Prayers were sent my way...for healing.

Picture of my eyes on the mend -

The swelling is down and I can now open my eyes fully.

On Monday Allen and I were suppose to be in Calgary for volunteer training instead I was seeing a specialist about my eyes.

I was told that prayers were sent my way and I was very thankful for them, prayers are a wonderful thing, I truly believe in them.

How I was injured

On July 5th - my grandson Max who was suffering with an eye injury and infection had reached up to grab me and ended touching both my eyes and giving me a scratch in my right eye.

Medical attention

On the 10th, I had been to emerg to see a doctor and he had put me on antibiotics, but my eyes weren't getting better, so I went back on the 14th and the doctors stated that I had to see a specialist.

On Sunday the 15th (due to the swelling in my eye) the cornea was torn away from my eye.

When I went to see the specialist on the 15th, she informed me that I did have a scratch down the middle of my right eye and the cornea was also torn, She was able to reset my torn cornea and informed me that I had a viral and bacterial infection in both of my eyes.  She then put me on a regime of antibiotics. 

On Monday she put on Vigamox drops  and I had to put them in every hour. Then I had Tobradex ointment for bedtime.

She also put me on an oral antibiotic doxycycline that I had to take for the 2 weeks.

Day 2 - i stoped the Vagamox start the Tobradex with Tobramycin and I had to put those in every 2 hours.

She also put me on Tramadol/ACET for pain and Advil for inflammation.

And to help me see a bit better until it healed she has me on Isopto Atropine - which made my pupils really big but at least i was able to see.

Four days later - My husband ( Allen) took me to see her again ...she said that I was healing nicely, then whan I saw her on the 23rd, she stated that I was completely healed, although I still had some swelling, She also stated that I had to continue the eye drops for an additional 2 weeks.

Eyes are healed

So the breakdown of all of this is that, after seeing the specialist I was healed within one week.

Speaking to others

As we sometimes do .....

Since my injury I've spoken to a few people about injuries such as mine and I've been told by others who have suffered similar injuries that it's taken months for theirs to heal.

We also have a family member that is now blind in an eye that suffered a scratch.

So I know that I have been blessed and I'm truly thankful for the prayers that were sent for my healing.

God bless and have a great day.

Maria

This is a picture of

 

My grandson (2 1/2 year old)

Max  

Max's eye has also healed nicely.

No Games for us and a Vow

Well my friends,

Things didn't turn out as we had planned and it saddened me to have to send this message to the games committee via.

Jennifer  Holman  

Physical Therapy Clinical Coordinator

Transplant Services

University of Alberta Hospital

1F2.22 Walter C. McKenzie Centre

8440-112 Street

Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7

Dear Jennifer,

Hooked on Games and
A Vow 

When Allen and I attended the 2006 Transplant Games in Edmonton we didn't realize that we had become hooked on the action and the vitality for life that the athletes and their families had to share.It was during these games that we truly realized the true impact that our eldest daughter (Tasha) had made on others by asking to help save lives through the gift of organ & tissue donation.

At the 2006 games we were to witness, true champions and true heroes, these individuals happened to be the athletes and their families.

We didn't truly realize what an impact these games had on us and especially Allen, until the 2008 transplant games, when we flew to Ontario to once more volunteer for the games and we did this despite Allen's near phobia of flying.

Then in 2010 when we were distressed and dejected to not be able to attend these games due to other health issues.

It was at this time we made a vow to each other, the vow was, that we would never miss another opportunity to help at the games or be a part of the games.

During these past two years Allen and I planed to once more volunteer at the games and we were so excited that they were being held in Calgary.

We were looking forward to staying one more time in the Athletes Village with all of out new found friends and we had so many plans.

This time we were going to the games, come hell or high water, we would be there.

Then suddenly on July 5th I sustained an eye injury and contracted a viral eye infection and a bacterial eye infection.

Due to this, I was put on a regime of antibiotics to try and get things under control.

Then on Sunday as we planed to drive out and still attend these games -

the doctor in our emergency health facility  informed us that I was highly contagious and would therefore put the games athletes at a very great risk of infection.

These words and only these words, prevented us from attending.

I was then sent to see a specialist and she repaired my cornea and she then put me on additional antibiotics and other medication to help with the healing process.

I was given strict instructions to rest my eyes and sleep lots so that my eyes could heal properly.

When I was told that I couldn't attend the games I reminded Allen of the vow that we had made to each other that , no matter what happens, at least one of us would attend the games ! !!

But to my added distress, Allen refused to leave my side.

We truly have missed everyone at these past games and you have been in our hearts all week long.

And we hope, God willing, we will be able to be with you again at future games.

We also hope and pray that one and all have a safe and happy trips home.

Yours truly - forever in our minds and hearts.

Maria and Allen Stranaghan
Donor Family
Peace River AB 1993
Sent from my iPhone

Bad news

It doesn't look promising for me to be at the games the doctor just informed me that my cornea is already half off my eye...

not easy typing with one blurry eye....

hopefully better soon

take care and God bless 

Eye infection >>Prayers Please

Dear friends

I'm looking at this screen with blurred vision,....My grandson had pink eye and I now have it.

Max also accidentally scratched my eye also ....therefore now I'm in a real mess.

I have been on antibiotic drops for the past five days....I now  to take an antibiotic drop every two hours and I also have to put in an antibiotic cream at night.

The specialist told my doctor that if things get worse I have to go in asap.this means that my vision is being damaged.

But if they remain the same I am to see the specialist on Monday...

We are suppose to be at the games doing volunteer orientation....What a disappointment! and the games officially start on Tuesday....

If you are a prayerful person could you please say one for me.

I hope things clear up soon.

Take care and God bless

Maria 

Transplant Games - Getting the word out.

Well dear reader....

Since I received the message about the need for more volunteers, I've been sitting at my computer trying to get the word out.

I started by sending it to everyone on my email list and since I don't like to send mass emails, I did this for one person at a time.

I followed the same rule and sent the message to, editors from newspapers from across Alberta (including university papers) and TV news teams.

After this I added the information to my face book pages, this blog and my twitter page.

I'm thankful to say that, family and friends are doing what they can and they are also getting the word out. 

On a personal level, I still have a lot to do before we go to the games.

As usual I'm still taking care of my grandson Max on a full time basis, he is a joy to have around but can be a handful. Also at this point in time the poor little guy is suffering from pink eye....and he needs a few more hugs then usual. 

I must say that taking care of Max, does limit the time that I can work on this project, the web-page etc.

Then when you add to this, the transplant games, vacation time, a wedding and family reunion - all I can think of is this ....

Thank Goodness that the Guinness book banner attempt isn't until next May.

God bless and have a great day

Maria

What are the Transplant Games?

Olympics for Unsung Heroes

What are the Transplant Games?

1.      They are athletic games and competitions

2.      The Athletes/competitors are men women and children of all ages and they are all transplant recipients.

3.      This year the games are being held in Calgary between July 16 -21, 2012. 

As a donor family, my husband (Allen) and I attended and volunteered at the National Transplant games in Edmonton in 2006; it was the first time that the games were to come to western Canada.

While attending these games we were treated as heroes for being a donor family.

Before attending these games, as a donor family, we always considered out daughter to be a hero for letting us know that she wanted to be an organ and tissue donor.

Then during the week of the games, recipients and their families started to share their stories with us. It was at this time that we were to witness true living heroes.

As a donor family, we have always been grateful that our daughter’s wishes were fulfilled, but we didn’t see a true impact of what her wish meant, until we attended these games.

At these games, along with being a witness to the gratitude and the zest for life that these athletes and their families shared, we also were witness to the great sadness that they suffered knowing the loss that we have endured and endure. For us, it was heart wrenching, to see those individuals going through this kind of pain and suffering.

During these games, we came to know very brave individuals and families that were showing gratitude and giving thanks and making the best of what life had and has to offer.

Since that time, we now know that some of these individuals are no longer with us and this saddens us, but we are thankful that we were invited to be a part their world. Because  during that time, they strived to be the best that they could be, if only for this one time, just these games and we were proud to have known these (True Champions – True Heroes ) if only for a few days and only for a brief time.

We now know that at these National Transplant Games we have an opportunity to see true heroes, living heroes that have been given a new lease on life because of heroes like our child that wanted to be a donor and help others.

We are fortunate and thankful that, we are a donor family and volunteer members of the Canadian Transplant Association at the National Transplant games

 Be a hero for heroes –be a volunteer at the 2012 Transplant Games in Calgary  

God bless and have a great day.

Maria

Help needed for Transplant Games in Calgary !!

Transplant Games - Swim Officials Needed!

Do you have family and/or friends in Calgary that might be able to help out with the National Transplant Games? 

I find it hard to believe that in a city the size of Calgary that there would be a shortage of people willing to help out with this event. 

If you don't know of anyone could you please still pass the word around?

They are looking for volunteers to help out at the National Transplant Games.

They are in need of individuals to help out with the swim meet.

 As a donor family, Allen and I have already put our name in to volunteer for the swim meet and the golf tournament. 

But since they are short of volunteers we let them know that they can schedule us wherever there is a need.  

Since they are now asking us to also get this word out, I would like to know if you could please pass this message on to others.

God bless and have a great day.

Maria.

MESSAGE 

Quote

From Shauna Rivait .

We are still looking for volunteer certified officials for the Canadian Transplant Games Swim meet in Calgary on Thursday July 19, 2012 from 8:30 am until 1:00pm held at the Foothills Aquatic Pool – across from the U of C Campus.

We require officials in the following positions:

Ø  Chief Marshall,

Ø  Starter,

Ø  Recorder,

Ø  Runner,

Ø  Chief Timer,

Ø  15 Timers (five lanes being used),

Ø  Chief Finish Judge,

Ø  One stroke Judge

Ø  & a Turn Judge.

We know that this is late asking for help, but we would really appreciate your assistance in this. 

Please circulate this email to anyone you may know who may be able to help! 

Thank you in advance

For your knowledge, the competitors have all received transplants and this is part of a week of competitions being held in Calgary between July 16 -21, 2012. 

If you want to know more about the games you can view our website – google Canadian Transplant Association or check out www.organ-donation-works.org. 

All people who volunteer will need to register as a volunteer for the games as well in which you will receive a T-Shirt and be able to attend the Volunteer Appreciation Evening. 

If you have any questions please contact: Susan Fritz at susan.fritz@gov.ab.ca

Deb Diemer at debdiemer@live.ca

Shauna Rivait

Volunteer Committee Chair

Calgary's Local Organizing Committee
6th Canadian Transplant Games
http://www.organ-donation-works.org/