Dons in Dallas

Randy has been at Zale Lipshy, in rehab, for one week tomorrow.  The last time the Dons were in town (the “dons” are a group of elementary, high school, college friends who have known each other from childhood) Randy was on the transplant list, and we were all very optimistic, thinking that lungs would be coming any moment since he was first on the list.  If you’ve been following the blog, you know that things went a little sideways, with Randy going into respiratory failure suddenly and being put on ECMO, the last resort to keep him alive, to serve as a “bridge” to transplant.  These guys have been incredible, they have called me, texted me, and emailed me to send me love and encouragement through this long journey.  I have been blessed by having so many people who love and care about Randy, they have helped keep my spirits up as well.

So earlier this week, I received a call from Brian (the Memphis Don) telling me he thought he would come down and see how Randy’s doing.  The next thing I know, Brian, Murph (Atlanta Don), Pete Scott (aka Karl from Napa), Big Dave (who I find out is moving back to Dallas), and T-man and his girlfriend are coming in to check up on things.  Only Mike Hurst (San Diego Don) could not get here.  Lucky T-man, he and Amy have tickets to the Eagles Concert on Saturday night (friends were in the 4th row on Friday night, can you imagine??).  I so much wanted to see the Eagles…but hey, maybe next year.  The guys came in late Friday and early Saturday, and spent the day with Randy at Lipshy.  I can only imagine what the nurses and therapists made of that.

What a weekend to pick!  Between Texas – OU weekend (some college football game between the Longhorns and Sooners at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas), the State Fair, and the Eagles concert…not to mention construction on LBJ Freeway (one of the arteries of Dallas), the guys could barely find a hotel.  Of course they could have stayed here, but they decided that four guys who stay out and party and drink were too many for me to put up with.  They have a point…but they are always welcome.   So, Ally and I make dinner arrangements at Nick and Sam’s Grill (Nick and Sam’s is my favorite restaurant in Dallas, and the new Grill in Addison is incredible) for 8p.m.  The dons rolled in about 45 minutes to an hour late.  No problem, except Ally and I finished off the Mediterranean flatbread before they arrived.

We had a great dinner, toasting Randy, toasting the donor and the donor’s family, everyone overjoyed with Randy’s progress.  We pretty much closed the place down….and of course, the Dons continued the party elsewhere.  When they arrived at the hospital this morning with their coffee…they were not feeling too well.  They were groaning.  Randy’s dad enjoyed meeting up with the boys, and I left them around 1p today, feeling extremely tired myself.  With all the work going on at the house, some of it I am saving as a surprise for Randy, working with students, trying to handle taxes and family business and finishing up mom’s estate with my brother, I do get a bit tired.  But this was a terrific weekend, and it cheered, and humbled, Randy that these guys would fly in from all over for just one day.  Amazing!

Oh, and BIG NEWS!  Randy stood and with help, made it to 6 steps!!!  More on that to come, what an incredible moment for him…he hasn’t been on his feet since early August.   It’s all going well so far, and we are hoping that maybe in 2 weeks we will have him home!  I’d better get back to work!