.
Buy trip insurance to cover what your regular insurance doesn't - often, emergency medical and medical evacuation coverage.
• Check with your doctor. If you're under a physician's care, bring a letter from them describing your condition.
• Pack your medications in carry-on luggage, and make sure they're in the original, labeled containers. Also pack copies of prescriptions, including your vision prescription, along with recommended dosages and the medications' generic names.
• Carry proof of health insurance with you. That day in Fremantle, Lloyd was lucky - in more ways than one. His wait was short, the doctor cordial. Australia's national health plan covered the bill.
• Keep things clean. Wash hands thoroughly and often, especially before eating. Travel with alcohol-based antiseptic wipes and alcohol-based gel to use when away from soap and water.
• Eat right. Stick to cooked foods and avoid raw fruits and vegetables.
• Be bug free. When traveling in the woods or rain forests, use an insect repellent that contains deet. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and eschew perfumes and fragrant body lotions, which can attract insects.

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Body Mass Index (BMI)

By Dr. Ofelia L. Narvasa

A normal BMI (body mass index) is 18.5 to 24.9; an overweight BMI is 25 to 29.9; an obese BMI is 30 to 39.9; and morbidly obese BMI is over 40.

More than half (61 percent) of the adult population is overweight. Approximately 20 percent of males and 25 percent of females are obese. There has been a 50 percent increase in obesity from 1991 to 1998.

The medical complications of obesity are type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, work disability, sleep apena and other respiratory problems.

Obesity is a chronic problem. It requires chronic treatment. Drug therapy may reduce food intake, or alter metabolism. But these drugs are for "short term" use only. Patients should be closely monitored for increased blood pressure and side effects. Behavioral therapy, diet and exercise requires chronic effort. Surgical approaches - gastric bypass, may be considered for patients with a BMI over 40.

Given the current obesity treatment options and efficacy, the best return might be achieved with greater prevention efforts. Portion control to prevent weight gain should be stressed.

In summary, obesity is a chronic problem of epidemic proportion in the United States. Drug therapy is quite limited. Long-term success with diet and exercise requires long-term motivation and constant physician persistence (nagging).

See chart to calculate your BMI:

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Laughter is the Best Medicine

Actual classified ads

• Illiterate? Write today for free help.
• Auto Repair Service. Free pick-up and delivery. Try us once; you'll never go anywhere again.
• Dog for sale: eats anything and is fond of children.
• 3-year old teacher needed for pre-school. Experience preferred.
• Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with round bottom for efficient beating.
• For sale: antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers.
• Used Cars: Why go elsewhere to be cheated. Come here first.
• Wanted: Man to take care of cow that does not smoke or drink.

I used to be indecisive,
but now I'm not sure!

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Transplant Recipient Races for Awareness

From OneLegacy, a transplant donor network website

Drag racer and lung transplant recipient Bill Widen has combined his gratitude for the gift of life with his passion for speed to raise organ donor awareness.

His personal and very special organ donor awareness project showcases a Donate Life blue-and-green funny car that Widen races on tracks and community fundraisers across the county to inspire motorsports fans nationwide to be organ and tissue donors.

There was a time when the Upland, California resident could not even tie his shoes without running out of breath because of emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. But in April 2003, Widen received a single lung transplant that changed his life.

Thanks to a loving, caring donor and the donor family, Widen was given a life-saving transplant at USC. He admits that although he was pretty nervous about the whole thing, once he got to the hospital the staff and nurses at USC made him feel like family.

"I came through the transplant successfully, and even though I had a few problems in the days ahead, I was able to come home in 11 days," said Widen. He was in and out of the hospital over the next few months. However, just like his doctors told him, "these things are fixable."

The Donate Life Across America project is Bill Widen's personal way to say "Thank You" for the "Gift of Life" that he received, and to honor his donor and donor family. "I'll be thinking of my donor every time I cross the finish line", he says.

We wish him much success on the track.

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Boy Gets New Heart

By Dan Goodin, Associated Press

A 6-year-old boy, Jason Zhao, received a new heart after relying on an artificial heart for nearly eight months, longer than anyone in North America.

During the 234-day ordeal Jason never gave up. The youngster was placed on the artificial heart, a mechanical pump known as the Berlin Heart, when his abnormally swollen heart suddenly stopped beating. The parents, Guanglin Zhao and wife Dongmei stayed with him around the clock at the hospital while he was on the pump. Dongmei, spent days with the boy and Guanglin spent nights after finishing work.

The couple frequently stayed at the nearby branch of the Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodations to families with children facing life-threatening diseases.

"We prayed every day, and also our church and people who don't even know us came to the hospital and prayed with us, " Guanglin Zhao said.

Now that he has a new heart, Jason is smiling again, eating, waving and saying "hi" to the doctors and nurses. Jason indeed received the "Miracle of Life" from modern medical science and from a very compassionate donor.

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Ohio Conducts Rare Domino Transplant

Associated Press

In a rare transplant procedure, a 4-month-old boy was given a new heart and set of lungs, from a very young anonymous deceased donor and his healthy heart was then donated to a 3-month-old girl.

Jason Wolfe was born with a rare lung disorder and placed on the transplant list.

Although his heart was healthy, doctors wanted to replace it because the double lung and matching heart transplant is much safer.

So Kayla Richardson, who was born with a rare heart condition, received Wolfe's heart in a nearby operating room. The procedure is called a domino transplant and has not been performed in the U.S. since 1996.

Both of the young organ transplant recipients are doing very well.

The donor parents were able to give a rare "Gift of Life" to two very young recipients who were saved by organ transplants, truly "A Miracle".

Thank you so very much to the donor family.

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Blood Pressure and Your New Organ

Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

A certain amount of pressure is needed to move blood through the body. But when this pressure gets too high, it can damage the heart, organs, and brain.

In healthy young people, the blood vessels stretch as the heart pumps blood through them, so their blood pressure doesn't get too high. Sometimes age or other factors cause the blood vessels to stiffen. Then the heart must work much harder to pump blood, and the pressure increases. This is called high blood pressure, or hypertension.

Blood pressure consists of two numbers, the top number (systolic) shows the pressure when the heart is beating; the bottom number (diastolic) is when the heart rests between beats.

Blood pressure is considered to be high when the reading is higher than 140/90.

High Blood Pressure and My Transplant

Sometimes, after organ transplant, medicines that help protect the new organ from rejection can also cause high blood pressure.

Post-transplant high blood pressure can be controlled. Your doctor will work with you to try to bring our blood pressure back into the normal range. This will help protect your new organ from the harmful effects of high blood pressure.

How Do I Talk to My Doctor?

As a transplant patient, it is important that you form a partnership with your doctor to stay healthy. Part of this partnership includes educating yourself about high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

You should feel comfortable asking your doctor questions about blood pressure, your medicines, and your overall health. The following questions can be a good starting point in speaking with your doctor: Is my blood pressure high? Are my anti-rejection medicines having any effect on my blood pressure? Are there any anti-rejection medicines that might have less of an impact on my blood pressure?

What Can I Do if I have High Blood Pressure?

Some of the first steps your doctor may recommend include:

• Exercising
• Stop smoking
• Lose weight
• Limiting salt and salty foods

If your blood pressure is still high, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to help lower it, or he/she may change your anti-rejection medicines.

Even if you think your anti-rejection medications are the cause of your high blood pressure, continue to take them as directed. Any changes in anti-rejection medicines must be made only by your doctor.

Should I Be Concerned About My Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is sometimes called the "silent killer." Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms. It can lead to heart disease and stroke in people who don't even know they have it.

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Inspirational Quotes

The men who try to do something and fail 
are infinitely better than 
those who do nothing and succeed. 

Lloyd Jones

Take the first step in faith, 
You don't have to see the whole staircase,
just take the first step

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Do You Remember When?

From Our Internet Friends

• When it took five minutes for the TV to warm up?
• When your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces?
• When all male teachers wore neckties and female teachers wore high heels?
• When you got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, all for free, every time?
• When laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box?
• When a '57 Chevy was everyone's dream car?
• Lying on your back in the grass with your friends and saying things like, "That cloud looks like a..."

Do you remember the summers filled with

• Bike rides?
• Baseball games?
• Hula Hoops?
• Bowling?
• Visits to the community swimming pool?
• Picnics in the park?
• Eating watermelon and seeing how far you could spit the seeds?

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A Smile for You

Smiling is infectious;
You catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
When he smiled I realized I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile then I realized it's worth,
A single smile, just like mine could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin, don't leave it undetected
Let's start an epidemic quick,
and get the world infected.

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United Organ Transplant Association
Inland Empire Transplant Support Group

Come and join us for free group meetings on the third Sunday of each month. All pre and post transplant patients of any organ and their families and friends are invited to attend. Participants gain increased knowledge from guest speakers, printed materials, video presentations and group discussions. Our group meetings provide a safe environment for patients and families to deal with the impact of organ transplant. Come share your needs and experiences.

Meeting Location

Chino Valley Medical Center
5451 Walnut Avenue, Chino, California

Meeting Schedule

4:00 to 5:30 pm
Sunday, June 18^th, July 16^th, August 20th
For directions, call (909) 923-7114 or visit the support group page.

Notice of Disclaimer - The United Organ Transplant Association, and the Inland Empire Transplant Support Group, their volunteer staff and sponsors do not engage in the practice of medicine and under no circumstances recommends a particular treatment for any illness, what-so-ever, and in all cases recommends that you consult with your physician and health care professionals before pursuing any course of treatment.

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You Can Make a Difference

A donation to help transplant patients, and their caregivers, will provide educational, emotional and financial support, cash grants, support group meetings, donor awareness programs and this newsletter. Your gift truly makes a difference to those who need these services.

Contributions are Tax Deductible

United Organ Transplant Association
a 501(c)3 Public Benefit, Non-Profit, Charitable Corporation
Federal ID#33-0693906

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