I Met R2-D2

Alex talked me into going to this thing called Midnight Madness at Toys R Us the other night. He was unable to come with me and no one else was available. I was there by myself  to get him some of the new Lego Star Wars toys they released that night.

Well the highlight was meeting R2-D2. It was a robot version and all the kids flocked to get close to it. I ran over and took a shot so I could prove to Alex that he actually was there.

I am not a huge Star Wars fan like Alex and Amy but it was cool to see R2-D2. 

There were more adults than kids in line to get the toys. I met many fans and it was an interesting experience. 

The next day Alex saw the same toys I stood in line for at Target. I really did not need to say up until 1 am and wait in line for three hours. But, three hours is worth it when it is for the one you love. He was impressed. 

posted by Andrea

posted by Andrea

Foot Surgery and a New Ride

Mike went in to the doctors and had a planters wart removed from his foot. They told him that with the anti rejection drugs the wart would grow very large and become uncomfortable.  When he went in today the doctor was very impressed at how brave he was and how the pain did not seem to bother Mike. Mike said that after having a transplant nothing seems as painful anymore. 

Mikes reaction to the E coli is much better. He has a few more days of antibiotics and he is done. His cough is better and he is out more with a higher level of energy the last two days. 

I wanted to do something special for him so I talked with him about getting a new (used car). Something really nice that he could be proud to drive to school and around town. I admit Alex and I trash cars and we like to eat in the car an bring all our stuff around with us.   This car is just for Mike and will stay clean and beautiful just how he likes it. 

We found a nice one through Carmax and they were great to deal with. The sales man Naveen in Costa Mesa treated us like gold and it was so easy to get it. Mike drove it home and was so happy. I love it when he smiles. It has been a long time and so it was a great thing to see. 

He can't drive it with the top down in the day because he can't have the sun on his skin. But during the morning and in the evening he can have some topless fun.

The new Mike is his new car! Life is good!

posted by Andrea

Amazing Article Today OC Weekly

Amy Caterina Goes Green at Santa Ana's Grand Central Art Center
BY GREG STACY
Thursday, July 24, 2008 - 3:03 pm
Really Going Green
Amy Caterina’s door into summer
Photos by Eric Stoner

What happens when you feed the animals Miracle-Gro
You don’t go looking for profundity in the lyrics of U2, but one of Bono’s lines from Achtung Baby does have the bitter sting of truth to it: “Every artist is a cannibal/Every poet is a thief/All kill for inspiration and sing about their grief.” Paul Gauguin split on his wife and five kids. Late in life, Edgar Degas drove his friends away with his anti-Semitic rants. Maybe nobody ever called Pablo Picasso an asshole, but they sure as heck could have. Yes, there are plenty of nice grandmas out there filling canvases with pictures of wee puppies posed in baskets full of fresh-cut flowers. But the artists who do the really interesting stuff tend to be moody divas at best, total jerks at worst.

Amy Caterina is a really interesting artist. She is also, somehow, a sweetheart. I can call her a sweetheart with some confidence, despite having never met the woman. She’s become a darling in the local art community after donating a freaking kidney to a gallery-owner pal. This wasn’t her kid or her dad or even her husband, just a friend. Would you do that? No, you would not. Because you are not as nice as Amy.

Her website is full of photos of her smiling friends helping to craft the pieces for her shows, and these photos illustrate two things: 1) Amy has many more friends than you do because she is nicer than you are, and 2) Amy is so nice that she would never even think of trying to hog all the credit for her shows—she wants everybody who helped to get a little shout-out.

Amy does not kill for inspiration and sing about her grief. She throws little art parties for her pals and hands out her kidneys like it’s no big deal. I couldn’t give this woman a bad review even if her art was total shit. Who could say a word against her?

Fortunately, her art is totally not shit. This is beautiful, transporting art—good stuff from a good person.

“This used to be real estate, now it’s only fields and trees” is Caterina’s debut solo show at the Grand Central Art Center. The title comes from “Nothing But Flowers,” a Talking Heads song that begins with Edenic imagery—two lovers enjoying the lush countryside, only to slowly change into a post-apocalyptic tale as all of our mysteriously abandoned Pizza Huts and malls are swallowed up by vines and daisies. Caterina has brought David Brynes’ vision of a verdant Armageddon to Grand Central’s Project Room, using photos, video, sculpture, and yards and yards of “Fun Fur” from the craft store.

As you enter the space, it is dark like nighttime, but there are patches of cheery sun on the ground, and a totally incongruous square of bright, noonday sky is aglow overhead, like a door into summer. You wander among rolling, unmowed hills, where cute, cartoonish animals appear to have been frozen mid-frolic, as the grass crawled up their little legs and encased them before they could get away. It’s creepy yet beautiful and kid-friendly—part Disneyland topiary garden, part eerie dreamscape.

The narrator of “Nothing But Flowers” feels stranded in a world without Dairy Queens (“I dream of cherry pies, candy bars and chocolate-chip cookies!”), and there is something undeniably forlorn about this installation. As much as we may fuss over our gardens, plants are not our friends. They were here long before we were, and after we’re gone, they’ll be happy to grow over everything we were and encase it all in layers of tangled vines, dotting the Sydney Opera House with a million little mushrooms and disfiguring the face of the Lincoln Memorial with a beard of toxic mold. We can scorch the Earth all we like, but in the end, the fields and trees will do what they want with our real estate.

In August, Caterina will be hosting a free workshop, and visitors will knit projects to donate to a local dialysis center. (Jesus, this woman fits way too much niceness into a day. When does she sleep?) Go enjoy her show, help her knit stuff for a good cause. There’s plenty yet to see and do before the inevitable day when the grass grows up out of the ground and encases you mid-frolic.

Amy Caterina’s “This used to be real estate, now it’s only fields and trees” at the Grand Central Art Center, 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, (714) 567-7233; www.grandcentralartcenter.com. Call for hours. Through Aug. 24.

Thanks Greg!

posted by Andrea

First day back in the drivers seat!

Mike drove himself to the doctors and than disappeared for about three hours today. Come to find out he went shopping for stuff at Target. He is feeling better. I worry about him but he is getting back to his old self again. He is weak still and tired but feeling stronger each day. He said his hands are not shaking as much which is a good sign.

Alex and I worked around the house and went to lunch. We also went to see Hell Boy at the theatre. It was really fun and we both enjoyed ourselves. It was fun to chill out for a bit. The theatre was pretty empty on a Sunday. I wish Mike could have come but he was tired. We can only take him to movies when it is less crowded. Monday night is a good time. 

Tomorrow I work and getting apartments ready for new tenants. I also plan to work in the studio and paint for awhile. I am still trying to get it fixed up. I have only done a couple paintings in the last six weeks and hope to get back to working on things real soon. I am still tired myself from all this and find that I have very little energy. But that has not stopped me form working on fixing up the house and making books and doing exhibitions stuff. I just keep going! If I stop the monster will devour me.

I think in a few weeks I will take Alex up North to see friends and my parents. This is really our only time before school starts back again. Reading class starts tomorrow for Alex and we are looking forward to it. 

Mike gave Alex his old iphone and now they are laying in bed playing Poker against each other. Alex is winning a great deal and I can't figure out if he is really that good, lucky or if Mike is letting him win. All I know is they are having fun and Alex really needs time with Mike. They missed each other a ton!

posted by Andrea

Boy up a tree

Fitting in a little summer fun in Laguna. After seeing the dentist we headed to the beach and walked around and looked in the stores. Alex climbed this tree even with the Laguna Beach Police standing just over my shoulder. What a rebel.

Thanks to all who participated in our knitting event!

Creatnine 1.54 and many thanks

Mike had his stint removed and the procedure went very well. He did labs today and they came in low at 1.54 which is an amazing number to have. He is feeling better but still tired. We are taking good care of him. He is excited because he gets to drive again starting Monday. Freedom!

Amy had her knitting event today at GCAC and it was real nice. About six people came out to knit and crochet. We are planning to make sections for blankets and donate them to Children's Hospital. We are going to donate them to Renee, who has been a major part of this project!  She will pass the blankets along to Disney's Crafty Critter Program.  They work with CHOC hospital and make matching donations.

I am taking Mike to dinner now and will be posting more images and stories soon. To all I thank you for all your help and support. To Kathleen Costello you are amazing and generous and we love you! Thank you!!!

-posted by Amy and Andrea

HOME!

Mike got home today at 1:00. He is tired but so so happy to be out of the hospital. The doctors have him on oral antibiotics now... some real strong stuff to clear him up. They say if this does not work he may have to go back into the hospital, but they are hoping he responds well.  He will be laying low and resting over the next week or so. I am just so happy he is here.

Friday he will have outpatient surgery to have a stint in the kidney removed. He will also go on to have more labs taken to see how he is progressing. 

When he was in the hospital he heard that two other patients were in for complications not associated to their kidney transplants. With immune suppression lots can happen if you are not on top of it. Lucky we have the best doctors and Mike is well cared for. Thanks t all the nurses for caring for him this past five days. You are all wonderful.

Tomorrow Alex and I will do work, continue to clean up around here and make it better for Mike and try and fit in a little summer fun. Shorty (aka Alex) has been at doctors and hospitals and so on and this has not been the best summer so far for him. He has seen good friends but he needs some fun time with me so we will have an adventure. 

I hope we have less excitement in our lives for awhile. I need to rest as well. 

posted by Andrea

Just got back from the hospital

I just got in from visiting Mike. He is looking better and they say he may get out late tomorrow. They think the E coli might have been laying dormant in his old kidneys or in his prostate. I guess these things can happen. 

He and I sat tonight and watched these shows about home improvement. I told him I was coming straight home to redo the entire house and it would all be done by the time he got home. Just like on TV. Well, I am actually sitting here drinking water and thinking about going to sleep. Oh well, best intentions count for something.

Amy is home from teaching and we had a conference call with Mike, Robin, Lloyd, Amy and I. It was fun to talk to everyone. Amy is doing great and getting ready for saturday to do her workshop at GCAC. Please come and join us for some afternoon fun with her if you can. I will be picking up lunch and it should be a fun day. 

Well, good night all and thanks for all your support. Thanks Mitchell and Elva for visiting Mike today. It really made him happy to see you both. 

 

Amy installation listed number 1 as best art event in OC July 4-11.

Visual art
1. 'This used to be real estate, now it's only fields and trees' - Amy Caterina presents a multimedia installation including a simulated landscape via video, photography and knitted objects. The exhibit also explores Caterina's Pseudo-Sod series, where she transforms yarn into a knit replication of grass that covers the floor and several sculpted animals. Opening reception is 7-10 p.m. Saturday. The exhibit runs until Aug. 24. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays and until 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Free. Grand Central Art Center, Santa Ana.
2. Paul Brigham and Logan Wood- Brigham's paintings, above, reflect his Eastern influence as he paints bird, bees, bears and flowers against abstracted backgrounds. His silk-screened images, mark-making and color-fields create a constant change that is found in nature, as well as the physical and spiritual dimensions of landscape. Wood's sculptures seek new adventures as a way to revive everyday life. Her clay, wood and metal sculptures capture the traveler both mentally and physically. Exhibit runs until July 30. Gallery is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Sue Greenwood Fine Art, Laguna Beach.
3. 'Red Strat' - Fullerton Museum Center will unveil a mural/mosaic in honor of Leo Fender. 6 p.m. Thursday, on the southwest corner of Harbor Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue, in the alley behind 107 S. Harbor, Fullerton.
4. 'The Marvel and Measure of Peru: Three Centuries of Visual Histories, 1560–1880' - Exhibit features Martín de Murúa's "Historia general del Piru" (plus a related manuscript chronicle by Murúa) textiles, books, watercolors by Lima caricaturist Pancho Fierro, maps and photographs. Tuesday-Oct. 19. Center hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays and Sundays and until 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Free admission (parking is $8).J. Paul Getty Museum, Getty Center, Los Angeles.
5. Will Koffman Opening - The featured artist of July, Koffman's bleach drawings and paintings will be on display. N.S.U., Neon Maniacs and Bad Parents will also be part of the night. Opening reception 6-10 p.m. July 11. Free. eVocal, Costa Mesa.
Contact the writer: mralston@ocregister.com

Pictures from a months before the surgery

Mike is actually smiling under this mask

Amy paying a visit yesterday and playing with the new upgraded software on the iphone.

Escherichia coli in the blood

They diagnosed Mike today as having E coli. They are not sure how he got it but they are working to clear it up with a new strong antibiotic. He also has a dry cough that they think may be an additional virus and they are checking it out to see what they can find.

His x rays on his chest and sonogram for his kidney looked real good today. I brought him Greek food for lunch today so he got out of eating hospital food which he hates. He is hungry again and eating better now. 

The doctors say he is responding well to treatment and he may be able to come home and another day or two depending on if they can get everything under control. he will be on oral antibiotics when he gets home and I am sure asked to rest and lay low for awhile.

This image is off the internet of E coli rods. Nasty little bacteria. Alex and I are doing well. I spent part of the day redoing the bedroom to get ready for Mike's return home. I can't wait to have him back home!

posted by Andrea

Update on Mike

Today the infectious disease doctor came in and informed us that Mike will be staying in the hospital until they can fully determine what he has in his blood. They should have results of more blood cultures by tomorrow. Mike had a high fever again last night and did not sleep much so he is pretty beat. The doctors said they could not believe he walk into the hospital like he did when he was admitted. Usually people this sick cannot walk and are very lethargic. But, Mike is very strong and so he is holding tuff with all this. 

They said he is responding well to the IV antibiotics and if all goes well tomorrow with his diagnosis they may let him come home soon.

Alex and I miss him. We shopped and are cleaning the house to get ready for him to return home. The dogs are desperate for their Dad! It is hard to be home knowing he is back in the hospital but we are OK and visiting him often.

Amy came over to see him at the hospital and made him laugh and it really cheered him up. We are all resting and waiting to see what tomorrow brings.

posted by Andrea

Portrait of Mike from today

It looks like he is sad but actually he was playing Poker on his iphone. And for part of the time he was winning!

I know he looks older here than he really is but I have not drawn for a few weeks and am out of practice. He is really very handsome in that hospital gown.

We have not sat still long enough for me to draw in weeks. But I had fun passing the time just sketching him.

Alex and I came home and will head to sleep. The infectious disease doctor will see him tomorrow. So far all we know is that his fever was 100.1 as of this evening, he is tired and that his body needs some help fighting an infection in his blood. We will learn more tomorrow.

posted by Andrea

Mike was admitted to the hospital today

Mike is back in the hospital and back in the same room we had before. He is not taking visitors at this time as he is resting and they don't want any new germs introduced to him at this time. 

He has a rod shaped bacteria in his blood that is aggressive so they are treating him with IV antibiotics and trying to figure out exactly what kind of bacteria he has. It takes time to test him and diagnose him properly. Once they figure out what he has they can better pinpoint how to proceed and treat him. He will be in anywhere from one to three days one doctor told us. But we are not sure about any of this yet.

I will be at the hospital with him and update the blog as I find out more information.

Mike was so sad to go back in but they are treating him really well and we hope he will be out soon. 

Because he is on immune suppression drugs it is important that they treat him in the hospital. His new kidney is holding up real well and has not shown signs of negative effect. 

Wish him well. Thanks and I will send more info soon. 

posted by Andrea 

Just go in from the emergency room.

Mike had been feeling bad all day. His temperature went up to 99.5 and so the nurse on call,(Paula) who has been so helpful to us, helped to screen his symptoms with Dr. Ruzics and put him on some Tylenol to help with his fever. They recommended bed rest all day, so Mike slept and rested. By about 7:00 pm his temperature had gone up to 100.5 and so we called the transplant center again. They asked us to go to the emergency room. We were there from 7:45 until 12:00 am.  The did a chest x-ray, blood work and other tests. They think he is fighting an infection of some kind so they gave him antibiotics by IV and we will put him on more oral antibiotics starting tomorrow.   It could be his old kidneys have an infection or maybe bladder or someplace else. The antibiotics they gave him will work all over the body so this will be the best bet to clear things up.

Everyone is the emergency room was amazingly helpful. Thanks to Julia and Josey our nurses and to the doctors. I am defiantly writing a letter to the hospital. They have been so good to us through all this and it means so much.

One of the reasons they let Mike go home tonight was that is Creatnine went to 1.65 tonight. Amy's kidney (Mrs. Kevin Hill Kidney) is just amazing and really performing for Mike. They said if his numbers were high or get high or if his symptoms get worse he will be hospitalized and they will fight the infection in the hospital. We will call the doctor Monday to see what we do from here.

So, glad we are home now. Alex is whipped and so are we. Time for bed and rest and hopefully Mike will have a good night and feel better tomorrow.

When Mike got the transplant the doctor said, this was only the beginning, and he was serious. This is going to be an ongoing challenge to get Mike well again. We are up for the challenge and will fight every step of the way. 

Thanks for that amazing kidney Amy! We have the best chance in the world because of that amazing kidney! Love ya.

posted by Andrea

Real Orange TV aired tonight

Real Orange, the only nightly broadcast television program for and about Orange County airs on KOCE public television, weeknights at 6:30 and 11:00 PM, and weekday mornings at 8:00 AM. Hosted by Ed Arnold and Ann Pulice, the half-hour programs explore all aspects of Orange County lifestyle, business, health, technology, family, education, politics, culture, the arts, and much more.

Amy and I were on tonight and it was very exciting to see her amazing installation shots. 

(Photos by Eric Stoner). I have recorded the show and will post our segment in the next day.  It is such an honor to receive publicity for the exhibition and receive great support and kudos to Amy for her amazing gift to Mike.  Her donation is giving him a new and full life. He is looking and feeling great and each day gets better. I feel so lucky to have this life and to have so many wonderful friends. Thanks to all at KOCE for making it an enjoyable experience. 

Also, tonight Wendy and I finished Aspects of Mel's Hole, which we have been working on for so long and it is absolutely gorgeous. It is 144 pages and when you see it you will love it. I Guarantee it! I am very excited because this book was so complicated and intense. Many thanks to Wendy Peng, an incredible designer who is really a powerhouse. 

Tomorrow I go into the art center and help Dennis get the artist in residence studios ready for Amy to present her artist workshops as part of her exhibition. Amy will be holding free workshops from 11-4 on the 19th of July and one in August. I will post the August date in the next day. If you want to learn to knit, enjoy some great snacks and meet a wonderful artist and person you should try to attend. Email: caterina.amy@gmail.com to register. Space is limited. 

Last note for the night is this. I wanted to thank Cathy Kubo for sending me the recipe and encouraging me to continue on my cooking adventure. Thank to our friend Tom Dowling for coming out to get Mike and taking him out on the town for lunch. It really lifted his spirits.

Also, thanks you Susan ( Mike's sister) for cooking for us tonight and for your wonderful company. Thanks to Lloyd (Mikes Dad) for also coming and enjoying dinner with us. As you can see we are not starving with all this loving care!

Please enjoy the video!

posted by Andrea & Amy

We did the KOCE Interview today

Well... Amy and I went and did the interview about Amy's artwork and the kidney transplant with KOCE Real Orange News. The show will air tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. on your PBS station.  It went real well and Amy did great. I got stuck a couple times talking but it all worked out well. 

When I picked Amy up for the show we found that we had both worn the exact color brown shirt so before we went to the station to be interviewed we stopped an got a bite to eat and she bought this amazingly cool black top. So we were not twins for the taping which was good. 

We met the Assessor for the County who was featured on the show as well. He was talking about property taxes going up while property values go down. I get his letters for my house and it was interesting to hear what he had to say. I guess he is getting a great deal of mail right now from many home owners. 

The great news today is that Mike's Creatnine is at 1.77 today. That is the second lowest its been since the surgery. He was so excited. We celebrated by going to the movies to see the The Love Guru with Mike Meyers. Funny but like all the other movies he does.  Funny and silly!

I have been working late into the night trying to finish three major books. One is at the printers as of today. One will go off in two days and the other in about two weeks. Ouch... this has been a hard time for publishing. My mind has been so tied up that it has been hard to focus.  But, I am focused now and things are getting done. I am proud to say these books

are absolutely wonderful!

I enrolled Alex in a summer reading program through UCI Extension. He has been having trouble reading so this will help I think. Also I will will attend the classes with him so I will learn how to teach him to read better. I do the phonics book with him now and that seems to also be helping. I was a slow reader in school and took a special class when I was his age. I'm not worried about him, he will get it soon and than he will fall in love with books as I did. 

I wanted to say a special thanks to some amazing friends at CSUF who paid to have our house cleaned over the past month. What a help it has been for us. Thanks so much to Joyce Leong and the Art Alliance, Larry Johnson, Jackie Reynolds, Cathy Arthur, Debra Winters, Marilyn Moore, Joanna Roche and Rochel Junn. 

posted by Andrea

Cup Cake!

I decided to make cup cakes to see if I could do it yesterday. Well they came out OK. I had left over batter so I made a small cake with it as well. I decided that I need to do more cooking projects with Alex so for the first one I chose is the unhealthy idea of cupcakes. 

My next attempt will be healthy food for us. Maybe dinner or some yummy snack. Alex won't eat this cake since he has always hated cake. Funny he is the only kid I have ever known who hates cake. He and Mike both like only healthy stuff. I am the junk food lover in this family. No, I will not eat all these cup cakes but I will sample some. I mean I have to taste my work to know if I am on the right track. 

Yellow cake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles... Just in case you were wondering! Yummy......:)

posted by Andrea

Life goes on and on!

Mike and Alex got out of the house and we went on a drive Sunday. Headed to the coast and ended up at Laguna Art Museum. The current exhibition is wonderful and we all enjoyed ourselves very much. I recommend taking the trip over to check it out for yourself.  Art is a big part of our lives so having Mike back in the gallery was a great thing for his moral. Meg Linton did a great job curating this exhibition and Greg Escalante and all the others who helped make it happen also did a great job. 

Alex hated the hula girls pictured in the background of this image. They freaked him out. He loved much of the other works. It is a great show to bring kids. A real unique experience for them. 

We are all doing real well and can't believe it has been almost one month since the surgery. Mike has amazingly good lab results and his Creatnine is about 1.9 now but seems to be staying between 1.8 and 2.0. Mike and Amy are both doing great. Amy is back to her teaching as of yesterday. It is hard to do as she is still tired but I know how she loves to teach and misses the students. I am very happy she is back in the swing of things. Also, her exhibition went off amazing. So many people came to the opening and have been giving wonderful feedback to Amy and all of us at the Art Center. Tomorrow at 3:00 we will be featured on Real Orange KOCE TV. Amy and I plan to go in and talk about the exhibition. The show will air Thursday and I will post the times once I know the details. 

I have been busy working trying to catch up on finishing book projects and curating a couple exhibitions. I am also still spending time taking care of Mike and Alex. Life is good!

posted by Andrea

Opening Night!

The opening reception was amazing!  Thank you to everyone at the Art Center for all their support and ingenuity with the installation, and thanks to all my friends that helped install the grass floor, while I rested upstairs in the AIR apartment.

If anyone has any questions about the exhibition and workshops, please email me: caterina.amy@gmail.com and check out the latest on www.freerangeknitting.com

Also, any inquires on purchasing a critter or deer, please email me for price.

Photos: Eric Stoner

-Posted by Amy

Cover of Today's OC Register!

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/caterina-mcgee-kidney-2083275-people-art

Thank you for checking out our blog! We are very excited about the article that came out today in the OC Register. Thank you Richard for your amazing writing. I hope this will inspire others to reach out and help others. Life is an amazing adventure and I am so grateful to all the many people who have been here for us.  Thank you to Dr. Chamberlain for doing a wonderful job on Amy's surgery. You were not mentioned in the article but we greatly appreciate your professionalism, support and humor!

Make sure to register with Donate Life as a Organ, Tissue and Blood donor. You can make a major difference and give the gift of Life also!

News Update!....... Amy and I have been asked to come on the KOCA Real Orange TV show on Wednesday of this next week. The interview will air on Thursday!  We will be posting times you can check it out.

posted by Andrea

We are busy and good....Even these two!

We are busy installing Amy's big solo exhibition in the project room at GCAC. This is Amy and Alex taking a break. Amy is still very tired and sore but she is a trooper and hanging in there. She rested on all her knitted sections that will soon be sewn together to create a soft grassy carpet.  This installation is really coming along. Dennis stayed at work late dialing in the projection and mounting speakers. I will be there all day tomorrow working to get it done with the amazing staff at GCAC. 

We are all very proud of Amy and so supportive of her artwork and all that she has done. Congrats in advance Amy. I am sure the exhibition will be packed and a huge hit!

Also, a photographer is coming by to photograph Amy in the gallery with some of her wonderful helpers tomorrow. The OC Register is coming out with a major article on Amy and Mike on Thursday so keep your eyes peeled!

By the way as of yesterday Mike's Creatnine is 1.8 and he has approx. 85 to 90 percent function of his new kidney. He is doing amazing. 

Many Thanks to you Heather

Today we received a card from Heather the librarian from CSUF. She was a kidney recipient December 7, 2007 and has been in touch with us in support of Mike through our kidney surgery adventures. Knowing she had been through this helped me a great deal as I was very nervous as all of you know. Well, today she send a sweet card an with it a special gift for Mike and Amy. It is a Donate Life pin that is cut in two and one half is for the donor and the other for the recipient. 

I will bring Amy's half to the gallery tomorrow and I am sure she will be thrilled. When Mike and Amy speak next year at the Donate Life event I am sure they will be wearing these pins. Forever connected.