Bring On The Sunshine!

I know I haven't been blogging like I should, but I have been too busy spending time with my two babies, Joey and Andy. I have pretty much been camped out at my sis' house since Andy was born back in February. I am living life just as I pictured it, playing with Joey in the backyard, holding sweet baby Andy, walking the doggie, and helping out around the house/shopping. I have enjoyed a great deal just being with my sis. We have always been close, but after I got so sick we were only able to spend time together by phone unless she came down to my house or to the hospital. It is wonderful to be able to spend time with her at her house for a change.

I have returned home since I started this entry and I am missing my babies. I go back to Duke this Thursday so me and Philip will be flying out on Weds. I am praying I get a good report and able to come back on Friday. I'm going to check on my friend Kerry while I'm there. She is STILL in the hospital, but I think she is finally headed in the right direction.

I heard from my friend Jessica N. that she got a good report with no rejection in her new lungs and she doesn't have to have a bronch for 1yr. Awesome! She has had a lot of stomach problems since her transplant so hopefully she is on the mend.

I went to see my CF doc that I have been seeing since I was a baby. She was sooo excited I came to see her. I told her when I left for Duke that I would be back too see her, but she said most people that have tx never come back.

I went back to church today. I haven't been to church since before transplant. I was waiting for the weather to warm up because I knew people would want to hug and shake my hand and with it being flu season I didn't think it was a good idea. It felt great to hug or shake hands with friends today and let them know how much I appreciated their many prayers they prayed for me. Our pastor made an announcement at the beginning of church about having me back and what miracles God gives. Then he asked everyone to applaud my return. It's a good thing I don't get embarrassed anymore because there was no way to be inconspicuous.;) It felt good knowing everyone cares so much. After church we went to Long's Fish Camp. It was soooo good. The last time we went I was on the medication that made everything taste terrible and because of my liver problem I was nauseated along with the distasteful food. Today I made up for it and it was wonderful! Afterward, we came home and took a nap, then went walking. It has been a great day. I still miss my babies and my sis, but I'll be back up there with them soon.

I am so glad it is Springtime! I love this time of year. I have had Spring fever and am ready for it to get warm and stay that way. Bring the Sunshine because that is the way I feel inside. Bright and Shiny! Love To All!

Keep Thinking Positive Thoughts

I haven't had anything really interesting to post lately. I've just been going through the motions, dr appts., rehab, grocery store, etc. same ole same ole. Well, this past Saturday me and hubby decided we were going to go to the movies Sunday afternoon (when there are less people in order to avoid a crowded theatre). Great Idea! I was looking forward to it. At 7:30 Sunday morning the front desk called, but I didn't answer. I checked the message when I got up about 9:00 that informed me I needed to contact the front desk. Turned out my car had gotten broken into early Sunday morning about 4am. They broke out the front passenger window and stole the Gps. They also rummaged through the glove box and the console, but didn't get anything else, thankfully. I've had an experience as a child with our car getting stolen and I'm very thankful they weren't interested in Grand Larceny. We weren't the only vehicle that was hit. There were three others in the appt. complex and one in the hotel right beside this place. They only took the Gps from each vehicle. It won't happen again! We bought another Gps and it will go inside when we go inside, whether it be at home, the mall, the grocery store, walmart, whereever! It won't be left in the car for sure. Luckily we are located close to an automotive shop that is going to have a replacement window tomorrow morning. About the movie, I wasn't in the mood after seeing my car violated and dealing with the police and filing a report. We ended up going to walmart for a gps and groceries, then hung out in the apt. the rest of the day. Bummer of a day, but it could be worse!

On another note, I enjoyed having dinner with my transplant family this evening. Three nights a week the apt. serves dinner and we all get together and have a great social. It's great having people to talk to that know what you are talking about and are going through. I also went today to see the doctor that is going to be doing my stomach wrap or Nissen Wrap. This is a surgery Duke is doing based on research that shows people with acid reflux could easily aspirate into their new lungs causing rejection. This surgery will prevent that from happening. I'm not looking forward to it, but I'm ready to get it over with. Surgery is scheduled for Friday. One more step on the road to getting back home!!!

Friends

Aside from pulmo rehab, this has been a great week.I had an awesome friend from home come up ,all the way from Mississippi, to see me. We've been friends since first grade. It was great to have her here. We seemed to never be able to catch up with each other at home. I told her I had to move to North Carolina for us to find time to get together:-) She enjoyed herself by shopping and sightseeing while I was at rehab. I was afraid she would be bored because I don't do much of anything, but rehab or clinic visits. The rest of my time is spent recouperating in the hotel, but she enjoyed chilling in the room too. She is a great friend and I hated to see her go. I just look forward to getting back home to see her again and everyone else I've left behind. It's a bummer being up here away from home; especially when I don't feel good and have to endure exercising while feeling like poo. I'm no quitter so I will survive. Thanks S for the visit!!! Can't wait to see you again!

Pulmonary Village

Today I decided to venture to the main building for dinner. I met a nice group of people that are here for the same reason I am. They refer to themselves as the pulmonary village, lol. It's like their own little family and I feel like I joined it tonight. Everyone I have met have been super nice and helpful. When you are in the position I'm in, you just want to pay it forward. I don't mind sharing any information I know. If it will help someone that is facing this journey then I can sleep well at night knowing I helped them cope with it somehow. I have found it makes it easier having friends that you can turn to that know what you are feeling. I have friends and family that I can confide in, but the ones that are tethered to O2 and struggling for air I can turn too also. I turn to them for the support of I made it one more day. Just one more day. Hang in there it will get easier, you'll make it. You're call will come soon. I'm glad I've made new friends. I hope the best for all of us and that we don't have to wait much longer for our call.

New Friends

If I had to choose a way to meet friends I wouldn't pick an oxygen tank to get a conversation started, but hey, we're all here for the same reasons. Late this afternoon Philip went out to walk around the complex. I chose to stay inside after my two attempts to go out today proved to be too hot and humid even with 15 liters of oxygen blasting. I can't enjoy the fresh air if I can cut it with a knife. Tomorrow I will resign to walk in the exercise room located in the hotel's main building. I'll be a gym rat, lol. Anyway, Philip wasn't gone long and he returned with a nice lady who wanted to meet me. I'm embarassed to admit I have already forgotten her name, which for me isn't that unusual even before my body was deprived of O2. She is from Boston, MA and is here with her dad. He is currently on the transplant list waiting for a lung or maybe two because of pulmonary fibrosis. She had seen me earlier standing out by the truck with my oxygen tank and knew what I was here for. It isn't a club a person would choose to be a member of but we all have a connection. After listening to her describe her dad and how difficult it was for him to get up and walk just a few feet, I thanked God for the health I have been able to maintain to this point. People that move into a new town generally go to church to meet new people and although I have met a few transplant patients; at Duke people meet at pulmo rehab. The people I have met here tell me "I'll see you at rehab". I can hear the theme to Rocky "Eye Of The Tiger". Lord, Give Me Strength!
My fellow Cyster, Piper, is awake and off the ventilator. She is doing well. Please continue to pray for her recovery. God Is Great!