July 13, 2008 - 9:36 AM: July 12 & 13th � Let the Games Begin!

July 12 & 13th � Let the Games Begin!

Hey there everyone! Long time no chat! It�s your sit in journal poster Melissa broadcasting live from the 2008 US Transplant Games in Pittsburgh PA. You didn�t expect to find me here did you? Ha ha� Neither did Dad! My husband Jim and I flew in last night approx 7 pm and made it in time to surprise Dad at the Opening Ceremonies which began at 7:30 pm. We worked through Dad�s �wife� Frank (grin, we will let Dad explain that one!) to pull it off. We walked in just as the teams were lining up to enter the stage at the David L Lawrence Convention center. I was able to figure out how position ourselves so he would see us as Team Connecticut walked by. As the team walked by we screamed George! George! He looked around kind of confused and then looked right at us. He squinted very hard but it took him walking right up to us before he could put 2 and 2 together because we all know how well his vision is :-). Ohhhh he was so excited! He gave us both a huge hug and called Frank some teasing names because Frank knew and didn�t squeal.

Today we are off to the pool at Carnegie Mellon University to catch Dad swim in 4 events. I�ll update you a little later but I at least wanted to touch base for now to let you know that we�re here and there will be pictures and videos to come!

Stay Tuned!

Go Team Connecticut! Go Geo!
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So Jim and I got to the Carnegie Mellon University about 11 this morning. Dad was a bundle of anxious nerves. His first event was the 50 meter breast stroke. He looked strong and had nice form :-).



His second event was the 50 meter freestyle. Unfortunately I didn�t realize it was so soon after his first event. We had stepped away to eat some lunch and missed all the excitement! Apparently after his 50 meter freestyle (which he said he felt really good doing) he made friends with a woman named Kimberly from team Illinois. She had a heart transplant 14 months ago and was bound and determined to compete in this year�s games. After her transplant she suffered some set backs which affected her and she seemed a little unsteady. Dad talked quickly made friends with her and when it came time for her event she asked if he would help her. He helped her to her lane (oddly enough lane 6. Still the number 6 keeps popping up!) and she handed him her glasses. I guess after she took her glasses off she needed some help getting in the right position and getting ready. Dad got her in position and when she began to have doubts about her event he encouraged her by saying that her donor was here watching. That gave her all the encouragement she needed to dive right in. She made it all the way down to one end of the pool, she made the turn and about � way back she kind of stopped. She had run out of breath and she was beginning to sink. Now the pool area is congested and loud. There are hundreds of people watching and cheering. At that moment Dad said it was surreal. All he could do focus on was her. Without even a thought he dove in and swam like heck to her. He helped her back to the surface. Apparently she caught her breath and said I�m fine but would you stay with me? He swam next to her all the way to the finish line encouraging her that she could do it. And she made it! He said that moment made the whole day and was one of the best experiences he has had since he�s been transplanted.



The third event was the 200m swim relay. Geo, Sandy, Pete and Matt made up the Team CT swim relay team. All four swam their hearts out and it paid off. They won a bronze!



The swim relay was the last event of the day. After there was an awards ceremony where they passed out the medals to all the athletes that placed in the swim events. After such and eventful day we were hungry! I think at one time or another we have watched Lidia�s Italy on public television�? She has her own restaurant in Pittsburgh and well that�s where we had dinner. It was awesome! It was such a perfect ending to such a perfect day. After dinner we went to check out the scenery. We walked down to where the 3 rivers, the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio Rivers meet. Pittsburgh is really a neat city. When you drive down the parkway from the airport it seems uneventful and you wonder what is the deal with this place? Then you enter this long tunnel and when you pop out the other side the view is just unreal�.breath taking. There is a lot of interesting architecture. We are staying at the William Penn Omni hotel. It is the oldest hotel in the city. Remember the movie Silence of the Lambs? Remember the scene where Anthony Hopins is locked up in the spooky cell in the basement? Well apparently that was filmed in the basement of this hotel! They don�t allow us to go down that far (I�d think I�d be too scared to go down there anyway!) so I don�t have pics to share of that. But here are a few pics that we took today�.

Tomorrow is Track & Field day where Dad will compete in the shot-put and discus. We�ll get to see how well Coach Davey�s training has paid off .



For now, we�re going to get some shut eye. It�s been fun. Stay tuned for more fun tomorrow! Go Team Connecticut! ILYBG.

Your sit in journal poster,



Melissa

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