Nikki's New Lungs

Rosie, me, Travis, “Alfred”, & Lauren

Meet “Alfred”, the colossal snowman standing about ten feet tall. Yesterday, Lauren wanted to play in the fresh snow that had fallen. An hour later,  people were driving by honking their horns and giving us the thumbs up. One woman from the Philippines even stopped to have her picture taken with “Alfred” so she could send it home to her family. We even made the 10pm newscast. Click on the link, it is at the halfway mark WCCO news

In the beginning stages

Andrew helped too

A year ago I was selling my car. The guy who came for a test drive ended up smashing into a tree and totaling the car. Unfortunately, I had to use legal action to ask for the amount of the selling price. A few weeks ago I received a phone call from one of Judge Judy’s producers asking if I would be willing to bring the case to Hollywood. I couldn’t believe it! I never thought that it would be possible, but very special arrangements were made with my doctor, transplant team, and the show to make it happen while remaining on the transplant list. Late Monday night we flew to Los Angeles, taped early Tuesday morning and flew home immediately after the show. I can’t share ANY details, but it will probably be aired sometime in the next three weeks to a couple of months. I will be sure to let everyone know!

If one reality show wasn’t enough….We flew home from L.A. last night and this morning we helped our friends kick off remodeling their bathroom on the show Bath Crashers! We helped cheer them on and assisted in the demolition of the old bathroom. We are so excited for our friends, Jay & Kimmy, to get their new bathroom. Can’t wait to see the finished product which should be done in only a few days! I will let you know when that airs too!

Jenny, Annie, Matt (Bath Crashers host), Kimmy, Megan, myself

After two reality shows in two days, this girl now needs two weeks to recoup! Don’t ever think breathing with twenty five percent lung capacity, wearing oxygen, or waiting for a double lung transplant will prevent you from enjoying life to the fullest!

It is cold outside! With a wind chill of thirty degrees BELOW zero this morning who wouldn’t want to hibernate. I continue to “shake” four times a day, and feel stronger. I have also been hibernating because I am saving my energy for something big next week. I can’t say anything right now but I will definitely let you know in the middle of the week. Have a great weekend and stay warm!

Andrew, Dana, me, Lauren, & Travis

This is a video blog, enjoy!

Our friends Habibi and Heather recently sent us this picture of their kids and dog Trikki.  They “won” Rosie’s cousin Trikki two years ago at the same Cystic Fibrosis benefit dinner where we “won” Rosie six years earlier.  They were very proud to sport the new “Donate Life” Arizona license plates.  I wish Minnesota would offer these plates to help spread the word about organ donation.  Thanks for all of the support!  The kids, plates and pooch all look great!

This is a video blog, enjoy!

Today I celebrated 37 years on this planet! We went to dinner with my family and then went to watch Andrew’s hockey game. Every year on my birthday I buy toys-for-tots and drop them off at Kare11. This year I had a little helper, my niece Lauren. We picked all sorts of toys for the little girls and boys. We had so much fun.

Thursday I had my annual eye appointment. I did not receive the best of news. The Dr. told me I have background diabetic retinopathy. It is damage to the blood vessels and capillaries in the retina caused from my diabetes. It can cause blindness, but I don’t know the extent of my damage. My consult appointment is in the beginning of January when I will learn more.

I have talked about my four year old little friend, Grace, who was waiting for a heart transplant. I am happy to announce that in October she received her heart! After being hospitalized for 445 days she is finally home and doing fantastic! I told Grace I would wear the little piece of pink tissue paper she gave me on my oxygen tubing until she received her heart. It’s now in a safe spot in my jewelry case. Here is a nice article about her story Saving Grace: Eagan toddler recovering from heart transplant

With all my technology issues lately there are a few holes to fill for the last couple of months….

Zac, myself, & Andrew

September: Our nephew, Zac, who was living in Arizona for the last year, decided he would live with us while playing hockey for a junior hockey team the Edina Lakers. Three weeks into the hockey season another player, Andrew from Utah, was traded to Zac’s team. He needed a place to stay “for a night or two” until he found permanent housing. He stayed with us. After a few weeks of still needing a home we decided he was a great guy and we kept him! After one of their home games, they had a “skate with the players” night. I haven’t laced up the old skates in over five years. The boys must be pretty special to me, I actually tied those laces up again. Sure brought back a lot of memories for me being on the ice.

Great Crew!

Our charity event we are involved with benefiting the cystic fibrosis foundation was a great success. They managed to raise over $70,000. We had an amazing turnout of friends that attended. Thank you everyone for your support.

Jen & myself

October: Was a good month. I did all sorts of things. I had a chance to visit with a long time friend, Jen, who was in town from Delaware. We reminisced for hours about old times.  I went to a Vikings football game, a Minnesota Gopher hockey and football game, and numerous Edina Lakers hockey games. I figured I better pack it in while I was still getting free energy from prednisone. I am no longer taking it and back to staying home a lot more. I enjoyed it while it lasted though!

Travis, myself, & Dana

Me and my niece Lauren

Travis & myself

November: A very slow month for me as I was dealing with my pesky head cold. I can’t believe I did not end up being hospitalized. I worked so hard doing extra treatments, sleeping, eating, and repeating.