cozumel Archives | TRAVELS WITH TAM

A Hospital Bed in place of a trip to Cozumel

January 19, 2015 By Tam Warner 17 Comments

In Transplant World, one shouldn’t count one’s chickens. My post about Randy going to Cozumel for the first time since his lung transplant tempted Fate, and instead of swimming in warm waters, he is back at UT Southwestern.

Since the transplant he has had the odd fever here and there, but it always just lasted a day or less, and then went away. The week before our Cozumel trip Randy started running a fever every morning and every night, feeling fine in the middle of the day. We were in a quandry. We went to UT Southwestern and they ran tests, everything coming back A-OK, but the fever persisted. I went to Cozumel a day late with friends, and Randy had been put on antibiotics. We expected he would join us in a couple of days, but even with the medicine he kept feeling lousy. Finally, last Friday, Randy’s transplant team put him in the hospital to run tests. They found a blood clot in his leg….a large one.

The ripple of fear that went through me when I heard those words was ghastly. There have been several instances of blood clots in the people around me, and only one had a happy ending. I made arrangements to get home from Cozumel. I flew in on Sunday, with a cold. The doctors don’t want me near Randy, because they found something else to worry about.

We knew when Randy was transplanted that the donor lungs had a virus called CMV, a common virus that 85% of Americans have had. Randy had NOT had it. He was placed on an antiviral medication to insure that the virus would not spread to the rest of his body. About three weeks ago Randy’s kidney blood tests showed stress…the kidneys were not happy. All of these meds have to be filtered, or processed, through the liver and the kidneys. As a result, they drastically lowered his antiviral medicine, and his antibiotic. This sudden reduction in medicine let the CMV virus infect Randy.

So Randy is fighting off a virus, and while running fevers and feeling ill he developed a blood clot from inactivity. I cannot go and sit with him in his hospital room because I have a cold and congestion, and Randy is extremely vulnerable to any infection right now. We are both frustrated that we cannot be together, but at least I am close by, and we talk and text all the time. Today, we both need rest.

There are bound to be blips on the screen as his recovery continues…and I continue to be positive about his recovery. He will get through this, and then he will need to build up his strength. Another challenge he will get through.

Thank you for your prayers and positive energies.

More of Cozumel Diving

January 18, 2015 By Tam Warner 1 Comment

Diving in Cozumel is always a great experience. It certainly helps to have a great dive master and dive company. There are so many in Cozumel I could never name even half of them. I do have favorites though.

I love diving with We-B-Divin-Cozumel. We started diving with them back in 2000, when Tony and Suzanne Castillo owned the boat. It is now owned by We-B-Divin’, but the dive masters have stayed with the boat. The boat is the Yucab III, and their service is top notch. Upon arrival, you are greeted with water, fruit, and pastries. The crew puts your dive gear together for you. After the first dive a delicious lunch is served. The boat is large, roomy and comfortable. When you are looking for more than a dive boat, call We-B-Divin’!

Another company I like is Albatros Charters. They have 3 boats, 2 smaller, fast boats, and a larger boat used for both diving and fishing charters. Their dive masters and crew members are solicitous and friendly. They also put your gear together for you, and serve muffins and fruit between dives. I have enjoyed diving with them during the last week.

As I said, there are many dive operations in Cozumel, but We-B-Divin’ Cozumel and Albatros are my favorites. Why not give them a try! Be sure and tell them that Tam sent you!

Fab Photos Friday: Amazing Cozumel Diving

January 15, 2015 By Tam Warner 14 Comments

Cozumel diving is always fabulous, but it has been exceptional this past week! Let me share the incredible experience with you!

Blue eyed beauty...Green Moray eel! — Blue eyed beauty…Green Moray eel!

Splendid Toadfish is only found in Cozumel waters.

Hanging out in my back yard, snorkeling.

Beautiful lobsters and corals and sponges

I had the most amazing encounter with an Eagle Ray! Usually they want nothing to do with divers, but since there were two of us only, she kept circling around and allowed me to get just a foot from her! Lucky I had a wide angle lens on my housing!

2015 cz col shallows eagle ray close up best — Gorgeous and friendly Eagle Ray!

Incredibly enough, this exciting encounter was followed by another close encounter…with a Southern Stingray!

2015 cz southern ray front closeup — Beautiful Southern Ray let me come up close and personal!

2015 cz south ray5 — This is how they find food, by stirring everything up

A deadly beauty...the Lionfish has no predators but humans in the Caribbean and Atlantic. — A deadly beauty…the Lionfish has no predators but humans in the Caribbean and Atlantic.

Dive or Snorkel? There is no place like Cozumel.

The unexpected is the norm in Transplant World

January 10, 2015 By Tam Warner 5 Comments

Walking into the new Clements UT Southwestern University Hospital today felt like going back in time. Back in time to a nicer, state of the art hospital. I’d rather not be here, though.

Ut Southwestern's new Clements University Hospital — Ut Southwestern’s new Clements University Hospital

Randy is here because he has been running fever every morning this week. He has a fever, he chills, he takes tylenol, he’s fine but lethargic. We were supposed to leave for Cozumel on Saturday…we know that is not happening. At least not now.

They are running a series of tests on him: CT scan of his lungs, and a Bronchoscopy, which is an outpatient surgery. They will take a few samples of his lung tissue. I’m waiting.

I’m remembering the weeks and months I waited at the old hospital, knowing that life will henceforth throw us unexpected events. UT Southwestern is the place to be, though, if you need a transplant, especially a lung transplant. The doctors and nurses on the transplant team are truly exceptional. I heard about another amazing advance in transplant surgery from the doc who is performing the bronchoscopy. He came to UT from the Cleveland Clinic, also a top rated heart and lung transplant institution. Whether you are pre transplant or post transplant, UT Southwestern excels in their treatment of patients. The new technology will create “breathing lungs” for transplantation. 80% of harvested lungs are unusable due to many different factors, inflammation, injury, poor condition. There is a new device in which the lungs alone can be placed, and a determination as to whether or not they can be used is made after the lungs have had time to recover and other therapies have been used. This will double or triple the lungs available for transplant! UT Southwestern will receive this device very soon. UCLA has already used it, check this out! This is very exciting news! Here’s a video from the U of MN explaining the process.

Randy has had a remarkable recovery. September 10, 2013 was the date of his transplant, but he had been in the hospital, in critical condition for almost 6 weeks by then. He spent almost two weeks on ECMO, a life support system which kept him alive until lungs were found. When he woke up with lungs, he could barely lift a finger because every muscle in his body had atrophied. Amazing how fast that can happen. He remained in the hospital until the end of October, and even when he came home he was unable to walk. 16 months later he is working out every day again, and taking daily walks. We’ve taken a few trips together during 2014, and he has just continued to go up, up, up. He was able to attend his 40th high school reunion in October!

Not every moment has been easy or pleasant though. Not by a long shot. As anyone knows who has had a long recovery from a surgery, it is a tough road back. Medication side effects, an acute rejection episode, and now this…whatever this is. Overall, everything has gone well.

I just heard the good news that his bronchoscopy looks clear, they are prescribing antibiotics, and we just have to wait a few days for him to feel better. I’m headed to Cozumel with our friends Greg and Lauri tomorrow, carrying televisions Randy is out buying right now. Yes, he is feeling better with the antibiotics. We are hoping he can join us in a few days. I guess I’ll pack now.

Randy’s first trip to Cozumel since his transplant!

January 6, 2015 By Tam Warner 14 Comments

Randy and I getting ready to swim with the whale sharks! See it just behind me?

Yes, Randy has been given the OK to travel to Cozumel and to scuba dive! We have planned a two week trip to Cozumel, one week with friends, and one week just the two of us. I have been so excited….but now, I’m feeling a bit nervous. I suppose it is natural to feel this way…with everything we’ve been through, every trip seems risky. However, this is Mexico, and there are many who have advised Randy not to go (family members). The transplant team has given their blessing, and the transplant coordinator even suggested she come along to make sure Randy is well. Of course, she was joking.

Mexico has its risks, but we’ve been going to Cozumel for almost 30 years. Our house has filtered water, air conditioning, and is not in town, but on the water. People still picture Mexico as third world, and in most places it is. Cozumel’s amenities have improved so dramatically that it is nearly as comfortable as our house here. Nearly.

I’ve gone out and bought him a brand new regulator, new booties, new snorkel and new mask. I just think it best if he has new, clean items. I have citronella and sunscreen (biodegradable of course). January is the dry season, but mosquitoes might still be around, so he should be wearing insect repellent. As you can probably tell, I’m a little nervous.

Being a bit nervous should help keep him well, though. I’ll certainly be vigilant about the food we buy and eat. We know well the restaurants that are absolutely no problem. Actually, Cozumel is not known for tourista these days, it has become more and more careful about food, water and service due to its dependence on tourism.

Dinner out with the "kids" — Dinner out with the “kids”

So, we will be off to Cozumel in 5 days, and Randy is very much looking forward to it. Our home there has played a very large role in our lives, and in the lives of our children and their friends. Since he’s been ill I’ve had the house painted and leaks repaired, and new furniture put into place. I am hoping very much he likes all the changes, but most of all I hope for a quiet, lovely, healing time for him, and for us.

5 days!

Oh, and we also lease/rent our home! Check it out at www.vrbo.com/368692!

We'll soon be there! — We’ll soon be there!

The Best of 2014

January 1, 2015 By Tam Warner 6 Comments

The last few years have been, for me, at least, a perfect storm. Circumstances have conspired to create the most challenging years of my life. So much so, that there have been times I have almost had to laugh at the continuing onslaught. Although 2014 has been a year of challenge, there have been moments of joy and signs of better times coming. What we learn during the bad times is that there can be no light without the dark, no true happiness without deepest sorrow. As trite as that sounds, it is the truth. I have high hopes for 2015, and plan to do my best in continuing cultivation of a positive, and optimistic, outlook. For now, I wish to share with you the best moments of 2014, it has certainly been one hell of a year!

Randy’s remarkable recovery from a double lung transplant in September 2013 continues! The story is HERE.

In January 2014, friends from around the country came to celebrate Randy's recovery. — In January 2014, friends of Randy’s from around the country came to celebrate Randy’s incredible continuing recovery from a double lung transplant, September 2013.

My cousin Kathy and I took a quick trip to the Exumas to swim with feral swimming pigs!

I took a dive trip to Thailand, and was joined by my daughter! It was an incredible trip for us both.

Engagement! My son, Wes, and his fiance, Carisa, with their animal family!

Randy’s first trip out of Dallas since his transplant, we headed to the Texas Hill Country.

In June of 2014 Randy and I took a glorious drive on the Pacific Coast Highway, all the way north to Shelter Cove, CA. Then we met up with friends in Tahoe. This trip really pushed Randy to a whole new level in his recovery. Since then, he has gone up, up, up.

Incredible view from the hills of Santa Barbara

spending a day with my niece and her children in Santa Barbara

Big Sur's elephant seals! — Big Sur’s elephant seals!

and Lake Tahoe with friends we hadn’t seen in 15 years!

t 14 jill don tam ran — Enjoying good friends.

t 14 emerald bay — Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, has to be one of the most beautiful spots on the face of the planet.

I had a chance to go to Cozumel in August, and met up with an old friend I volunteered with in Mozambique, Leslie. Of course, she’s young enough to be my daughter, and many people thought shewas! A couple of my yoga buddies came along as well!

In August, my daughter, Alexandra, became engaged to be married! She and her fiance, Mike, plan on an October 2015 wedding.

Then, in September, I went on a volunteer science expedition with Marine Megafauna Foundation. Off the coast of Ecuador 3 currents converge at a small island called Isla de la Plata, and with those currents come Giant Manta Rays and other pelagic sea life. I volunteered to dive and photograph the animals. It was a very physically demanding trip, but I loved every minute.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — The wonder of these graceful, beautiful animals is beyond words.

Meeting up with Marine Megafauna and volunteers, some of whom I’d been with in Africa.

Then, a one year “Re-Birthday” celebration for Randy….one year post double lung transplant. An important milestone, and just the first of many I know he will reach!

Next, a wedding and Randy’s 40th High School Reunion. What an incredible night it was, we were all so thankful that he was able to be there.

I visited my family and friends in Ohio in October, which was wonderful, and I even went on a hayride with my sistah Holly’s granddaughter, Becca. Then, off to Kentucky for my cousin Brittane’s wedding!