Today's visit

is praising God because all of my labs and CT Scans are "normal"!! All of my issues with stomach and muscles seem to be med related! For the time being they have put a bunch on hold and will reintroduce at some point...but for now my body is starting to readjust and have more normal days!! I don't have to go back to Transplant clinic for a MONTH because of how well my LUNGS are and my body is readjusting!! Woohoo!! Yipee!!

I will go back to UCLA next week to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor because I have been having a lot of ear and sinus issues. Which really is not new to me but they have to figure out what I can now take that won't counteract my current meds. It's a weird science thing! I am planning on driving myself to that one. Which is huge considering I haven't been "allowed" to drive myself out of the city for over a year! INDEPENDENCE HERE I COME!!

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A great Sunday!

After 8 weeks....TODAY I WENT TO CHURCH! The second I walked in it reminded me of the first breath of fresh air I took post-transplant, refreshingly clear! I have missed my church! The blessing was mine to see the faces of so many loved ones! Words cannot describe how FULL my heart is! (oh yeah, and I even wore heels! That's important too!)

And now to watch football!

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Two months

Two months ago a family lost a son. A son who was not selfish. A son who loved life so much that he decided to donate it. A son who didn't even know who, when, or where this decision would be carried out. A son who was young. This family, who mourns, no longer has their son. I pray that he is in heaven. I pray that they have peace in knowing that their son's life is still being used by God.

Two months ago a family gained a wife and a mommy. A woman who wants nothing more than to serve them. A woman who wants nothing more than to PRAISE AND SERVE GOD all of her days. A woman who can now walk. A woman who can now ride a bike. A woman who looks to the day that she can run a marathon. A woman who has been healed from the enemy of death and illness. A woman who's heart holds every feeling of LOVE, THANKFULNESS, PERSERVERENCE, HOPE, AND FAITH.

Please join me in praying for the family of the 26yr old man that unselfishly gave life through a miraculous way that God has provided! Two months!

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My day

Looooonnnggg 10hr day today! Gone @6:30, @UCLA 8am, finally see Doc @10 (learned they didn't schedule my CT Scans), DISGUSTING labs from 12:40-1:50, CT got scheduled @2, had to drink two huge containers of "coffee" contrast (gag...gag...literally outloud several times), also got an IV of contrast (seriously could they contrast anymore??), and finally home! WHEW!

Results: THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME. I guess I haven't let you guys know that since my good day last Friday I've been in bed (fetal position) or on the couch all but one day. Between vomitting, digestive issues, and muscle/body pain my body is doing something. We just don't know what it is. Amazingly, today was a good feeling day! eventhough I had to fast 1/2 a day, take meds, do the disgusting lab stuff, and ingest so much contrast! I might know more tomorrow.

Goodnight!

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Another health update

HEALTH UPDATE: Today was amazing! The difference was night and day from the last 4-5 days!! No nausea, vomiting, or body/muscle cramps! (or staying in bed)

My transplant coordinator did call and say my Dr. Is VERY concerned with my symptoms and blood results which show very highly elevated levels in an area he tested. He said "I MUST" go to UCLA ER the second any of those sypmtoms come back. The test he ran doesn't pin point the issue but shows "an" issue.

LET'S JUST PRAY THAT IT IS/WAS NOTHING! AND DOESN'T COME BACK!! I now have to go back on thursday and have a couple CT SCANS done, EXTRA blood, and see the Gastro Doc...oh yay! you guys are amazing prayer warriors and I thank you so much for lifting me up! I love you guys FOREVER!

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Thursday results

Today did not go as planned. Got to UCLA and someone didn't schedule my Bronchoscopy...spent all morning being sick and vomiting while at UCLA (even with no meds in me)...Dr. Decided to change some meds that he thinks is causing it and out a hold on others that aren't helping. I've been nauseas and vomitting today...they were scheduling the bronch to still happen and my Dr. Said instead we weren't going to do it because I was so sick. On a good note my LUNGS ARE DOING PERFECTLY GREAT!! none of this (from what he could tell without looking at today's labs) is a sign of rejection! Praise God. He gave me 2 weeks off and says if this stomach and muscle issue doesn't get better within the next couple days I will go immediately back in to see a Gastro-int Dr. Thanks for all your prayers!

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Thursday 1/14

Hey everyone! Tomorrow is a UCLA day (after a 2 1/2 week break)...it's a BIG appointment where they will do xrays, lung function tests, blood, and put me under for a bronchoscopy. Please pray for peace and for me to stay asleep with no recollection of the procedure and no adverse stomach reactions from anestesia. Pray that I am able to fast and take all of my meds too (it's hard enough to do with food). Thank you!

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Tears of joy!

Hope you all don't get sick of me!

I just teared up and cried as I drove my girls to a class for the first time in 4months (friends have been doing this)!!! I can't say it enough God is good! (is this what babies/children feel when they do something for the first time?)

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Yay!!

I did it!! I did it!! I did it!! FIRST (another) day alone with the girls...cooked breakfast, did school, cleaned a bit, and did lunch!! Make a mental note of my excitement because I don't think there's many women out there that are EXCITED about this stuff!! NOW OFF TO DO LAUNDRY!! (I think I'm most excited that my husband is getting his wife back) It was his first day back to work too!

BTW: I'm feeling a ton better and didn't get sick this morning with meds!! Power of prayer!! Thank God!

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Some R&R

We decided to get away and have some good ol' family fun! (I will post pictures soon)

We had an AMAZING little camping vacation! We all really needed it and it was soooo freeing to be without our phones! It's such a gift to be able to experience MANY firsts with my family...like Bella's first time fishing...my first time preparing dinner for my family while camping...and the BIGGEST ONE??? My first time riding a bike with my family!! You should have seen their faces when I hopped on and started riding! The girls were yelling "mommy is riding a bike?!?!???" in total disbelief. God is so good to gift us with happiness in a time the enemy would rather us be troubled and stressed!

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Stress, the unwelcomed guest

When you go through something like we have for the past 5/6 years it takes a toll. Learning how to be a new person that "can" do things is at times confusing. Feelings and fears of how bad things were are coming to surface like tears you've held back. Now as things get better and it requires less to take care of me the years are on our lap. Like a soldier home from war.

We are in deep prayer and know that the enemy is TICKED that I was snatched from his grip of death and redeemed by GOD ALMIGHTY so now the enemy tries to bring on the stress and hurt our family, hurt our family, and take out our main support beam...BUT GUESS WHAT?? WE ARE TOGETHER MORE THAN EVER AND ALBEIT HARD WE ARE STILL TRUSTING/RELYING ON GOD!! We will grow closer to Him and glorify Him NO MATTER what! LOVE WILL ENDURE THROUGH HIS WORD AND PROMISE BECAUSE HE DID NOT REDEEM FOR BROKENESS TO FOLLOW!! HE REDEEMED AND HEALED TO CONTINUE HIS WORK!

I am honored to be able to be a light! My family WILL SHINE! We will do the work it takes, let the tears come, and then smile to make them go away. WE WILL FIGHT!