First instagram

Changes

Until very recently, I never realized how much I care about what other people think. I know that as you step into new territory of your life you look back and think, wow i should have done that differently. I did that too, but since my transplant I have looked even more into it. Especially lately as I have found old friends, talking to them I realize more things I wish I had done differently. Things I want to change as I face the future. The biggest thing I have realized is how much I let other peoples views determine how i do things. 

Looking at how it affected my past makes me so sad and I am determined to not let it control my future. 

2 YEARS!!

Well here we are, it has been 2 full years (to the day) since my heart transplant. I am thrilled that I have had this chance at a healthier life. For those who don't know here is a condensed version of what was going on 2 years ago...
2010
January 25  -- Enter Johns Hopkins Hospital 


February 24 -- Was told because of my placement on the transplant list I could no longer stay in the hospital to wait. While talking with my doctor I asked to go on a medication I didn't like so that I would be moved a little high on the list even though it made me feel worse. To be on this medicine I needed to get a port in my chest called a Hickman line. That way i could be on an IV medication all the time. 


February 25 -- I went into the procedure/operating room to get the port placed. WHILE I was getting this port put in they found me a heart. This is the conversations I had this day...

Me: Can I have something to eat now?

Michele: No maybe in a little while.

Me: not fair I'm hungry

maybe 10 minutes later

Drs: Guess what?

Me: What? (expecting terrible news) 

Drs: We found you a heart

Me: Are you kidding me? OMG  ::CRYING:: omgomgomg ::start dialing Dan's cell::

Drs: Don't tell you anyone yet its not a for sure thing etcetcetc blah blah blah 

Me: (thinking) OMG OMGOMG  totally not listening anymore cause OMG I MIGHT HAVE A HEART

Drs:: blahblahblah we will see you a little later

call dan: 

Me: OMG you need to leave work right now

Dan: why

Me: oh crap one of the techs is here gotta go ::hang up::

call back

Me: ok so you have to leave now; hurry and get here

Dan: why whats wrong

Me; they found me a heart!!

blahblahblah talk to you later

call mom:

Me: I need to talk to you its important I need you to go outside.

Mommy: whats wrong

Me: you NEED to go outside, just do it.

Mommy: Ok give me a couple minutes I will call you back

few minutes later my phone rings

Mommy: Im outside whats wrong

Me: omg omg umm omg they found me a heart!

Mommy: omg are you serious? when? what did they say? omg oh wow omg. wow oh wow.. etc

day 2 of a TON of crying :)

February 26 -- TRANSPLANT DAY!!

February 27 -- taken off of the ventilator and breathing on my own

February 28 -- Standing and Walking for the first time

March 1 -- out of the ICU and into a post transplant ward

March 6 -- out of the hospital and back to my moms for the next month and a half.  

Such a whirlwind. Hard to believe its been 2 years.. Seems just like yesterday...Seems like forever ago..

Just happy to be alive.

Extremely grateful

If you have read my mom's thankful status today then you know what I am thankful for. 


Today, Nov 5, I am thankful for the Gracie Family. While they were facing an awful tragedy they decided to donate their daughters organs and saved my life. Meeting them this past August was like magic. We became and instant family and I couldn't be more grateful that they are my donor family. 


Today would have been my donor Sherry's 32nd birthday. It is also her mom's, Sherry, birthday. Happy Birthday to them both. much love to them! I can not wait to see them in 11 days

Through thick and thin I am thankful

I am thankful for the few friends that have stuck with me through thick and thin. Some of you i have known for a long time and some for a short time but i love you all!