Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I can't believe that 2009 is here. It seems that 2008 zipped by. Since it is a new year, it is time to look back on my life in the past year.

On the health front, 2008 was a very good year for me. Last year I had no problems with trach obstructions, as I did in 2007. For that, I am thankful. Also, a visit to the cardiologist and an echo cardiogram revealed that my heart was in good condition, despite the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. That put my mind at ease.

This year marked two significant events in my life. June was the fourteenth anniversary of me being trached and vented. This is always one of the most important events in my life. It represents my new lease on life, and the reason why I am still here to write this. In July, I reached a big milestone in my life: I turned forty. I celebrated with family and friends with a Spanish-themed party with flamenco dancers, a singer, and guitarist. It was a great way to celebrate my entrance to the forty something club, and most importantly, it represents yet another victory over Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

In the area of entertainment, it was a good year. In April I went to the Honda Arena in Anaheim to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. It was a great show. In May I went to the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in Chula Vista, to see The Police in concert. It brought back memories of the 1980's, and after all these years, they still sounded good. In July, I saw Chris Isaak in concert at the Valley View Casino on the Indian reservation near Valley Center. He put on an enjoyable show. In October, I attended the Miramar Air Show, at MCAS Miramar in San Diego. It was great seeing all the awesome flight demonstrations, especially The Blue Angels who put on an amazing show.

The most unique event of the year occurred in February. I attended the Dinner with the Pros in, a charity dinner and auction, attended by athletes from the NFL, MLB, PGA. LPGA. I enjoyed meeting athletes, such as Junior Seau, Drew Bress, Phil Nevin, and David Wells, among others. It was an enjoyable evening, and for a good cause: to help troubled teens. I was able to attend thanks to friends John and Holly Carney, who organized the event.

The most interesting event last year, was going to the exhibit, A Day in Pompeii. It was a fascinating exhibit about the life in the ancient Roman city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The artifacts unearthed from the site, as well as the body casts of some of the victims buried in ash from the eruption, brought the past alive.

The only negative note in my life last year, was my close call with death in September. This occurred when my trach was accidentally pulled out and I stopped breathing. Thanks to the paramedics and the medical staff in the E.R., I was kept alive.

As usual, Thanksgiving and Christmas were enjoyable times spent with my family. That is what the holidays are all about.

In Memoriam

Cody Namesnik 1978-2008

A fellow DMDer, who lost his battle with pneumonia. He was a kind, and good-natured person. I never met him in person, but knew him online and chatted with him. He is still missed.

Michael Martin 1930-2008

A dear family friend. He died peacefully in his sleep. I miss his wit, interesting stories, kindness, and the visits. It was a privilege to have known him.