In times like this, it is so good to hear positive news for a change.
And, a friend of ours –Mike Hopkins– just received that news, thanks to a liver transplant he underwent last Monday at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
“It was a live donor transplant,” he informed me via a text message on Sunday as I write this. “I’m supposed to be released tomorrow, if all my blood count numbers are good.”
He admits he gets tired a lot but look what he’s been through.
“It will get better,” he said. ”I’m doing really well. I’m uncomfortable. I have 90-some stitches and staples in my stomach. But it shouldn’t be no time, I’ll be fine.”
When Mike told me it was a live donor transplant I had to Google that one.
Here is what I found out: “Live donor transplant is a surgical procedure where a living person donates a kidney, or a part of their liver, to a recipient who needs it. This process bypasses the long wait for a deceased organ donor and offers benefits like better short- and long-term survival rates for the recipient. Living donors undergo extensive medical and psychosocial evaluations to ensure they are healthy and compatible, and the donor’s medical costs are typically covered by the recipient’s insurance.“
I hope and pray all goes well, Mike. It’s really not my call, but you’re a fighter and deserve to keep on keeping on. Penny and other members of your family are lucky to have you. Take care in your recovery.
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The Bryant Byers Memorial Race to 21 is planning a cornhole tournament this coming Saturday, the 20th, at Skinner’s Barn, 11450 State Route 185 Bradford. Registration is at 8 a.m. and starting time is 10 a.m.
Those interested are urged to grab a partner or come solo, and organizers will match you up. All skill levels are welcome to this family-friendly event. Registration fee is $10 prior to the event per person and $15 the day of the event per person. Spots are limited.
Cash prizes are being awarded to the top teams. Featured will be raffles, tip boards, bake sale, food, drinks and music, not to mention fun.
To pre-register, send information to: Byerscholarshipfund@gmail.com. For questions or to donate prizes, call 937-621-1214.
Bryant died Oct. 3, 2020 at the age of 21. I worked with his maternal grandfather, the late Glen Murphy, for at least 20 years at the daily newspaper. Brian is the son of Brian and Angela (Murphy) Byers.
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Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of: David Dwight Griffin, Susan Hartrum, Kellie Best, Paul Boyer and Barbara Everhart Fraley,
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Please pray for Barbara Alexander, Mike Hopkins, Don Rhoades, Susan Fourman Voke, Jason Bowers, Dave Brewer, Clarence “Sam” Wilker, Chuck Cruze, Vicki Wilker Gibson, John Gibson, Roan Brubaker, Vic Bothast, Tom Brewer, Todd Anderson, Dawn Dilworth, Carol Schuh, Sunni Jones, Eddie Anjos, Gloria Hodge, Ralph Byrd, Jeff Brocious, Norma Kretschmar, Beth Davis, Terry Overbay, Michelle Young, Terry “T.A.” Anthony, Jason Kelch, Katie Cothran, Lynne Bruner Hinshaw, Tom Everhart, Donn Thornhill, Carissa Rodriguez, Kevin Christman, Ivan Christian, Roger Fleckenstein, Bob Jackson, Penny Hopkins, Sherry Lawrence, Jerry Gower,Kierra Reichert, Evelyn Manning, Becky Shultz, Kevin Schlechty, Darla Printz Whittaker, Sandy Partin, Sandy Gunckle, Tonya Kelly, Robert Christman, Bob Christian, Linda Johnston, Terri Hunt, Patricia Maier, Ken Wombold, Dan Lockhart, Delores Beisner, Jodi Gilpin Snyder, Charlie Bulcher, Charlyee Severance, Justin Fritz, DeWayne Yohey, Katrina Hoening, Kara Didier, Carl Francis, Craig “Cheese” Thompson, Bridget Brown, Don DeBord, Otis Stewart, Slug Midlam, Bob Peters, Judy Collins, Linda Gasper, Carol Hemmerich, Roberta Hall, Kelly Kelch, Mike Mayse, Nikole Baldridge, Mark Lovejoy, Judy York, Connie Stachler, Randy Heck, Ronnie Norton David Pretzman, Clinton Randall, Bruce Kaiser, Amanda Mote, Doug Whittington, Neal Gray, Randy Garrison, Kathy Gragorace, Donna Bixler, Cathy Melling and all others who are suffering from other life-altering illnesses.
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Happy birthday:
Sept. 16 to Mike Fourman, Seth Young, Scott Langston and Shirley Grilliot.
Sept. 17 to Jerry Turner, Theresa Billenstein, Schanda Black, Jim Surber and Linda Stachler.
Sept. 18 to JJ Riffell, Marc Erwin, Nikki Phillips, Brenda Burns, Pam Hierholzer and Tony Ruble.
Sept. 19 to Cortney Moody Bulcher, Ryan Shook, Annette Riffell-Miller, Linda Miller Budde, Brittani Holt and Debbie Labig.
Sept. 20 to Darla Miller, Vickie Marker, Gene Clouse, Krisann Frank, Alma May, Irene Rismiller, Joe Miller Jr., and PJ McCleskey.
Sept. 21 to Rick Moody, Paula Cox, Chad Lehman, Bruce Kaiser, Larry Campbell, Michelle Fourman, Becky George, Logan George, Jack Smith, Teresa Smith and Justin Sharp.
Sept. 22 to Nelson Rismiller, Rodney Christman, Becky Martin and Pam Bailey.
Happy anniversary to: Rick and Deb Rose on Sept 16; Dallas and Gina Ferguson on Sept. 18; Edna and Delbert Fourman and Eric and Kristen Fee, all on Sept. 19; and Bradley and Kimberlee (Fourman) Freeman on Sept. 22.
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Think about it: “Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others. ”–Danny Thomas
