I am so fortunate to approach a new decade and I can’t seem to feel any other emotion than gratitude. As I look at my blog’s main page on the right side where it says “Listed for transplant June 7th, 2010”, it’s hard to believe so much time has passed. It is amazing how much struggle, heartache, triumph, and joy, a decade can give one person.
I often refer to moments in my life as “pre-transplant” and “post-transplant”, it’s a great reference for time. My life changed so much once I received my new lungs in 2013. I almost always remember time frames in the past because I was either wearing oxygen or it was no longer required because I could breathe freely.
I know I don’t write as often as I did prior to my surgery, it was a lot easier to sit by my computer when I was too ill to go anywhere. I apologize for the lack of communication with my blog posts but I am spending more time outside living and enjoying life! I try to keep up with my “Wordless Wednesday’s” so you know I am doing well and having fun.
There are a couple of memories from this last year that are my favorites that I have not shared with you. The first is celebrating six years with new lungs. Once again I was able to host a group of friends for our annual lobster party celebrating another year with “pretty pink lungs”. I never imagined I would have the energy to host a party like this prior to receiving my ~gift~. Even though our friend,Chef Taylor, does all the cooking, it’s a lot to coordinate and prep for and I completely enjoy it…because I can.
On December 16th, I turned forty-four years old. Birthday’s are blessings and I LOVE my birthday! Every year, I start my birthday by delivering cookies to LifeSource, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Children’s Hospital, Children’s clinic, the Universty of Minnesota Hospital ICU, transplant floor, CF floor, then U of M health clinics, PFT lab, x-ray, blood lab, pharmacy, etc. I thank them for helping me to have the ability to enjoy another birthday.
Next, I had a lot of help from some of you for my next celebration. Thank you, with your assistance and my “little helpers”, I delivered 918 TOYS to Toys for Tots this year!!! Another new record amount of toys I collected and delivered!
Someone said to me this year, I can’t believe you count them all. Just so you are aware, I not only count them, I look at all of them too! I will say to Travis, “look at this one, it’s so cute” or “this is awesome!” I love imagining what joy it must bring to the child opening it. I then load all the packages in the cargo van that my buddy, Andy, loans me for the delivery.
I also have to thank Belinda Jensen at KARE11 News. She has been such a great supporter of my toy collecting and was so kind to speak to me on the 6PM news. Click on the link to watch Kare11 Toys for Tots 12/19/19
Immediately following the news taping, Travis and I went to get some dinner. As we sat down, I said to Travis, I’m getting a sore throat. As we waited for our dinner I lost all my energy and in a very short time, my throat hurt so bad I couldn’t swallow nor eat my dinner, we ended up coming home.
I called my doc in the morning. I tried the conventional method by heading to CVS for a rapid strep/flu test which was negative (thank goodness) but my blood pressure was very low, my heart rate was elevated. I thought the oxygen stat machine has to be broken or have a low battery because it measured at 88! I remember what it was like if my oxygen levels were that low and typically you would be out of breath but I wasn’t. I was advised to head to the Emergency Room.
Once there, my BP was still low but my oxygen stat was 99, PHEW! Dana came to sit with me until Travis could arrive. I was super dehydrated and wiped out tired. I received a bag of fluids and was sent home seven hours later because the E.R. was so busy. It’s never a quick trip to the E.R. but during the holiday season, try and avoid it at all costs! Turns out I have a viral infection that has given me pure exhaustion.
We did host Christmas Eve and enjoyed our time during the holiday’s with family in town. I missed out on a few things to naps but at least I wasn’t coughing and sneezing. I am still very tired and recovering by sleeping a lot during the day and still tired enough to sleep throughout the night too. I would take this over nasal or chest congestion any day though!
My most memorable moment this year was not an easy one, maybe the hardest. I absolutely can not be more grateful to have been by my dad’s side holding his hand when he passed away earlier this year in February. My heart is still broken but I am completely blessed to have had such an incredible father. My mind sparks lots of memories and I welcome every one of them.
Luckily I was feeling well the night before my birthday this year. I did get to eat dinner with Travis, my mom, and my brother. Last year during my birthday dinner with my family, we took the last family photo where my dad was present. It makes me sad not to have him included but I made sure I ordered Fish and Chips which was the meal he used to always order, for him.
There are so many times we’ll say “Papa would have loved that” or “that reminds me of my dad”. Tears are shed because I miss him but he shows me in little ways he is with me. He may not be with us physically, but he is in all of our hearts. As he used to sing:
Que Sera,Sera
Whatever will be will be
The future's not ours to see
Que Sera, Sera
As I reflect back on everything that has happened this last decade, I ask you to do the same. Remember where you have been, what you have done, and look forward to what is to become in a brand new year, a brand new decade.
Remember the struggles you have overcome, the heartaches that healed, the triumphs you have conquered, and all the moments that bring you joy!
There are a so many moments to be thankful and grateful for, I am looking forward to what the 2020’s bring us all! I I wish everyone near and far a VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!
Nikki's New Lungs 