“They had to go through a lot of approvals to put me back on the transplant list. Somehow they got it done. And within a week, they found another liver for me. It was amazing how fast it happened. “They don’t let you know who … Continue readingBullrider loses his life, but lets her live
“After my transplant, I had scans every six months. Since I had two little nodules of cancer in my original liver, they wanted to make sure it didn’t come back. “Meanwhile, they discovered that my bile duct and the donor’s bile duct never matched up … Continue reading‘They thought they were going to lose me’
“They called on a Saturday morning. My husband had just gotten off working nights, so I didn’t answer the phone. Then they called him. He didn’t answer his phone. They called my daughter. She didn’t answer her phone. They called my sister. She did answer … Continue readingHer birthday present: a new liver
“My mother works for the county. She’s been at Stallworth Stadium several weeks now, where they’re testing people for coronavirus. They’re open every day, and she only gets one day off. So it’s been physically and emotionally exhausting for her. “They’re testing about 250 a … Continue readingHer mom on coronavirus testing front lines
“Woody and I are at the stay-at-home-and-don’t-panic stage of life. Our kids do not want us to go out because of our age. “We realize we have been given a gift from God. It’s the gift of years. He will be 90 in May, and … Continue readingThey manage with recliner church, dominoes, family
“Before all this happened, I was starting to gain momentum. I was getting more shows and playing more often. I was booked well through July. Then, sadly, everything kind of hit a wall. The last public show I played was at Chelsea Wine Bar on … Continue readingFacebook Live provides outlet for singer
“I need four kids at my door before 8 a.m. I need kids tardy to class. I need someone to ask a question I literally just answered. I need my neighbor to ask me to turn on the laminator. I need a request for a … Continue readingTeacher misses life before coronavirus
(During this time of COVID-19 and social distancing, we’ve been forced to alter many aspects of our lives. This includes how we deal with death and honoring our loved ones. In this essay, Susan Cummings describes what that meant for her family.) Funerals are for … Continue readingCoronavirus changes how we bring closure
“We’ve been practicing social distancing for four years now. It started in January 2016, when my husband, Herb, went into the hospital. He almost died. “He had developed an infection in his inner thigh. He got very sick and had a high fever on New … Continue readingSocial distancing nothing new for this couple
Before our coronavirus staycation began in earnest, me and the Mrs. escaped for a quick trip east of our Baytown home to check out a few of our favorite things. In one day we hit up Sea Rim State Park in Sabine Pass, Village Creek … Continue readingBrief escape from the coronavirus