The double exclamation points doesn’t do total justice to how I barked at the man who would hold the final vote in whether I made it to the lung transplant list. I mean I didn’t cuss him but we came to a place of understanding that day in November of 2020.

My lungs had progressed to a point where my pulmonologist thought it was a good idea to send me to see the transplant team at Tampa General. Just kind of an introductory thing in my mind that turned into a defining moment in my life.

The man in charge of the department had a way. He came in strong, cocky, a bit over the top and I knew we would get along just fine…as soon as I let him know who I was. He came in with an entourage of Transplant Coordinators, nurses and a cast of thousands (well it felt that way). He had all my records and just jumped in as to what it took to a part of the program. “Why can’t you lose weight? I mean you lose weight you gain weight. No discipline? You have to take care of yourself for a lifetime like you haven’t yet. There is getting in the best shape you can and then be as near death as you don’t want to be. Like be within a year or less of getting lungs or dying. Can you do that? Your lungs are stable enough now for you to keep going but they are not getting better.”

It was my turn to talk. What came out was me. I just blurted at him in my own strong, cocky and a bit over the top way which most might not find to have been the best plan. “You ever coached before?” I launched at him. He looked confused ( as did everyone else in the room). “You have kids?” was my next blast. He told me yes and then I just rolled. “You ever coach them? (head nods). Good. I’ll bet you coach like your bedside manner which is ok. You see I have been a high school coach for 30 years. Many sports. Head coach, assistant coach. Before that I was an athlete and you could not ask for a better one than me. I didn’t have all the talent but I took my coach’s instruction and followed direction like no one else. You want me do something to get this done then tell me what it is. What do you want me to do right now that will show you how serious this is to me!”

The room was actually still. I don’t think anyone had barked at him like that in this setting. That was my read from the nurses, coordinators and the cast of thousands. He then said I had to lose weight. Get my BMI to a decent place. Start with pulmonary rehab to keep the current lungs working until we can help you. Ok…when do you want me back. December 28, 2020. It was currently the week before Thanksgiving. Then the Christmas season of stuffing your face. Here we go.

Back at work the next day I asked my principal what he had been doing to lose weight all year. Impressive run. Tall man and like me just need to get after it and he had. He told me ACV. Huh? Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother. Protein. Cut the sugar. Ok. I took that bit of information to Google and found Dr. Ken Berry and the Keto way. This is not an ad or my time to push an agenda on you but that day I quit sugar, flour and most all carbs you could find. Did I mention it was the week before Thanksgiving? On December 28, 2020 the good doctor came into the exam room and just stopped. Looked at me and said stand up. He was stunned I was just starting. I lost 30 pounds. Forgot to mention he put me on 40mg of Prednisone to help with stuff in my lungs. If you know anything about Prednisone know that it causes you to gain weight. Want to eat everything. Make you edgy. Whatever…he just looked at me and maybe thought there was something to my words.

Still on keto today. Down 50 and keeping it off for 17 months. Half the battle. The other half was good too as I did virtual rehab. Continued to walk a much as I could. My lungs were not responding to my efforts but I kept moving forward. New job arrangement that happened in February of 2021 had me going to three schools! Two elementary and my Mann Middle. I took that circus of tanks and tubes on the road. So happy I did. I found some more amazing people. New friends. All these new friends also watched the decline and unfortunately for them only got to know me in that state.

Followed his directions and just kept moving until November 2021 when he said to me at a routine appointment, “You have done everything we have asked of you. Time for us to do what we said we can do for you.” I was at the same moment excited and horrified. There is so much to think of when actually getting this process moving. And then “A Funny Thing Happened on the way to Lung Transplant Surgery”