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As the holiday season comes and everyone gets in the rush of finding the "perfect gift" for those in their family, I'm always reminded that I have already gotten the "perfect gift"...my second heart. As you rush around in your shopping, stop a second and think about having that conversation with your family and make a committment to be an organ donor.
Most donor hearts last 10-20 years, and to keep them that long transplant patients have to take some very strong anti-rejection drugs that have some pretty serious side effects, all of which vary from patient to patient. I'm approaching year 8 this February, but I'm not worried about the future. These extra years have been another gift, and I've tried to find ways to really enjoy them to their fullest.
All who know me also know that I'm a big Oklahoma State fan, so I am really enjoying this football season. Thanks to the generosity of my little brother, who donated to the Tulsa Zoo auction and won 2 suite tickets with parking to Bedlam, my father and I will be attending (weather permitting). The last time I was at an OSU game was about a year before the transplant and I could barely walk into the stadium and was so tired that I slept on the way home. This time will be different...I'm going to enjoy every second of it!
I don't take the future for granted anymore. I may be fortunate enough to have a heart that will last 20 years without a problem...and I may not. I might be fortunate enough to be given a second heart at some point. But, if the worse were to come, I want to know that I took advantage of every extra day by helping someone else, made a difference in someone's life, and tried to be a good example to those around me. A person can't ask for a better life than that!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Give Thanks
This is the month of Thankfulness, and as it begins I start reflecting about all I should be thankful for and there is a lot. I know time won't allow me to write everyday so I'm going to try to get it all down now.
First, I'm thankful for my family and friends who were there in my darkest days and still there now. My parents, brother and sister-in-law who gave me room to make the biggest decision of my life without judgement and who continue to help and support me in too numerous ways to name. I'm thankful for the friends who were on standby to get me to the hospital, who sat with me the time before the transplant and never let me be scared or worried. Who came to the hospital and sat with my family. Who continue to support me almost 8 years later. To name them individually would take up too many pages.
I'm thankful for the life of Tiffany Mashore Fleehart who, even before she had a driver's license, made the decision to be an organ donor. This month is both her birthday month and her wedding anniversary month. I understand, through conversations her grandmother and my father have recently had, that her little brother is now deployed. I pray for his safety and the safety of many others.
I'm thankful that, to date, I have gotten nothing but good reports on my health with only some minor issues. Each time I go to clinic and I see fewer and fewer of our group there, I'm reminded that it could change easily.
I'm thankful that I continue to be able to work with kids even though the docs weren't sure it was a good idea being around all those "germie kids". At both sites that I've been to after the transplant the kids have been great about doing everything they needed to in order for me to stay healthy.
I'm thankful that I work for a district that has supported me from day one of this adventure. Whether it be shortening my days before the transplant to just get through the day to going for the 30 plus biopsy tests.
I'm thankful that I have a job and insurance during these tough economic times. Without insurance my meds would run $4000 or more a month. Lots of people complain about insurance costs...I never will.
I'm thankful for the memories I have of those no longer with us who were there for me during these years. For Uncle Jim who stayed hours upon hours at the hospital for the trial runs and the actual transplant itself. For Joanne who was there for the "procedure that became the ordeal" at the start and the many days after. For grandparents who had instilled strength and faith that I would fall back on and still do.
I'm thankful for the two school staffs and all the administrators that I have and continue to work with who gave me room to keep my independence but would either offer or just step in when I needed help or rest.
I'm thankful for the soldiers who are away from their families protecting us and others. Katie and Kyle, I am especially thankful for you and your commitment to serve. I know it is a hardship on you and your family but I also know you wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm thankful to be alive, because it so easily could be the other way.
Give Thanks. Often.
First, I'm thankful for my family and friends who were there in my darkest days and still there now. My parents, brother and sister-in-law who gave me room to make the biggest decision of my life without judgement and who continue to help and support me in too numerous ways to name. I'm thankful for the friends who were on standby to get me to the hospital, who sat with me the time before the transplant and never let me be scared or worried. Who came to the hospital and sat with my family. Who continue to support me almost 8 years later. To name them individually would take up too many pages.
I'm thankful for the life of Tiffany Mashore Fleehart who, even before she had a driver's license, made the decision to be an organ donor. This month is both her birthday month and her wedding anniversary month. I understand, through conversations her grandmother and my father have recently had, that her little brother is now deployed. I pray for his safety and the safety of many others.
I'm thankful that, to date, I have gotten nothing but good reports on my health with only some minor issues. Each time I go to clinic and I see fewer and fewer of our group there, I'm reminded that it could change easily.
I'm thankful that I continue to be able to work with kids even though the docs weren't sure it was a good idea being around all those "germie kids". At both sites that I've been to after the transplant the kids have been great about doing everything they needed to in order for me to stay healthy.
I'm thankful that I work for a district that has supported me from day one of this adventure. Whether it be shortening my days before the transplant to just get through the day to going for the 30 plus biopsy tests.
I'm thankful that I have a job and insurance during these tough economic times. Without insurance my meds would run $4000 or more a month. Lots of people complain about insurance costs...I never will.
I'm thankful for the memories I have of those no longer with us who were there for me during these years. For Uncle Jim who stayed hours upon hours at the hospital for the trial runs and the actual transplant itself. For Joanne who was there for the "procedure that became the ordeal" at the start and the many days after. For grandparents who had instilled strength and faith that I would fall back on and still do.
I'm thankful for the two school staffs and all the administrators that I have and continue to work with who gave me room to keep my independence but would either offer or just step in when I needed help or rest.
I'm thankful for the soldiers who are away from their families protecting us and others. Katie and Kyle, I am especially thankful for you and your commitment to serve. I know it is a hardship on you and your family but I also know you wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm thankful to be alive, because it so easily could be the other way.
Give Thanks. Often.
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