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Highlands Today

On Father's Day

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Robert Armstrong

Published: June 15, 2008

This is a letter I received for Father's Day a few years back from my son, who was waiting for and received a lung transplant at the Ohio State Medical Center. He refers to himself as Number One Son, since he is the only son.

Dear Dad,

I love you and I know I'm number one son. The best times of my life were with you, hunting in the woods, and I thank God for letting me enjoy them with you.

Now I am in a fight for my life and I have always played my best, and worked my hardest, always never learning to lose. I don't know how to be normal, my attitude is and always has been, never let up and give 100 percent. I have competed with the attitude that I'm the best. You have to have that feeling that you are going to win or you don't have a chance.

I'm fighting the odds, but I still don't think I can be beat. Death is up to God, next year I will be able to climb the hill behind the cam and look over the water. I'm kind of looking forward to competing in the Transplant Olympics, knowing I will win.

Well have a good Father's Day, see ya soon. Love Bobby.

This attitude and strength has been carried for years. Bobby, when in the Navy, was severely injured with crushing injuries to his face, and was hospitalized at the Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego, Calif.

Bobby was in the naval hospital for over a year. Now, after several set backs at Ohio State Medical Center, including being prepped and postponed, then the transplant team almost lost him during surgery. Bobby is fighting several other serious medical problems from the rejection medications he is taking. the medications have effected his kidneys and he is now on dialysis. He also is a diabetic and gives himself insulin shots.

Bobby is a fighter no doubt, but rejection medications are now causing big growths on his cheek and ear. The growths were surgically removed but have since come back even worse than before. He also has small growths.

What can you say but "Why Bobby God?" I can say that I have never seen anything like this. I always thought those with a transplant would live and enjoy life. Stop taking the medication might cross ones mind, but Bobby has been told that he wouldn't live too long afterwards. He has been offered pain management, but he knows what happens. He doesn't want that. With Father's Day coming up, you hate to know one of your own is going through so much pain and suffering. God knows though having suffered himself.

Bobby's attitude is, I can stand the pain, at least I know I'm alive.

This outlook and strength has kept him going and keeps his Ohio State Medical Center transplants team in awe. Everyone enjoy Father's Days. Be glad to wake up on the green side of the grass.

Robert Armstrong
Sebring

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