leighton, They just leave the old, hardly functioning kidneys attached. The transplant donor was my wife Barbara. Interestingly we were a good match. We met 23 years ago online after we both were widowed.
me in Michigan, and her in Hobart Tasmania, Australia.
There are differences in how we each view these recent surgeries. For Barb it seemed more a binary decision, and for me – not so much. After my April 2017 diagnosis; my thoughts went to the “how much life is enough” question. I had to reach acceptance just as I had entering widowhood. As Barb and I made an act of the will to live again 23 years ago, that potential reality might not be possible for me. Even though we both knew one of us would revisit widowhood again, someday. Additionally, I was initially against any loved one taking the risk to donate an organ, which led to another journey.
When I first awoke post-op my initial assumption was that Barbara felt the same as I did, and that I had made a terrible mistake to let her go through such pain. I don’t know how you can prepare for “major” surgery, but I clearly underestimated it’s impact. Fortunately. Barb had a better post-op experience than I, but it was “major” for her as well.
The conflict of “doing no harm” was evident in the surgeons as well. Here they were harvesting an organ from a perfectly healthy person to maybe help another. The crushing weight of that contradiction was physically evident in Barb’s surgeon, and yet he did it.
Now Barb and I begin another journey brought on by yet another act of the will. Interestingly, it is the same decision – to live again. I feel like I have been born again with my lovely bride. We will heal and journey the days ahead grateful for each day we share. My new kidney is erasing all kinds of problems caused by 2.5 years of renal failure. I have literally seen miracles in my body's reaction to the new kidney.
Wow, grats!
As a former transplant coordinator, I can tell you that living donor kidney transplants have great outcome. Take care of the kidney and take care of yourself, it's truly a new lease of life.
I'm of the opinion that some shows/festivals can be TOO big.
The pit is nice that there's other photographers there, and you don't feel like you have to keep your eye on your gear at all times. Not only that, but there's a potty right there for us, and ice water is supplied with the cost of the ticket. It's pretty close to show center.
pbraymond wrote:
OK. I thought maybe it was the buildup to the big airshow later this month. Do the pits provide the best vantage points for viewing?
Welcome back James, always good to be on the right side of the roots, James Markus wrote:
Hi everyone. First time shooting with three kidneys. I'm shaky, and my eyesight has slipped a bit, but I am vertical. 135 f2 ai
James, that's wonderful news. May your journey together be long and wonderful.
James Markus wrote:
leighton, They just leave the old, hardly functioning kidneys attached. The transplant donor was my wife Barbara. Interestingly we were a good match. We met 23 years ago online after we both were widowed.
me in Michigan, and her in Hobart Tasmania, Australia.
There are differences in how we each view these recent surgeries. For Barb it seemed more a binary decision, and for me – not so much. After my April 2017 diagnosis; my thoughts went to the “how much life is enough” question. I had to reach acceptance just as I had entering widowhood. As Barb and I made an act of the will to live again 23 years ago, that potential reality might not be possible for me. Even though we both knew one of us would revisit widowhood again, someday. Additionally, I was initially against any loved one taking the risk to donate an organ, which led to another journey.
When I first awoke post-op my initial assumption was that Barbara felt the same as I did, and that I had made a terrible mistake to let her go through such pain. I don’t know how you can prepare for “major” surgery, but I clearly underestimated it’s impact. Fortunately. Barb had a better post-op experience than I, but it was “major” for her as well.
The conflict of “doing no harm” was evident in the surgeons as well. Here they were harvesting an organ from a perfectly healthy person to maybe help another. The crushing weight of that contradiction was physically evident in Barb’s surgeon, and yet he did it.
Now Barb and I begin another journey brought on by yet another act of the will. Interestingly, it is the same decision – to live again. I feel like I have been born again with my lovely bride. We will heal and journey the days ahead grateful for each day we share. My new kidney is erasing all kinds of problems caused by 2.5 years of renal failure. I have literally seen miracles in my body's reaction to the new kidney. ...Show more →
James Markus wrote:
leighton, They just leave the old, hardly functioning kidneys attached. The transplant donor was my wife Barbara. Interestingly we were a good match. We met 23 years ago online after we both were widowed.
me in Michigan, and her in Hobart Tasmania, Australia.
There are differences in how we each view these recent surgeries. For Barb it seemed more a binary decision, and for me – not so much. After my April 2017 diagnosis; my thoughts went to the “how much life is enough” question. I had to reach acceptance just as I had entering widowhood. As Barb and I made an act of the will to live again 23 years ago, that potential reality might not be possible for me. Even though we both knew one of us would revisit widowhood again, someday. Additionally, I was initially against any loved one taking the risk to donate an organ, which led to another journey.
When I first awoke post-op my initial assumption was that Barbara felt the same as I did, and that I had made a terrible mistake to let her go through such pain. I don’t know how you can prepare for “major” surgery, but I clearly underestimated it’s impact. Fortunately. Barb had a better post-op experience than I, but it was “major” for her as well.
The conflict of “doing no harm” was evident in the surgeons as well. Here they were harvesting an organ from a perfectly healthy person to maybe help another. The crushing weight of that contradiction was physically evident in Barb’s surgeon, and yet he did it.
Now Barb and I begin another journey brought on by yet another act of the will. Interestingly, it is the same decision – to live again. I feel like I have been born again with my lovely bride. We will heal and journey the days ahead grateful for each day we share. My new kidney is erasing all kinds of problems caused by 2.5 years of renal failure. I have literally seen miracles in my body's reaction to the new kidney. ...Show more →
I wrestle with the same questions you do. I'm so glad that it has worked out so well for you and Barb and wish you continued good health.
James Markus wrote:
leighton, They just leave the old, hardly functioning kidneys attached. The transplant donor was my wife Barbara. Interestingly we were a good match. We met 23 years ago online after we both were widowed.
me in Michigan, and her in Hobart Tasmania, Australia.
There are differences in how we each view these recent surgeries. For Barb it seemed more a binary decision, and for me – not so much. After my April 2017 diagnosis; my thoughts went to the “how much life is enough” question. I had to reach acceptance just as I had entering widowhood. As Barb and I made an act of the will to live again 23 years ago, that potential reality might not be possible for me. Even though we both knew one of us would revisit widowhood again, someday. Additionally, I was initially against any loved one taking the risk to donate an organ, which led to another journey.
When I first awoke post-op my initial assumption was that Barbara felt the same as I did, and that I had made a terrible mistake to let her go through such pain. I don’t know how you can prepare for “major” surgery, but I clearly underestimated it’s impact. Fortunately. Barb had a better post-op experience than I, but it was “major” for her as well.
The conflict of “doing no harm” was evident in the surgeons as well. Here they were harvesting an organ from a perfectly healthy person to maybe help another. The crushing weight of that contradiction was physically evident in Barb’s surgeon, and yet he did it.
Now Barb and I begin another journey brought on by yet another act of the will. Interestingly, it is the same decision – to live again. I feel like I have been born again with my lovely bride. We will heal and journey the days ahead grateful for each day we share. My new kidney is erasing all kinds of problems caused by 2.5 years of renal failure. I have literally seen miracles in my body's reaction to the new kidney. ...Show more →
What a fantastic love story! I'm glad you are doing well and I wish both of you a very long life together.
Going To The Sun Road in Glacier NP finally opened on Sunday. There was a delay this year for some road work. I went up on Tuesday, and as predicted, it was very busy. I went up to Logan Pass and was lucky enough to find a parking spot at the lower parking lot as someone left just as I came out.
For those who are not familiar with Glacier, Logan Pass parking lot is ALWAYS full from dawn to dusk and any pullout anywhere near is also full. Its best to take the free shuttle, but these are now full as well. Be prepared to wait for a bus. [FWIW, July 2017 saw over 1 million visitors to Glacier - this was the first time any Nat'l Park recorded more than 1M visitors in a month].
The attraction is a short trail behind the Visitor's Center that leads up to an overlook of Hidden Lake below. The trail is often closed beyond this point due to bears, or, as right now, due to snow. The trail up was mostly snow covered and looked like this:
[Nikon Df, Nikkor 28mm f2 AIS, ISO 100, f11, 1/100s]
This lens is on grateful loan from MontanaKid Jack (thanks Jack). One can see some softness in the corners, but infinity focus looks good - which is the reputation of this lens. I tried some focus stacking at f8 rather than a single hyperfocal shot) for a better, more dramatic depth of field, and the corners are very sharp. However, the clouds were moving very fast (as they usually do here), and I got a rather funky looking sky.
My brother has a collection of knives that he's asked me to sell so I took some pictures of them using my 50mm f2 H lens on the D7100. All triggered remotely. I love the sharpness that using a tripod gives. All 4 shown here are sought after by collectors and I thought I'd share them here.
gbohannon wrote:
Wrapping up my Staunton trip pictures with 3 black and white shots. All Leica M and Nikkor 5cm f/2 LTM lens.
Took the scenic route back to North Carolina.
First shot was my last one from the train station.
Second shot from Rockfish Gap a little east of Staunton.
Third shot, I couldn't resist the call of the many wineries and distilleries in Nelson County. This one pulled me in
George
Another very nice set. Barbara and I go through that part of the state once a year to go out to lunch and get apples, I don't remember seeing that winery before. Is it off of Rt 29?
leighton w wrote:
Another very nice set. Barbara and I go through that part of the state once a year to go out to lunch and get apples, I don't remember seeing that winery before. Is it off of Rt 29?
It is right off RT29 between Lovingston and RT6 (Rockfish River road). On the right heading north.
From the village of Villard-Reymond right round three valleys to the Village of Allemond shot from Villard-Reculas high on the back of Alpe d'Huez in the Southern French Alps .....
, no. This was the Dayton Air Show. 
