Happy New Year !

Well, this will be interesting. This is my first Sober New Year's Eve since I was in High School. Let's see, that was 1976 so I've blown 31 of them in a row. Not like I don't remember them, or that this one will be any different than the others, minus the drugs and alcohol, but I can't say that there was a "Happy" one in the bunch, which just makes them just a "New Year. (Oh Crap! he's gonna sing... and Barry Manilow at that... I'm gonna PUKE... SOBER !) "It's just another New Year's Eve, another night like all the rest. It's Just another New Year's Eve, let's make it the best. It's just another New Year's Eve, it's just another Auld Lang Syne, but when we're through this New Year you'll see, we'll be just fine.

I guess, when you boil it all down, I just made it through my 1st Year Anniversary of being 100% Clean and Sober (not a slip, not a drip), Thanksgiving, Christmas, my 46th (SHIT !) Birthday and 4 hours away from the New Year, not to mention the almost uncountable hours spent on doctors visits, AA meetings, physical therapy, medications, injections, extractions and tests. After all of that, I still have a few brain cells left to fire enough to keep my tired heart beating, and my heart-light shining. So thank you, my friends for putting up with me through all this. and, most importantly, Thank You God, for the strength to continue, my family and my friends to hold me up when I'm tired and lonely, and the humility to know where it comes from.

And so, my friends, may this New Year bring us all health, happiness and long life.

I SURVIVED !

Well, Christmas came and went and I SURVIVED ! That's a whole lot more than I can say for last year. Last year I was laying in a hospital bed at a convalescent facility and couldn't even get to the bathroom by myself. (He could go, but couldn't get there - you make the the picture in YOUR head - We've been there) I'm still a little tired, and need to do something to loose a few pounds now, but I'm feeling "Healthy". It seems I still have a bad tooth, (THAT will have to come out!) and I need to re-build some strength in my back, but It's all Good !

Time to get to work !

Abby Normal ?

If you know who or what "Abby Normal" (without looking it up) be the first to post a comment to THIS post and win a prize.

Getting Tired !

It's Wednesday, the 19th and there's not a whole lot left in the tank, and there's miles to go before I sleep. I'm almost twice as active as I've been in a while and the stamina is not there like it used to be. Back when I was with that Kids group, I remember working 8hr. days, THEN doing a show at a mall or old folks home. Mind you, I was 10 plus yrs. younger then, but I feel about 30 yrs. older now (you think is was all that drinking ?). I gotta pull this one through, though. There's too much riding on it (Life?). Can't you just go away till New Years, Phil? (What? I didn't say anything. Besides, you can't have any fun without hurting me.) Wanna Bet ? (Yeah, you bet your life and I'll bet I end up in a jar at some medical school labeled "Abby Normal")

I gotta go lay down. I'm arguing with my liver again.

It's a Miracle !

O.K, well, it's not a miracle quite yet, but things ARE getting Better. I realize that Christmas is NOT all about me. But that doesn't mean that I'm going to stop watching my Christmas Movies, Cartoons, Carols and such. You're welcome to watch and experience them with me.


I Do wish my Zoe, Monica, Renee, Gail, Janna, Ashley, Donna, Devyn, Melissa, Karen, Tracy & Family, Jeff (Lefty), and other loved ones, and all my family were here to share this with me. After all, a year ago I was beginning to drift back from a Coma, and being "MOSTLY dead" I really DO have a lot to be thankful for this year.

"God Bless Us, Every One !"

Well, it appears that I have been rebuked for the Grinching of Myself (Imagine that!) I feel that I need to add some additional information to justify this, so here is an excerpt from the reason I gave to my Cousin, Karen. I realize that is, technically, a "previously published work" but it was too good to not use again.

Dear, Cuz ..."First, I have Grinched myself because, as you noticed, I have been whining to many of my friends for THEIR LACK of "Christmas Spirit." Our "Boomer" generation was raised with the stop action animation of such classics as "Rudolf..."(Burl Ives), "Santa Clause is Coming to Town"(Fred Astaire), and standard animations of "How the Grinch..."(Boris Karloff), "Frosty..."(Jimmy Durante) and, of course, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (penned by the now immortal Charles Schultz). That's where I learned about OUR Traditional "Christmas" Ask a kid today who Scrooge is and they'll tell you "Donald Ducks Rich Uncle. I mean CHRIST ALMIGHTY ! (By the way, that's His NAME, not a cuss word) (No, I didn't mean YOU) The Pea-Brained... I mean "Generation X" and "Generation Next" kids, in their teens, 20's and 30's don't know this Christmas. They know X-Box, & "Guitar Hero", Hillary Duff, Hanna Montana and "A High School Musical Christmas" (Actually, I made that last one up, but is it a stretch ?)

So my point, in the blog was "I WANT MY CHRISTMAS" damn it ! I Don't WANT to change. I want Christmas to be about "Trimming the Tree", not the Presents under it. I want "Hark ! The Herald Angels Sing" not "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer". I Want an Oompa-Loompa NOW ! ! ! (Oops, sorry) But do you get my point ? And my Point is "Christmas doesn't belong to Me" and I shouldn't act like it does. That's why I awarded myself the first "Golden Grinch". Because Christmas will be what it is, whether I like it or not and even if I steal all their Hornswagglers and Bambooslers, when they wake up on Christmas Morning, those F-ing Who's will still gather around the tree, sing that damn song, and feast on "Roast Beast"... Because It's CHRISTMAS ! "

I hope this makes things a little more clear as to how I am feeling this Holiday Season. Since I LOST the last one (that "IN A COMA" thing), I feel that I am allowed to have a little extra Christmas this year, and I intend to do so whether everyone likes it or not. If I try to shove one last bite of Christmas into you, take no offense but, damn it, your gonna eat it, or "NO PIE FOR YOU !"

... Stink, Stank, Stunk !

Well, I'm told that the last few days, in my attempts to have myself a Very, Merry Christmas, I have attempted to force that same Holly, Jollyness on other people. That would make me the First Official Recipient of the "Great Golden Grinch" award.

This award has been present to Doug Coutts for his Un-Nerving "Pity-Me" attitude due to his personal desire to celebrate the Holiday Spirit. This revelry should be celebrated by the individual as he or she sees fit, and not to the standards Mr. Coutts sees fit. This attitude exemplifies the Grinchiest of traits and is truly deserving of this award.

"December 7th, 1941

A Day that will Live in Infamy" I, of course, was not born then, and my parents were still in their youth. The day, actually, didn't mean...anything to me, but the Submarine Base @ Pearl Harbor is right across from the Arizona Memorial (about a mile). We, on the sub, would always look at it and curse as we scrubbed the film of oil/seawater that collected at the water line on our boat.

It wasn't till I had Submarine Base Duty weekend and had to drive a group of Japanese Sailors for a tour around the base, that I realized how important that Memorial is to US. When we visited the Arizona, I watched as one of the Japanese sailors made a gesture with his hand like an airplane crashing, then an explosion, then pointing all around the harbor, as his fellow sailors chuckled quietly.

Well, payback is a Bitch ! Our next (unscheduled) stop was the Submarine Base Memorial, dedicated to the Submarine Fleet in the Pacific. Inside that leftover aircraft hanger, encircling the entire roof line 3 1/2 times are little Japanese Flags. When I pointed out to their interpretor that those 239 flags signified an aircraft, ship or transport SUNK by the Submarine Fleet during the war, those chuckling faces turned quite somber.

Today, We Honor the Brave Men and Women who Fought and Died to Secure the Rights we have Today. Anchors, Away!

It's December 5th.

Does anyone actually READ my blog ? If Not, I'm wasting my time posting it.

If a Recovering Alcoholic falls in the woods, does anyone hear his cry for help ?

(Would SOMEONE PLEASE answer ! I'm the only one he gets to talk to, and he's driving me Ape-Shit!)

One year ago, on Monday, I was about 3 heartbeats from being DEAD ! Have you ever BEEN Dead ? I was as close as you want to get. For almost 3 more weeks, I was "Mostly Dead" I don't remember it. What I do remember is the week before Christmas, I was NOT DEAD. I didn't know where I was, where I had been and how long I had been there. So you can see how December has changed a little bit for me. It was the BEST Christmas of my LIFE ! I can only say that because the word LIFE is there.

"The Polar Express" was on TV tonight and, as usual, I am a sucker for the CLASSIC Christmas stories. This is definitely one, and I was unusually touched by the ending dialog this year. It goes as follows:

"At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them... Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.”

So I call it CHRISTMAS, but you may call it what you will. It's December and you're alive ! LIVE ! - CELEBRATE ! (and to all a Good Night!)

A Funny Thing, that Brain of Mine !

I Swear this to be true ! I had not yet seen the TV commercial about Johnny Depp's newest movie when I mentioned Sweeney Todd in the previous posting on this blog. The movie is a "Musical" adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim Broadway Musical of "Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" as I had earlier referenced. Coincidence - Who Knows ? (I just know that his teeth HURT like HELL !)

Stick a Fork in it... It's Done !

Well, another holiday is past and it's carcase is rotting in the local landfill. It now becomes a race to gain the most, while spending the least. It's in homage of the Almighty Dollar (or Euro, Franc, Yen or giant stone rings) that we spend to acquire all the stuff we "Gotta Have" or "Gotta Give" ! A friend told me this past week that they were not exchanging gifts, this year because "all the little ones were grown up" and that they would just share the Family Time. But don't worry, friends, there's still time to gaze in wonder at the extravagant decorations the retailers present, the Giant, inflatable globe with Styrofoam nuggets circulating around a Christmas Tree with Santa, his Reindeer and Sleigh, a Snowman, and several little people in pointy green hats and curly toed shoes. There is still time to remember the reason for the season. Check your Local TV Listings and sit down with the family and watch "Miracle on 34th Street" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and hug your kids when you hear Linus tell Charlie Brown:

Linus Van Pelt: "And there were, in the same country, shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And Lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were afraid. And the Angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born, in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'". That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

(And, not to forget those of the Hebrew faith, Jesus was a Jew)

Good Tidings of Great Joy !

I think I broke it !

Have you ever picked up a coffee cup, and the handle just came off... right in your hand? You didn't drop it, or bump it against anything, it just came right off ? Or maybe it was a knob on the radio, or a rubber band on something... you just touched it and it broke... all by itself ! Well, my Internal Emotional Stabilizer . . . just broke this evening. (That, or he's going through "MANopause")

I was laying on the couch after dinner, and it was quiet in the house. Mom was in her bedroom, reading, Dad was in the Jacuzzi on the patio and I was, very out of character for me, reading. Nothing Philosophical or meaningful, it was "Parade" magazine from the Sunday paper. The last thing I had read was about automating your home (blah, blah, blah). I finished and set the paper down. It had started me thinking about (now TRY to follow THIS thread) automation, how to communicate after my surgery, messages to my church choir, e-mail to my friends, communicating to anyone with a breath a breathing tube, how much I hated the catheter (still with him?) and then, suddenly my head went quiet for a nano-second {In "brain time" that's like forever}, then "Crack" (I swear, I HEARD it) and this wave of emotion flooded in and I started to cry.

I'm a MAN ! I have Man-parts. I Think like a Man. I like to look at Woman-parts, I LIKE Woman-parts. I like Women ! MEN don't cry. I know, I know, I know, but built into my brain is this thing that says "Men don't Cry" (I know better, I'm shutting up) I've cried before, but I always had a reason. That's Simple, Right. Reason to Cry = Cry. Then you feel better after you cry...eventually, right? I guessed that it was the "Crack in the Silence" that got me upset, but the more I think about it, it's the Silence that scared me. What the Hell is That?! I think I broke it.

Let's do the Time Warp Again...

Brain Check - 1-2-3, check-1-2-3. My watch says Nov. 14. So does my computer and my day planner. All of the Posting Dates on my blog are one week off, right? RIGHT ? ! (Don't mess with him... He'll snap ! He is right, right ?)

It's Sunday Noon

There's NO ONE on line - I have NOTHING to do - Even my Parents aren't home . . . At least there's NASCAR !

Whew ! I made it.

It turns out that I DID give myself more stress than the test did. (You Idiot !) Well, I've never done it before, what do you expect. The worst part was only the IV needle. Big Deal - Been there - Done that ! Gotta go to my Gastro now. I'll report in if there's any news.

Isn't the Test Enough Stress ?

I'm having a Chemical Stress Test tomorrow and it has me a little stressed out (oxymoronic, don't you think?) I have tried very hard to keep my blood pressure at a minimum to decrease the chances of having the same problem that put me in the hospital, but to make sure that I can physically handle the transplant surgery, they have to raise my blood pressure to test my heart. Now, I know that this is being done across the street from a hospital, but it's still frightening. I'm just plain NOT looking forward to this particular procedure. To me it sounds like "Russian Roulette" ! I'll keep you posted on the results. Wish me luck !

NOT 13 !

SORRY, had to post this quickly. I just noticed I was at 13 total Posting and we all know what 13 is ? (Ptth, Ptth, Ptth, throw salt over my shoulder, make the sign of the cross, don't let the cat sleep in my room, step over cracks in the sidewalk . . .) 14 - That's better !

When is it TMI ?

Greetings !

I have posted a blog entry almost every day for the last week and I am wondering when people will get tired of it? Please tell me to shut up if I become a bore !

Today was bearable as far as my pain level is concerned, although it tastes like I'm sucking on a nail from the iron in my blood. (Sorry-Gross!) I actually slept well, between the pain killer and sleeping pill, but not "narcotically", but more "exhausted" than anything else. How is it that "pain" makes you exhausted? I just typed that question into "Ask.com" and the first Item on the list was "A Practical Guide to Suicide" at "www.satanservice.org" Is that what the internet has become? I'm telling Al Gore ! Not to worry about me... I've worked WAY to hard to even think about THAT ! I'll just let the Dentist take care of that next Wednesday! (That Sadistic ^$*%^#@)

This is the story of Sweeney Todd...

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street ! As the legend goes, he was a 19th century barber/dentist in Europe who, upon the death of a patient, and later just for profit, would harvest the "meat" of his victims for sale in his "meat pies". Well, guess where I was today... that's right, the dentist. To be more specific, the Oral Surgeon, for the extraction of three broken and/or roots from broken teeth in my upper jaw. (The liver transplant requires a Dental Exam to ensure no cross infections from any other source.)

As I have previously mentioned, I am a BIG baby when it comes to tooth pain and dental work. This visit went as expected. The VA is, unfortunately (SADISTICALLY) , not using "twilight sleep" (happy gas) or any other method other than Novocain as an anesthetic. I'll leave the details out to spare the nerves of those who share my feelings about the dentist, but suffice it to say, it was NOT a pleasant experience (torture would have been better). It's not so much the work, as it is the Novocain shot (four, and two were in the roof of his mouth, that bastard!) Now it's a non-narcotic pain pill and penicillin till next Wednesday for three more extractions in the lower jaw. After that, it's cosmetic and the drill for repairs. FUN FOR ME ! I haven't been able to relax all afternoon or evening, but I feel "sleepy" creeping up on me, finally, so I'll take my leave and hope for sleep. Wish me luck.

It's everybody's non-pollutionary, anti-institutionary, pro-recovery factory of fun!

(Oh, CRAP ! He's gonna sing)

I never thought my life could be
Anything but catastrophe
But suddenly I begin to see
A bit of good luck for me.

I never had a chance to shine
Never a happy song to sing
But suddenly all the world is mine
What an amazing thing.

I never thought I'd see the day
When I would face the world and say
"Good morning, look at the sun."
But it could be done.

I never dreamed that I would climb
Over the moon in ecstasy
But nevertheless, it's there that I'm
Shortly about to be.

'Cause I've got a golden ticket
I've got a golden chance to make my way
And with a golden ticket
It's a Golden Day !

Story "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" - Roald Dahl
Music and Lyrics - Anthony Newley
Sung by - Jack Albertson as Uncle Joe
Meaning - Priceless !

(And God Bless Gene Wilder for his AMAZINGNESS)

No News is Not Always Good News

Hi everyone. Now that I'm dine waiting for my 1 Year Birthday, now I get wait for the transplant pre-testing procedures to progress (like watching grass grow). I had an appt. with my Transplant Coordinator (from here forward being referred to as "Xplant Co" or Ms. Donaldson) and we went through the next few things that need to be done. A couple more tests, including a Chemical Stress Test (anxiety over that one, sounds scary). Overall, a positive meeting...Moving Forward ! But no immediate news. Nothing scheduled yet.

In addition, I have to have a DENTAL Eval. This will not go well. I have at least 4 teeth that have fallen apart, lost their crowns and/or fillings or have noticeable problems (tombstones in an OLD graveyard) I have always had soft teeth, and have become a night grinder years ago, and a day grinder when I did drugs. It all becomes habit and doesn't go away when you stop. MEGA ANXIETY. I, like most people, HATE THE DENTIST. Not personally, but professionally. (He's a Baby in that chair, no tolerance for pain, that wimp !) So I have that to look forward to soon. I'm just gonna do it and get it over with. It'll be Dental Surgery, not teeth pulling, but there will be some cavity and fill work as well. But at least it will be done. (and he'll loose a little of that fat he's put on since he's been feeling better and eating)

A Year plus a Day, plus a Day, plus a Day...

I was reminded this afternoon, by a very good friend (who proofreads for him, or is it whom?) that it's O.K. to be Proud of an Achievement. That being the case, it's time to move forward, one day more, and repeat as many times as I can. It should be that simple, huh? (SURE, you go on thinkin like that... how far will we get ?) So I now set out on my trusty steed (a Kia Sportage?) to battle more Dragons (Windmills), in search for my Golden Helmet, (a shaving basin?) and my sweet Dulcinea (a redundant and REALLY LAME metaphor for his sobriety) ! For I am Doug Quixote, the Man of Las Vegas ! (and if you understood that, you've seen too many Musicals, too !)

F I N A L L Y - ! ! !

Well, it took me a year, but I finally did it ! I have been 100% Clean & Sober for ONE FULL YEAR ! I was greeted with much enthusiasm and envy by the group at the VA tonight. (Yeah, sure, but you brought cake, dumb shit) Yes, Phil, I brought Cake, but I wanted to celebrate. This little bronze disk that says "1" on it means a LOT to me. It means that I have been given the chance to move forward. It means that I have been sober long enough for other people to ask for my advice. I had people in class tonight asking "How" I did it, instead of "What" happened. I had people listen to me and a couple of guys talk to me after class to say things like "I understand, it was like that for me too. How did you...?" for the first time.

And, yet, part of me is feeling full of myself for accomplishing this. "Pride" is, after all, one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Can you learn that? Who remembers the Mac Davis Comedy Hit "Oh Lord, It's hard to be humble..." Well I'm certainly NOT perfect, but I guess I need to exercise my humility muscle. (WHAT Humility Muscle? You mean that fiber you have. You need to have something REAL to be humble about, first. Now, Practice !) O.K. - One, Two, Three...

I spent a week there one day

Well, Phil and I have been waiting a week for the last 48 hours to pass and it's just taking forever. Only 34 hours before I can officially stand up and say "I have been Clean and Sober for ONE FULL YEAR !" This is a milestone ! It's only the 1st milestone, but a milestone none the less. I couldn't be prouder if it were... well, ME ! Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick !

Antcipa___________tion

Greetings to all. Have you ever heard of the concept of "Slow Time" ? Scientists tell us that the passage of time is a constant; that one second takes exactly one second to pass. Every instrument that we have to measure this also concludes this to be true. Albert Einstein, however, theorizes this not to be true and that time is relative to the instrument used to measure it.

The most common example I can think of is being in a car accident, or a fall. I remember vivid details about my last fender bender. I remember pushing in the clutch, applying the brake, checking my mirrors to see if there were any cars in the way of my avoiding it, or if I was about to be rear-ended, tensing up, leaning back into the seat, steering to cause the least damage and looking at the passengers in the car I was about to hit...and I was only going about 10 mph. Then "Crunch", and time returned to normal. It seemed like 15-20 seconds, but it was actually only 2 or 3. Now, try this: Go into a quiet room, close the door, look at your watch, or a clock and then close your eyes and don't count. Try to stay like that for exactly 5 minutes. I'll bet you a dollar you can't get within 1 minute of exactly 5 minutes.

The point of this is that Phil and I are waiting till THURSDAY for One Year to be over. Phil is like a 4 yr. old walking with Daddy to the Snack Bar at the Drive-In, bouncing up and down 'cause he's gotta pee. (Does anyone remember Drive-Ins, or have you only seen them in old movies?) (Just get me 2 half-gallon bottles of Rum and a 2-Liter Pepsi and Thursday will be here in no time) Shut up, Phil. So, Hurry the Hell Up, Thursday ! 1 Year Clean & Sober gets me a 1 Year Brass AA Coin that, I'm told, if you want a drink, place it on your forehead and hit it as hard as you can with a bottle of rum, and you won't want a drink ('cause your unconscious) I'll make it !

An Apology from Doug's Liver

This is Phil, Doug's liver. He wants to say he's sorry for his rant last night. There are only a few people he considers to be his closest family and friends, and three of them are on their way to Iraq, including his closest friend. I think he has the right to be concerned and upset, considering his condition, not that it makes their decisions any different. They are doing what they have to do . . . so is Doug . . . he's caring. Let him be upset - it's good for him to vent the emotions. It relieves his stress. Just don't dismiss his feelings; they're just as real as yours.

In the Navy

In the military, we perform our duty, protect our country and do so with honor. We send our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines proudly. It is very hard to send our own family members, be they Husbands, Wives, Children or Friends. As family, we support them and their decisions to serve, but NO WHERE does it say that we have to be happy about it.

Well, I'm NOT happy about it right now. At this moment, my friend's husband is on his way to Iraq, my Brother-in-Law is getting ready to go to Iraq, and I just found out my Best Friend has volunteered to go to Iraq, AND I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT ! I support them all in their decision to serve, I will think and pray for them all every day, that they will return home to their families, and I am PROUD of all of them for their choice to serve our country: BUT I'M NOT HAPPY ! It's not their job to make me happy. (Just wait, though. I'm telling Phil)

Almost 1 year

Greetings from Phil and I. Some people are beginning to respond to having read my blog. Thank You. I'd love for you to leave a "Hello" to let me know you've seen it, but an e-mail is fine. I'm curious to see if anyone figures out why I named my liver "Phil" Send in your guesses.

As many of you know, November 1st is my 1 year anniversary. The AA group I attend gives a brass coin for yearly anniversaries. I'll scan the coin and post the pic on the site next week. It's kind of strange to think that since my sophomore year in HS, this will be the longest I've ever gone without a drink, smoke or something else. (I think he should celebrate with a big, fat glass of ice cold Bacardi Gold and a cigar but he won't let me) I'll just have a cake !

Subscription

It's Sunday, Oct. 23rd and I've just sent out a request for for subscribers to my blog. I'm not sure how this works, so we'll see if people can get on to see it and bookmark it. Best of luck and please send me an email to my "dougcoutts@yahoo.com" if it works. Thanks !

Curious Doug and the Liver Transplant

Hi, My name is Curious Doug, and this is my Liver, Phil. I'm sorry for the font I had to use here, my blog is limited to the simple 7 they have given me. I would have chosen one much less formal, and more whimsical. You'll understand soon.



This blog is intended for me to chronical, and sometimes vent the thoughts, emotions and frustrations I will be going through during this Liver transplant. Phil, my Liver, will have occasional comments with technical data and irrational rants, much in the way that the typewriter wrote in Ian Rand's "Still Life with Woodpecker" (You'll know when it's Phil talking).

It's October 18th, 2007 and in 12 days I will be ONE YEAR OLD ! This may not seem like a big deal, but if you consider all the way back to my Junior year in "High School" (1979) that's the longest I've ever gone without a drink, drug or cigarette, and here, cigarettes don't count. That would make it, roughly, 27 years. Now, I know there are "Old Timers" in some of my AA meetings who'll say, "I've been sober almost that long". My rebuttal to that is "Frickin Great ! Teach me how you did it" Just don't dismiss me for only being 1 yr. old. I've done drugs you've never even heard of. (Try Absenth on a sugar cube, light it and hold it on your tongue till the burn makes you swallow it, whole and on fire)

So, the point of today is to get this ball rolling, introduce you to Phil, (Phil: Sorry about my complection, I've let myself go lately) and to start a sort of Journal of my transplant and recovery. It is as much for me as it is for my friends to know how I am, and for strangers to kind of know "How it was for ME". I promise that, although portions of this blog may be hidden under a pile of shit, it will ALWAYS be the truth. I will never lie in this blog.

I wish you well and hope you will return the same. For those who pray, say one for me when you read these. The next time you read this, cinch up your belt, get a strong cup of coffee, place your seat backs in the fully upright position and be prepared for "Curious Doug and the Liver Transplant" (Phil: It's not pretty)