Wisconsin was where Mike’s life was saved, literally, so we’re extremely thankful for Annie, our hero. Because of Annie’s desire to be an organ donor, I have a husband today; my kids have a father; and we’re on this trip around the United States talking to others about the importance of signing up to be organ/tissue donors.
Of course, we're thankful for their delicious Wisconsin cheese, too!
Along with occasional cheesiness, here are some highlights from WI:
Most Beautiful Place: Madison. We’re biased, though. Mike received his transplant there, so it will always hold a special place in our hearts. Having said that, it is a beautiful city with all the lakes, parks, and trails.
Best Tourist Spot: Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packer’s football stadium. It was the thing to do in Green Bay. The kid’s exhibit in the museum was temporarily closed. Rather than paying a bunch of money and boring the kids, we went to the Kids Zone, which is really a fancy name for an arcade. The football themed action games were a lot of fun, though!
Best Drive: Driving through the country side, seeing the rolling hills and the classic farms with their red barns and silos dotting the horizon.
Best Meal: Bluephie’s in Madison. We have a lot of memories there. This was the first restaurant we went to after Mike was released from the hospital post transplant surgery
. We liked the food and have gone back every year when we’re in town for his yearly appointment. We even had lunch there the first time we met Annie’s family.
Classic meets eclectic is the only way I can describe Bluephie’s. They take classic foods, like meatloaf, quesadillas, and mac and cheese, and reinvent them. We love their tomato basil soup and their warm bread with sun-dried tomato butter. I could eat just those two things and be completely happy, but then again why not get something new too.
Worst Meal: Cousins Subs in Milwaukee. This was our first experience at a Cousins Subs. Their slogan is “Better Breads. Better Subs,” which is a good slogan, but it seemed just that – a slogan. We thought their bread and subs were boring, basically meat and cheese on chewy bread. In addition, this location seemed a bit run down, albeit clean. Nothing was horrible, just not what we hoped for with better breads and better subs.
Biggest Twinge of Homesickness: Seeing family and friends that came up to visit us. It was wonderful seeing them but difficult leaving them!
Biggest Surprise: That the competition at fairs is so fierce, that kids spray paint their animals in order to win! We were perusing a cattle building at the WI State Fair and were shocked to see a lad using a can of spray paint to achieve a nice, glossy hue on his heifer. We actually had to do a double take because we couldn’t believe it. When we took out our camera to capture it, the paint can suddenly disappeared. I’m shocked PETA hasn’t stepped in yet.
Worst Closure: Nothing was closed since it was summer, but so many times our tone of voice closes down communication in our family, so it seemed appropriate to write about our struggle and attempt to solve it. This problem seems to have escalated with us being around each other 24/7 in such close quarters! A snippy answer, a bad tone, and a grumpy attitude can all close down communication between us. We just shouldn’t be where we are today: so blessed with a healthy husband and father and on this amazing trip and be disrespectful with each other. One night during Bible study, we decided together that when one of us replies rudely, the offended family member politely says, “Code Red” in order to diffuse and redo the comment. Our Code Red alerts have been going well, not perfect of course, but we have seen improvement in this area.
Best News: Mike had his yearly checkup while we were in Madison, and he’s doing great!
Worst News: While at his doctor appointment at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Mike learned that the computer systems had been changed so that the government can get its little fingers on our health information much easier. It will be interesting to see what happens to UW’s excellence and efficiency as they follow the governmental mandates. It's too bad because they had the most efficient hospital system we've seen, and they were notably slower at this appointment…
Biggest Disappointment: Not being able to be part of the Transplant Games. We arrived in Madison in time for the Closing Ceremony of the 2010 Transplant Games and enjoyed the video montage of the games to see what we missed and all the bonding that took place. Someone from the National Kidney Foundation came on stage and asked if everyone had a good time. The roar from the crowd was astounding! It was clear the games were an incredible experience, and we’re sorry we missed it.
Biggest Revelation: People love free stuff! The WI State Fair Donate Life booth volunteers had a great system. The sign hanging behind the booth said to show them your dot on your license and see what they’ve got. While we were volunteering, the booth was constantly busy with people showing their orange dot, getting signed up for Wisconsin’s new registry, and receiving their freebie. We barely had time to chat with the volunteers to find out how Lynn created comfort shawls for grieving families to take home from the hospital, because she remembered that feeling of going home empty after her son’s death. She has since created a group that knits these shawls for area families. They were asked to make one for each donor family present at the 2010 Transplant Games. What a project, but they came through making over 2,000 shawls!
Cutest Memory: After booking a deal on Hotwire, we arrived at our first Crowne Plaza hotel in Milwaukee. The TV screen welcomed us with, “Welcome Mike!” and there was a nice bag lying on the bed with earplugs, an eye mask, and lavender linen spray inside. Chloe snatched it up, and at bedtime, started spraying lavender everywhere and donned her mask as she lay down to sleep. She was so cute!
Saddest Memory: At the free continental breakfast one morning, a lady came over to us and started talking because she noticed the Donate Life t-shirts we were wearing. She was in town for her brother’s funeral, who had died suddenly. He was a donor, and they just received a letter informing the family that he helped over 60 people! It was obviously comforting to her to know that he helped so many people. To have that information for the family in time for the funeral service is awesome, a real testimony to the hard work of the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO).
Best Memory: Meeting some great people. We gave a presentation at WDOT in Madison and were able to meet Dena. Dena worked for the OPO and was the very person who talked to Annie’s family about donating her organs. Fortunately, Annie and her mom had previously talked about organ donation, so they were aware of her wishes. It gave me goose bumps to meet Dena!
We also met Mary Nachreiner, the mother of Kelly who is the namesake for Kelly’s Law in Wisconsin. Kelly died from injuries sustained in a car accident four weeks after receiving her driver’s license. Her law mandates 30 minutes of organ donation instruction in WI driver’s education classes, and it singlehandedly has increased that age group’s donor sign ups. What a wonderful thing to teach in school!
Lastly, although we first met Annie’s family years ago, we were able to spend time with some of them after the presentation. We had a nice lunch together and even learned the secret to Bruce’s apple caramel pecan pie. You can bet I’ll be making that next fall when I have an oven again, and Mike will be putting Annie’s pancreas into overdrive!
My WI Hike: Sadly, we were only able to visit some of the bigger cities in Wisconsin, so we didn’t have an opportunity to go hiking.
What We Did Miss: Wisconsin Dells, Dodgeville, House on the Rock, and so much more recommended to us.
In Summary: Wisconsin, you’re a life-saver to us, and we're so thankful! That may sound cheesy, but it's true.
Most Beautiful Place: Madison. We’re biased, though. Mike received his transplant there, so it will always hold a special place in our hearts. Having said that, it is a beautiful city with all the lakes, parks, and trails.
Best Tourist Spot: Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packer’s football stadium. It was the thing to do in Green Bay. The kid’s exhibit in the museum was temporarily closed. Rather than paying a bunch of money and boring the kids, we went to the Kids Zone, which is really a fancy name for an arcade. The football themed action games were a lot of fun, though!
Best Drive: Driving through the country side, seeing the rolling hills and the classic farms with their red barns and silos dotting the horizon.
Best Meal: Bluephie’s in Madison. We have a lot of memories there. This was the first restaurant we went to after Mike was released from the hospital post transplant surgery
. We liked the food and have gone back every year when we’re in town for his yearly appointment. We even had lunch there the first time we met Annie’s family.Classic meets eclectic is the only way I can describe Bluephie’s. They take classic foods, like meatloaf, quesadillas, and mac and cheese, and reinvent them. We love their tomato basil soup and their warm bread with sun-dried tomato butter. I could eat just those two things and be completely happy, but then again why not get something new too.
Worst Meal: Cousins Subs in Milwaukee. This was our first experience at a Cousins Subs. Their slogan is “Better Breads. Better Subs,” which is a good slogan, but it seemed just that – a slogan. We thought their bread and subs were boring, basically meat and cheese on chewy bread. In addition, this location seemed a bit run down, albeit clean. Nothing was horrible, just not what we hoped for with better breads and better subs.
Biggest Twinge of Homesickness: Seeing family and friends that came up to visit us. It was wonderful seeing them but difficult leaving them!
Biggest Surprise: That the competition at fairs is so fierce, that kids spray paint their animals in order to win! We were perusing a cattle building at the WI State Fair and were shocked to see a lad using a can of spray paint to achieve a nice, glossy hue on his heifer. We actually had to do a double take because we couldn’t believe it. When we took out our camera to capture it, the paint can suddenly disappeared. I’m shocked PETA hasn’t stepped in yet.
Worst Closure: Nothing was closed since it was summer, but so many times our tone of voice closes down communication in our family, so it seemed appropriate to write about our struggle and attempt to solve it. This problem seems to have escalated with us being around each other 24/7 in such close quarters! A snippy answer, a bad tone, and a grumpy attitude can all close down communication between us. We just shouldn’t be where we are today: so blessed with a healthy husband and father and on this amazing trip and be disrespectful with each other. One night during Bible study, we decided together that when one of us replies rudely, the offended family member politely says, “Code Red” in order to diffuse and redo the comment. Our Code Red alerts have been going well, not perfect of course, but we have seen improvement in this area.
Best News: Mike had his yearly checkup while we were in Madison, and he’s doing great!
Worst News: While at his doctor appointment at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Mike learned that the computer systems had been changed so that the government can get its little fingers on our health information much easier. It will be interesting to see what happens to UW’s excellence and efficiency as they follow the governmental mandates. It's too bad because they had the most efficient hospital system we've seen, and they were notably slower at this appointment…
Biggest Disappointment: Not being able to be part of the Transplant Games
. We arrived in Madison in time for the Closing Ceremony of the 2010 Transplant Games and enjoyed the video montage of the games to see what we missed and all the bonding that took place. Someone from the National Kidney Foundation came on stage and asked if everyone had a good time. The roar from the crowd was astounding! It was clear the games were an incredible experience, and we’re sorry we missed it.Biggest Revelation: People love free stuff! The WI State Fair Donate Life booth volunteers had a great system. The sign hanging behind the booth said to show them your dot on your license and see what they’ve got. While we were volunteering, the booth was constantly busy with people showing their orange dot, getting signed up for Wisconsin’s new registry, and receiving their freebie. We barely had time to chat with the volunteers to find out how Lynn created comfort shawls for grieving families to take home from the hospital, because she remembered that feeling of going home empty after her son’s death. She has since created a group that knits these shawls for area families. They were asked to make one for each donor family present at the 2010 Transplant Games. What a project, but they came through making over 2,000 shawls!
Cutest Memory: After booking a deal on Hotwire, we arrived at our first Crowne Plaza hotel in Milwaukee. The TV screen welcomed us with, “Welcome Mike!” and there was a nice bag lying on the bed with earplugs, an eye mask, and lavender linen spray inside. Chloe snatched it up, and at bedtime, started spraying lavender everywhere and donned her mask as she lay down to sleep. She was so cute!
Saddest Memory: At the free continental breakfast one morning, a lady came over to us and started talking because she noticed the Donate Life t-shirts we were wearing. She was in town for her brother’s funeral, who had died suddenly. He was a donor, and they just received a letter informing the family that he helped over 60 people! It was obviously comforting to her to know that he helped so many people. To have that information for the family in time for the funeral service is awesome, a real testimony to the hard work of the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO).
Best Memory: Meeting some great people. We gave a presentation at WDOT in Madison and were able to meet Dena. Dena worked for the OPO and was the very person who talked to Annie’s family about donating her organs. Fortunately, Annie and her mom had previously talked about organ donation, so they were aware of her wishes. It gave me goose bumps to meet Dena!
We also met Mary Nachreiner, the mother of Kelly who is the namesake for Kelly’s Law in Wisconsin. Kelly died from injuries sustained in a car accident four weeks after receiving her driver’s license. Her law mandates 30 minutes of organ donation instruction in WI driver’s education classes, and it singlehandedly has increased that age group’s donor sign ups. What a wonderful thing to teach in school!
Lastly, although we first met Annie’s family years ago, we were able to spend time with some of them after the presentation. We had a nice lunch together and even learned the secret to Bruce’s apple caramel pecan pie. You can bet I’ll be making that next fall when I have an oven again, and Mike will be putting Annie’s pancreas into overdrive!
My WI Hike: Sadly, we were only able to visit some of the bigger cities in Wisconsin, so we didn’t have an opportunity to go hiking.
What We Did Miss: Wisconsin Dells, Dodgeville, House on the Rock, and so much more recommended to us.
In Summary: Wisconsin, you’re a life-saver to us, and we're so thankful! That may sound cheesy, but it's true.
The Mom
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