Me, impatient?

We have done a lot in the week since returning to Sandpoint. The weather has been perfect, mid 70's during the day, dry. Lawn and garden are looking great. Got the wedding invitations printed and sent off. We've had dinners with a few friends to "catch up", and thank them for their support through the transplant ordeal.

Appetite and taste are slowly improving, but still far from eating with my normal "gusto". Weird!

Feeling somewhat frustrated in my efforts to re-gain strength and stamina. Working out on weight machines at the Club, swimming, riding my bicycle for all errands in town and one 12 mile ride on my road bike on my beautiful new, smooth wooden rims. By Friday I had to admit to myself that I was showing signs of "over training", and took a three day break. The fact that my hematocrit (red blood cell count)is still sitting at 26.1 (my normal is 40-45) certainly is a major factor. Red blood cell production may be slower this time around due to the kidney damage. Normally your kidney secretes a hormone (erythropoiten - the infamous performance enhancer "Epo") that stimulates red cell production by the bone marrow.
I'll just have to be patient. (Not easy for me!)

I may not be able to pedal up a small hill, but I'm certainly strong enough to fly an airplane. I did some proficiency maneuvers with an instructor last Saturday, instrument flying practice with George on Thursday, flew MC and a friend to a breakfast Fly-in In Plains, MT yesterday morning, and then in the afternoon MC and I flew down to Lewiston for a dinner/work party with our old gourmet group there. We strung lights on fruit trees in their backyard in preparation for their daughter's wedding on the 5th of July. We had a nice flight back to Sandpoint this morning. I'm counting my blessings!

Phil