Nine Years & Counting

I've been so busy with school-related stuff since the beginning of the year that my 9 year heart transplant anniversary slipped up on me.  I took some time this morning to go back over the journals I kept prior to, during and after the transplant and again realized just how blessed and fortunate I am.

First of all, I have to thank Tiffany's family for the gift of life.  As I rejoice, I'm sure they continue to grieve and miss this special young lady.  Even though she had made the decision to be an organ donor as soon as she got her driver's license, the final agreement had to be given by her family to follow her wishes.  I do know she donated several organs to others, and I continue to pray that they are doing as well as I.

Then I have to thank all of my family.  My immediate family supported me (and continue to do so) from the beginning.  From the little things like coming over to clean my house, put out my garbage, help me buy groceries to the bigger things of taking me to doctor appointments and procedures and helping to purchase medication....they have always been there for me.  Aunts, Uncles, Cousins....all of them....helped support my family and me in any way they could, and continue to do so.

Next, I have to thank my medical angels who continue to help me stay in such good shape.  Dr. E (who you can see on the new St Francis ad) and Dr. T continue to monitor my progress (or lack thereof as was the case in October) and help me keep on a good path.  The staff at my pink vacation home have always treated me well during every visit.  If I have to be in a hospital, I'm glad it is SFH!

I also have to thank BAPS for their support during these years.  Downtown administration allowed me to have shortened days as my health began to weaken.  Oliver staff helped in any way they could (and wore paper hearts on the day of my transplant) both before and after.  When I moved to Sequoyah, they continued that support as I still had to have procedures done.  And now my SIHS family (and future Freshman Academy) continue to be supportive and positive.  I work with great people!

Emmaus friends started a prayer chain from the beginning and kept it up for years after the transplant.  I still see many of those friends and am always grateful for their prayers and concerns.

Finally, I have to thank some special friends who were there from the beginning and continue to be today.  Lisa, Amy, Melenda, Dawn and their families....thanks for being there from the beginning and hanging in there with me now.  Love you guys!

I am a realist which to the dismay of many can seem a little harsh at times.  Transplant patients average around 20 years if there are no rejection issues or complications from the drugs we take (cancer related mostly).  I'm almost halfway through that length of time.  I call it "bonus time" because on the day they called about the possibility of the transplant, I was looking at the calendar to see if I could hold out to Spring Break then take the rest of the semester off.  I could barely walk into the building and often had to stop twice on the way to the office.  I could tell I was getting weaker and weaker each day.  From the day of the transplant on, I've felt great and for the most part have done well.

I had many dreams once upon a time....now I've learned to just enjoy each day as it is.  I'm grateful every morning I wake up and every day I go to sleep.  I have no idea how long I will walk this Earth, but for however long it may be I hope to find good in each day.  As Tim McGraw sings, "live like you were dying".  That's the best way to honor Tiffany and her gift...do the best you can each day.  Thank you, Tiffany...I'll continue to try to do that.