Posted in: Ana & Isa's Blog | By Ana

It’s been a wet weekend of rainy showers. I hope all my local friends are keeping safe despite flooding and power outages. Although N.California needs the rain, I realize it can reek havoc on many things.   Speaking of showers, I was showered with surprise love this weekend. Isa made some fictitious plans on Friday night stating that she would pick me up from work to take me to a Sharks game (hockey) because she received free tickets. Instead, she arrived at my work with my two high school friends – Sally and Nancy- who flew up from LA and Seattle, respectively. They hid in a work conference room, and had our office assistant tell me at 4:50 pm that there was a patient here to see me.  I entered the conference room to hear Isa, Sally and Nancy scream “ SURPRISE!”.

 A few months ago, Nancy had asked if I was planning a bridal shower. I had said “no” so they planned a secret shower. I was “kidnapped” from work and, after a stop at home to pick up my meds, and some anxiety about leaving my computer and never ending “shit-to-do list” behind,  we headed north for a girl’s weekend away. It was such a surprise to see my dear girlfriends who came all the way from S. Cal and Seattle. For the past several years, we have enjoyed an annual traditional “girls weekend away” with Sally and Nancy at least once a year.  

For the entire weekend , I was showered  with two nights in a hotel, wonderful meals in Sonoma (they eat really well there), gifts and most importantly, friendship, love and support.  They refused to allow me to pay for anything, leaving me feeling spoiled and guilty.  We spent Friday night in Mill Valley, at an eclectic modern hotel called the Acqua Hotel, and then spent Saturday morning driving through Bodega Bay and visiting the Children’s Bell Tower, a bronze monument located on the coast of Bodega Bay. The Bell Tower was a memorial established in memory of Nicolas Green, a seven year old boy who was killed by highway robbers in Italy in 1994. His family donated his organs to 7 Italians, in an act that publicized the generous act of organ donation internationally. Since the Green family was from Bodega Bay, several Italian churches  donated bells to the family. As a result, a monument was erected in Nicolas’ honor. In 2007, we were invited by Nicolas’ father, Reg Green, to hang a bell there too , in honor of our donors.  The last time I visited there was when I was in rejection.  So it was great to go back, in good health with Isa, and to see the bell erected high up there on that monument, in honor of Xavier , James and my second donor.

After visiting the Bell Tower despite rain, we headed to downtown Petaluma, where we enjoyed Thai food for lunch and strolled among boutiques and quaint shops. In the afternoon, we headed to Sonoma, which is the southern part of the famous Northern California’s wine country. We saw gorgeous vineyards and strolled in the lovely downtown square area with nice shops and restaurants. I was indulged with a gourment meal of fine cheese at a restaurant called “The Girl and the Fig.” Although I am not a wine drinker due to a sulfur allergy, I enjoyed watching Sally and Isa sip away (Nancy and I refrained.)

The following morning, we enjoyed another gourmet breakfast at another Sonoma favorite, “The Harvest Moon” restaurant. I ate beef bruchetta on traditional bread with melted guyere (sp?) cheese, beet greens, topped with two sunnyside up eggs. It was absolutely mouth watering, and was even gut- friendly. We then strolled the dainty shops of Sonoma’s downtown. We went wine tasting (I tolerated only a few sips) and olive oil testing . What opulence! I couldn’t help but feel incredibly guilty that we were having such a carefree, comfortable time in the most indulgent wealthy areas of the Bay Area, while thousands of people were completely miserable and suffering in Haiti. How could things be more unfair?

We drove by barren vineyards blooming out of vivid yellow mustard seed flowers and green grass,  rolling over smooth hills with a forest backdrop. It was absolutely gorgeous. The landscape of wine country always reminds me of being in Europe, yet we are so close to home. In some farms there were sheep tending their newborn young lambs. It felt like spring is just around the corner.

 Most valuable was the friendship and conversation we shared. We spoke about our jobs, partners, our immigrant families, hopes and dreams.  I received invaluable advice on wedding planning and marriage since they are much more experienced than me.  I have known Isa since birth (of course), Sally since elementary school and Nancy since high school. Having such long-term girlfriends and a sister with whom I can share anything truly makes life richer and more meaningful. I felt so blessed.  These are the types of friendships that promote health and longevity in women according to those social support studies in the medical literature.

After a few stops at wineries watching Isa and Sally get buzzed, we headed back to San Francisco ( I drove) to watch our friends depart back home. It was a special weekend, completely impromptu, and a true getaway.  I would call anyone who has friends like this truly blessed and I thank God for bringing them into my life.

The only thing I didn’t do this weekend was exercise. I think I lost my exercise mojo as I have little interest or motivation. I never realized how easy it is not to exercise. Training for the Transplant Games seems like more of a burden than a desire.  My lung capacity on Friday’s clinic visit dropped so I am scheduled for another pulmonary function test on Wed. If it continues to be low, I will have a bronchoscopy on Wed. I pray this is nothing but I do know that my lungs have felt different since last summer and I have more limitations with energy. I hope and pray things will be okay.  I am too busy to get sick!

I will keep you all posted. Thank you for those of you who faithfully follow the blog. I hope you too , had a nice Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. In his honor , I want to share that I was reading his book, “Strength to Love” last week, and he couldn’t be more right in many of his words. We all need strength to love, to connect and to share our humanity. I truly was honored with that love this weekend by my girlfriends and Isa , and  I thank them from the bottom of my blessed heart and lungs.
Ana Stenzel