After 13 years of having cardiomyopathy (heart disease) a miracle occurred. On April 18, 2011, I received a new heart from an anonymous donor. I will be eternally grateful to his family, to the medical professionals who cared for me, to my beloved Sue for lovingly taking care of my every need, for my family and friends that fasted and prayed for me, and to the Lord for allowing me more time with my family on earth.
This is me and Zachary Buchanan before my heart decided it was all over.
The Skinners came to see me in Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. They were mostly glad to help me eat the brownies that Becca Petersen brought me.
Sue and I before I was transferred to Cedars-Sinai. I was sporting a Swan-Ganz catheter to monitor my heart. It goes in a vein and down into the heart.
Alica and Laura came to visit me at Cedars-Sinai while I waited for a donor.
Oh yeah, and Scott came too. They made a romantic trip out of their visit.
Baby Krista came to see me too. I guess she was the good luck charm because soon after this pic, I got my new heart.
Scott helped us find this condo in Redondo Beach, where I recuperated.
This is the other side. The whole place was about 500 sq ft. Perfect for someone who doesn't move much and has his wife fetch everything for him.
We were about 1 block from the Redondo pier. This is my first trip out. We enjoyed the waves and sea food. AND, I got a great looking hat.
I masked up when germ carriers (kids) came close.
Laura had to get in on the Redondo pier ice cream action too.
I got this AWESOME shirt from Laura and Jessica. It says it all. The pic also shows the 25 pounds I lost.
Sue is enjoying the cookies and flowers given to her on Mothers Day. She is the ULTIMATE mother. She even tries to keep me in line.
I loaned my hat to Sue on our walk by Torrance beach so she could look as cool as me.
We ventured out to 3rd Street in Santa Monica for some bad felafel and great Pinkberry yogurt.
Jessica came from Texas to see the Wayfarer's Chapel in Palos Verdes.
This is the tree where Sue and I posed for our engagement photos 38 years ago.
What a cute (older) couple.
The church where Val and Steve Franklin were married and where Alicia, Teresa, Laura, Jessica and Landon began their singing careers.
Jessica and Sue at Torrance beach. We also took her by all the Torrance landmarks - our houses, high school, Sav-On (now CVS).
Sue and I at Torrance beach at the end of our stay in Redondo Beach.
We next moved to Venice beach for 3 more weeks. This is Sue at the Venice Beach canals. I never knew they existed.
Standing on a bridge by one of the gorgeous canal homes.
I could have bought my medicinal marijuana at this place because the "doctor" is always in. Californian Morons!
Laura and Brian got to see the canals too when they brought stuff to us.
Sue and I at the Venice pier.
Laura and Brian at the Venice pier
We checked out Dockweiller Beach on one of our outings for Tawna and Kory's wedding beach party.
My wonderful children gave me an IPad to keep the sickly guy occupied. Krista had to train me.
This is the day that day Tawna got her endowment.
Cute (younger) couple.
The Wedding Royale - About 6 weeks after my transplant. Another prayer answered, another miracle.
Of course, it was great to come home to this smiling face.
November 25th was my mom's 80th birthday. To celebrate, she hosted a wonderful, 3 day party for all of her posterity. Mom, Ann Allred, is on the right. Her sister, Ada Gardner, is on the left.
She had a catered Thanksgiving dinner at the Stehli Farms. It could not have been more perfect for our family.
Mom and Ada enjoying a delicious meal, without anyone having to do dishes.
This is the herd. We were only missing Tracy's Cooper, Hannah and her husband Tyler, and our Steve, Teresa, Steven, Nathan, Jacob, Brandon and Alex Hughes, who were in Virginia with Steve's family.
The jumping pillow was a MONSTER hit.
Jessica and Norah tracking dinosaurs.
Evan took us to the gypsum mine he visited on his BYUI geology field trip. He is with Davin Skinner and Serena, Bryce's wife.
Davin and his gypsum claim.
Bryce, Serena and the gypsum shining in the November sun.
All of Gma's grandkids, except Hannah and Cooper Allred, and Teresa Hughes.
The great grandkids at Gma's 80th birthday party.
We climbed this sandstone hill at Snow Canyon, where Evan educated us on the geology of the place.
Sue and I celebrating that we survived the climb.
The grandkids enjoying the view.
Scott Buchanan in the cave we visited (but we didn't go in).
The hostess and the reason for the celebration - my mom. I love her dearly.
