Beth BradleyNovember 2009
Greetings, and Happy November! I hope everyone enjoyed DRC's Monster Bash! We had so much fun at those events. I am progressing well with my heart transplant, and am now enjoyng the strength of a personal trainer who is helping me get my "core" muscles balanced. She is having me use muscles I had forgotten that I owned. It's kind of crazy to have been sick for so long. I am still reading at CHRIS radio once a week and am working out three times a week. I have been reading some great fiction, if anyone is interested: the novel "The Help" by Kathryn Stockette was wonderful. "The elegance of the hedgehoge" is one not to miss. And "The Bastard of the Carolinas" was dramatic, but an incredble read. My daughter is doing a semester in London this winter. She is an excellent student and can't wait to be across the Pond. And my son got a raise and must now move to NYC, He is looking around trying to find a apartment he can afford! That's it for now. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving. remember your local food banks!
August 2009
Greetings to all of my friends! My one year check up with my new heart went well! All is going as was expected and prayed for! Thank you all for your thoughts! I am still working out three times a week and am volunteering at CRIS radio, reading what ever they give me. Once in a while I will fill in for Mary Jones when she asks. Other than that, I am at home, getting stronger. It's nice to be able to go out and and walk when it isn't raining! But so far, it's been sort of an odd summer!
This has been a long journey, and I am trying to make sense of it all, and to find meaningful work that will have an impact on society. I think I will know which way to turn when I am feeling up to it.
June 2009
It seems like all of this has happened in slow motion! But here I am, coming up on my one year anniversary since I got my new heart! I have already written to the donar's family, and hope they feel compelled to write me back. I'd really love to learn more about the girl who made such a wondeful choice to donate her heart!
My husbands is doing his Public Relations work at home, so I have some great company during the day. My daughter has moved to Brooklyn to be in NYC for the summer. She will turn 21 there. Of course she's having a party. Do you think we'll be invited? And if we are should we go??
My son and his girlfriend come over most Sundays for dinner, a tradition I really love, because they are young and could probably find other things to do with their time.
I am feeling so much better. I have a ton of scars through out my body from all of the surgery. But they are healing. Now I feel like I need to find work that can help others. I am doing lots of thinking about it.
I hope you are all well, and thank for keeping in touch!
Much love,Beth
January 2009
Happy 2009 Everyone! To all my friends and family, thank you for your prayers and for your patience. In many cases, when someone gets a new heart, people think life returns to normal. But it depends on how much surgery you had beforehand, and on how your body responds.
I have been lucky in that my body has taken well to my new heart. There have been no signs of rejection, and I continue to get better. But it's been tough. I lost all of my hair 3 months ago in response to the surgery, but it is starting to come back. I can now drive myself to cardiac rehab, which I do 3 times a week, as long as there are no storms! My husband has been wonderful, taking me to the movies, going out to eat. We had a nice Christmas with the kids home. My daughter is back up at school. so I miss her alot.
It's been hard being at home so much. I liked working, and miss all of my friends. I have been talking with some nice people at Life Choice Donor services, and may be able to help them out somewhat.
I still need to gain about 20 lbs, which is harder than you think after all that surgery. Even all the Christmas goodies didn't help!
The bottom line is, I am so grateful for the donation of this heart, and I think about the donor's family and wish them well. There is still such a need for donors. If you could update your license to make yourself one, you could really save a life!
Again, thank you for all your postive energy, and lets all get through this winter!
All my love, Beth
August 28, 2008
July 18, 2008
Dear friends, family and radio listeners,
April 18, 2008
Dear Radio Friends,
I thought I'd do another blog with this picture of my sister's grandchild,Brooklinn. I was in the hospital when she was born, so now I get to have some nice time reading to her!
The month of March was a hopeful one for me. 6 hearts came into MassGeneral that were considered for me. But it is not an easy thing. Many pieces much match up, and neither were right for me. But my staff feels that we are getting closer, and maybe with all the wonderful emails I get from fans and friends, and with so much support here at home, this will come to a happy conclusion in the right time.
Once in a while I get together with some girlfriends who are in radio, and they help me pass the time. It's been hard being out of it. My children are growing and moving on with their lives. Though they are wonderful people and I am very proud of them, I miss them here, too.
This has been an incredible time of waiting and dealing with my new Heart Mate 2, but I do believe a donar will come through and we will match.
Keep writing to me! I love hearing from you!
Love,
Beth
February 12, 2008
Dear Radio Friends,
It has been many months since I've had the good health to be reading the news or chatting with you on the air. In a sense that seems like a lifetime ago. As you know, I had a small heart attack back in October of 2006.
Unfortunately, there were other troubles with my attack that left me in need of a machine to pump my blood.
I am now on a new pump machine called a "Heart Mate 2" which has gotten lots of press. It's being used in many states and I think it will help many very sick people in the future. This instrument has given me back some parts of my life. I can go to movies or once in a while, out to eat. I am so lucky to have such a caring husband who is with me every step of the way. But the bottom line for me is that I need a new heart.
The wait for this very special gift takes time. I have been called a couple of times, but the hearts weren't right for me. I am now trying to eat well, put on weight, and hope that miraculous call comes in one day soon.
I hope life has been good to you. Make yourself a donor the next time you go to the Motor Vehicle Department. What a wonderful thing that is!
All the best,
Beth Bradley