It is hard to believe that six months ago, Pop was an active, happy, healthy man.  

He golfed, ran three miles every day (when the weather co-operated), went to the mall to do his walking exercise, and visited friends in the nursing home.  Then he got a virus which attacked his heart, and now he is fighting to stay alive.  Doctors say that he is in need of a heart transplant.  It's that serious.

Now Pop sits in the livingroom (sleeps there too; he can't lie down flat without gasping for breath), a shell of his former self.  He has lost a bunch of weight and is pale, weak, and always seems to be sick with one thing or another.

It is hard to see Pop like this.  I wish there was something to help him.  He seems depressed all the time (who can blame him?) and it hurts my heart.  He can no longer work; he's been trying to get on assistance, which has been nothing but a huge hassle for him and my mom.  My friends remember Pop the way he used to be; they act as if he has AIDS or some other terminal disease; they don't like coming over to my place 'cause seeing my old man the way he is only upsets them.

Well, how do they think it makes ME feel??  I remember Pop taking me on fishing or hunting trips or taking the family to Elitche's Gardens here in Denver; now he can't even do that.  The only places he seems to go anymore are to doctor's appointments or to the hospital whenever his heart or breathing act up.

If he doesn't get a new heart within six months he will be dead.  I don't want to lose my father; he and I share a very close relationship and it would just kill me to see him die.  Please say some prayers that a new heart is found before it is too late; time is of the essence!

~To be continued!~