'08-'09

As I began to feel better, I began to experience life again. When I was in college I used to go two-stepping quite a bit...like nearly every weekend. I hadn't been in quite a while so my friends and I went a couple of times over the summer. It took awhile for it to come back, and I can't do it for long, but felt good to get out again. In fact, it just felt good to do a lot of things...margarita's with my friends, a girl's weekend in Texas (and what happens in Texas stays in Texas!), just getting out there and living life.

In February of '09 I had my last surgical biopsy. Hallelujah! The docs were tired of trying to deal with going in through the valves and I sure was tired of having it done. Now we just do a blood biopsy and bloodwork. I have had to do the esophogus stretch a couple of times and other than it being difficult to get IV's in that has been no problem. I try to be pretty watchful for cancer issues and Lord knows I have enough docs that surely they would catch a problem in time. I feel like my hospital bills paid for the new children's hospital at Saint Francis...surely I could have my own parking place by now.

For the first summer with no doc appointments, we celebrated by my folks and I taking a road trip to Charleston, Savannah, and Myrtle Beach. I LOVED the beach...first time I've really been around one for a while. We met my cousin and his wife and spent about 4 days there. Had to watch about being out in the sun too much...yes, I also have to deal with skin cancer issues...but got a nice tan out of the trip.

Mom and Dad in Savannah

Now, as the end of '09 winds down, and my 5 year anniversary comes up, I'm thinking about all those I've seen in the clinic that are no longer here. Some were much older than I, but the average survival length for a heart transplant patient is 15 years. But, I've also known 2 transplant patients that have had to undergo a 2nd transplant, which if you survive the loss of blood is actually much easier than the first transplant. Not that I'd want to do this again, but at least I know there are options. I still haven't been able to meet my donor family although my parents have remained in contact with Tiffani's grandparents. I just can't quite get there and not sure if I ever will.

I feel that my condition has kept me from getting some other job positions both in and out of the district, which I hate. But on the days that I have a hard time getting around I understand why. I'm taking 34 pills a day now, actually one of the lowest of any of the transplant patients. Some of the changes have brought on the need for other meds for my stomach, some have caused weight gain, some are just a pain to take because they have to be timed out just right.

But, I'm alive. I'm not buried 6 feet underground. My goal when I had the transplant was to live long enough to celebrate my parent's 50th anniversary....which happened in September. Now, I want to live long enough to see my friend's children graduate from high school. The youngest is in 2nd grade now so that will give me 10 more years to shoot for, and put me right at that 15 year mark.

Me, Mom, Dad, Susan and Robert

But you never know what each day will bring. If it wants to bring a male into my life, I'd happily accept that! But I come with a lot of baggage to deal with so it would have to be someone special. Maybe I should just be grateful for living at this point!