Saturday, April 25, 2009

Donate Life 5K



We had an awesome day at the Donate Life Run/Walk! There were so many people it was amazing! My poor man ran even though his foot was injured!! It benefited Analiese though because she beat him by 1:15 (which he had to buy her a banana split for). All the Daddy's ran with the older daughters and us mommy's and little kids walked. It was so cute to see the little kids running. My nephew Ryan was a crack up because he would just keep running and blow past everyone! Bella and Ryan ended up running the last mile with Jim and Delia. Yep, the whole mile!! I was pushed by Amy the whole time. Now, as much as that is such a sweet thing that a best friend just does don't think it was all sweet!! She almost spilled me onto the asphalt 3 times! It was HILARIOUS and I screamed so loud!! I don't often use the wheelchair and now I remember why. Between her and Manuel I always end up SCREAMING from a near spill. I would rather take my chances with walking! It does make it more fun though, especially when people give you that look like "Oh no! The poor handicapped girl almost fell out of her chair!". FUN TIMES!! I loved being out there with my family and my best friends! I am so proud of all the kids too. None of them complained!! I was also approached with an opportunity to speak on organ donation to the Spanish speaking community. Pretty neat!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

FREE ICE CREAM!!

Thank you Ben & Jerry's for understanding that ice cream just makes the heat dissapear!
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Fun with our friends from Oregon!

WE LOVE THE KENNEDY'S! We have missed them so much and are so excited to spend the week with them!!
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Friday, April 17, 2009

We saw this on the road today!

This truck had "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD NOT A SWEAR WORD" on each side of the trailer, on the back, on both doors of the cab, and the front of the cab! It was the coolest sight!! It was a good reminder for me and the girls to use what God gives us to speak of HIM...no matter the vehicle, GLORIFY HIS NAME!!!
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Saturday, April 11, 2009

My B's!

My mom picked us girls up on Saturday. She dropped Bella and I off at the Coffee Bean for some girl time while she and Analiese went to Ralph's. Spending time with my girls fills my soul but there is something more that happens when I'm with just one. It's almost as if I can see the WHOLE person they are! B's brain is always going and she always has very important things to talk about. My time with her was filled with the most laughing I've done all week and some tear wrenching conversation. A couple of the things she just had to talk to me about were: (I'm not kidding the kid riddled off thought after thought, and question after question. Wish I remembered them all)

Mommy,

How do you know when you have a knuckle head? (She meant headache)

I can't wait to have a husband just like daddy! Can I just marry him? (he's taken!)

Can people die from "your" lungs mommy? (Can mommy die from her lungs)

How many monies have people payed for the lungs? (Donations raised for the 5K)


Why do I love the way you smell so much? (as she sniffs me all over! IN PUBLIC!!)


When I grow up can I live with you and Daddy forever?

I can make myself laugh all the time!! Watch!! (and she lets out the loudest belly laugh as if she REALLY was laughing at the funniest thing she'd ever heard)

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Hospital Stay

I went in to see my transplant Dr's on Thursday. They told me to go in because I was having symptoms that were scarring them. When I got there I was having extreme difficulty breathing and couldn't catch my breath. It's kinda a long story but my Dr. Sent me over to the ER and I was admitted. It took 8 hours of breathing 52-60 breaths/minute, several doctors watching and wanting to intubate me (breathing tube), countless nebulizer treatments, several doses of steroids, and a b i-pap machine before I finally started catching my breath. I only remember bits and pieces but know that they were all expecting for me to tire out and need for them to rescue me. Praise God though that at the same moment I was starting to catch my breath our church was having a service (1st Thursday) and were all praying for me at that exact moment to breathe! God is good! Had I been intubated I would have had to be taken off the list for a period because of it. I basically suffered an acute flare up caused by my disease. Praise God no embolisms (blood clots) and no visible viruses. Down side is that my disease has progressed and I still need new lungs. Plus side is I am at the top of the UCLA list!! Anyway God is good and I am back home...on strict rest!

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Donate Life


*Almost 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants.

*Every 12 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.

*An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.

*According to research, 98% of all adults have heard about organ donation and 86% have heard of tissue donation.

*90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor.

Despite continuing efforts at public education, misconceptions and inaccuracies about donation persist. Learn these facts to help you better understand organ, eye and tissue donation:

Fact: Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.

Fact: All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.

Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.

Fact: When you are on the waiting list for an organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information, not your financial status or celebrity status.

Fact: An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.

Fact: There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ or tissue donation.

Fact: Signing a donor card and a driver's license with an "organ donor" designation may not satisfy your state's requirements to become a donor.

Be certain to take the necessary steps to be a donor and ensure that your family understands your wishes. http://www.donatelife.net/CommitToDonation/

As many of you know I have been waiting on the lung transplant list for 1yr and 10months. I know I will be healed and I know that God will provide that healing in His perfect time. I also know that He heals in many ways and has blessed us with opportunities like Organ donation. I will continue to wait patiently, along with thousands, for healing and the blessing of prolonged life!