An Awesome Day! 2 Big Steps in Getting Back to Normal

Well, it has been a pretty darn good day. Got up early this morning (Early for me 7:00ish) and got a good breakfast in me. Oatmeal, a banana, and orange juice for all those wondering, and headed to Ozaukee Ice Center. I had talked to my transplant doctor about getting on the ice and she said all was good as long as I stayed clear of all the locker room areas and the rink wasn't busy....from the picture, you may be able to tell how busy the rink was. So grateful to my friend Chris at OIC for helping me get back out there. I remember thinking in the hospital, after the doctors told me I may not be able to walk for as long as a year if ever due to the length of the paralysis, what does that mean for skating....will I ever get to skate again? No soccer? Jeez, for a while there, I was like...no stairs? Today, I was skating, mind you, I almost fell out of the players box, and nearly hit the ice a couple of other times after experimenting with some quick stops...but I maintained my balance and never fell. Thank you Homestead Blueline for keeping me warm, the jacket is incredible. My muscles and feet are sore, my hands were not the silky smooth dangle masters that they usually are, but I was skating, shooting, and passing the puck around. Felt a little more like my old self. After getting back from the rink, I cleaned up and watched Kung Fu Panda 2. Pretty decent if you haven't seen it. Kind of a tear jerker for a little while. I know, I am such a cry baby, take it easy Thane. After the movie, I waited for Molly to get home and then we went out to dinner! Granted, we did a hand off in the parking lot with Adeline going to Grammy and Tony going with Molly, but we made it to Devon Seafood Grill just before 4:00. I wore my mask into the restaurant, and until we got food, but then was able to enjoy a nice dinner for Molly's birthday. She had a great coupon. The server asked if I had food allergies and we explained the whole 'mask thing' to him. They were AWESOME...server let me know if any sauces had uncooked ingredients in them, I knew from all the hospital folk what foods I was not allowed to eat and the meal was awesome. Great for my first meal out since March 5th 2010, and Molly's birthday. Then when we were finished, the server let us know that they gave us the appetizer on the house because we chose them for my first meal back. What a nice gesture....very cool. I wasn't actually sad, like in the picture, but I am pretty sure that alcohol and 15 medications is a bad idea. In fact, I know it is...it was a celebration with water. And also, stop staring at my beautiful dome and keep reading. Did you just look back up at the baldness? I bet you did. Then we headed back to the 'hometel' for the remainder of the night. Adeline is looking fantastic in her pink Harry Potter glasses. She doesn't seem bothered by them too much, although it is certainly an adjustment. So, all in all, a pretty darn good day. I am going to try to keep up my exercise everyday. I have my next appointment on Friday, and I will meet with my transplant doc to see how my blood work is, and find out any new information.

Hope this finds everyone healthy and happy,
Tony