Things are looking good!

I just got home from another check-up in Philly and the doctors said that although I may not feel it, I am doing as well as they could ask. My blood work is consistent, I don't have any swelling in my abdomen or feet and I am still considered to be pretty active. The only problem that has come up recently is a decrease in my appetite. I am conscious of when I should eat so luckily I haven't lost any weight. I was also told that last year they preformed 61 heart transplants which was a new record for them and they've already done four in 2011!

Calling All "O's"

I also know that people have asked if they could donate blood so it would be available when the time came for me to get my new heart. I looked into it and met with the Blood Donation Center at HUP and they said that a Direct Donation would be possible. I got the appropriate paperwork filled out and found out that I only four units of blood! You can donate at any Red Cross location and it well get sent down to the Hospital in Philly and stored for when I need it. The blood can only be stored for 35 days but the good news is that my doctors said people can donate for me NOW! That pretty much means that I will be getting my new heart very, VERY soon. How it works is any Type O blood can donate for me. It does not matter if you are O positive or 0 negative. They just take one unit of blood and it only takes about 15 minutes. If you want to donate please let me know and I can give you the information and the tags for you to use when you donate.

"A Heart On For Bryan"

My brother's coworker has decided to throw a benefit for me on February 10th to help raise money for my medical and travel expenses. If I'm not mistaken, they are also planning a second event since so many people have already showed an interest in this one. Here's the information:

"A Heart On for Bryan"

a Vaudeville/Burlesque Show

A benefit show for Bryan Indergrund.

Presented by the White Elephant Burlesque Society

February 10th, 2011 at Piano's Bar & Grill

36 Broad St.

Bloomfield, NJ 07003

Doors open at 7pm

Show starts at 8:30pm

Admission is $15

All tips and donations the Troupe collects will go to Bryan for medical and travel expenses. The Bar will donate 10% of sales for the evening as well. There will be Heart related crafts for sale and live music before the show! For more information or to donate your time or talents, please contact Regina Oldham-Licata at rjolicata@gmail.com.

That's all the news for now. Again, thanks to everyone who continues to support me through all of this. I don't know how to show how grateful I am for everything you do.