Nikki's New Lungs

Last year, due to the COVID-19 virus, our annual Lobster Lungiversary Party to honor my donor and new lungs was cut down to four of us. This year thanks to our friends, Ro and Kathy, they opened up their home and backyard so we could resume the celebration with a large group.

We were worried when we saw the forecast of rain but NOTHING was going to prevent this crowd from celebrating this year! There was a large tent for some, a covered deck for others, and to keep us at a safe distance, we brought our bubble tents.

We own the tents because of this bunch. Last year when I was struggling being isolated, they came together to provide us with heaters and bubbles to stay social during cold and inclement weather. They sure came in handy this last Saturday night, just as we sat down for dinner, the skies unleashed heavy precipitation!!

After we finished the delicious crustaceans and fixings made by our chef friend @kitchenschlub and the “pretty pink lungs” cake that consisted of 1/2 raspberry cream filling and the other 1/2 lemon from @cakeboxmn, we weren’t expecting the summer showers that lasted for hours.

The downpour wasn’t going to stop the fun for this gathering, the mucic was turned on, disco ball was lit, dancing started, and well….you can only get so wet, so we embraced the elements of the warm summer rain!!

Most of us took advantage of the “waterfall” cascading off the upper deck and it was a good ol’ rain party to finish the magical night!!

Thanks to everyone that came together to continue the tradition, I love you all!!!

I recalled yesterday about the most important phone call I have ever received in my life which happened years ago. The voice on the other end asked me if I could come to the hospital as soon as possible as there was a pair of lungs for me to be transplanted!

Today, I celebrate eight years with my “new pretty pink lungs” . That was the phrase I kept repeating over and over after my surgery during recovery. I still often say it aloud.

Tonight, someone had delivered Chinese food to our doorstep. We didn’t place an order for this meal and after confirming with the neighbors realized it was mistakenly placed on our porch. After an hour or so, I decided to bring it in. Since the fortune cookies were individually wrapped, I proceeded to open one of them. Not sure there could have been a more appropriate and “breath taking” message!!!

I am so grateful to my donor, Jacob.  I have been blessed with eight more years of glorious life with the people I love. To think what I have been able to do in the last eight years, I can’t believe it. I was given the greatest gift of all, the gift of life.

If you read this, please put your hand on your chest and take a DEEP BREATH in honor of Jacob and all the donors who have selflessly donated.

Lauren ‘s last shift before she heads off to college is tomorrow night. Because of Covid, we haven’t been able to dine INSIDE where she is the best host in the business and they serve the best fish in town at Billy Sushi. So we loaded up our TV trays and folding chairs, ordered some takeout and surprised her by setting up our own illicit patio & dining al fresco right on the sidewalk. We floated some Gray Ducks 🤫 to make those La Croix waters really sparkle. 😉🤔 Glad we finally got to see her sparkle and shine before she swims off to other ponds. Going to miss this girl!!💕