Button's Gone!

So I went to see Dr. Trapnell last Thursday and things are looking good :) My weight is up to 109lbs and my PFT is holding at 65%! yay! So that meant that I could get my g-tube out. I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life! On Monday that's where Dad and I went... to see Dr. J to get my button removed. Now I have a hole in my stomach where it was, but that'll heal over some time. Hopefully by tomorrow I can stop putting the gauze over it to prevent stuff from leaking out. Just think, this summer I could wear a bikini if I want to now... well, ok, maybe not a bikini. I have a few too many scars to make that look pretty :) But maybe I will just on principle now!

On other, rather depressing news, I wasn't accepted back to St. Elizabeth's program. I didn't really get a clear answer as to why, but there ya have it. I have applied to the University of Cincinnati and hopefully they'll take me. We'll see.

2009

So I thought I'd follow the trend and sumerize 2009 as I saw it.

January didn't hold anything new for me. More IV's, another trip to Cleveland, and growing anticipation for my new lungs to arrive. I remember lots of nights crying myself to sleep because I had to hook myself up to so many machines just to sustain life. All I wanted in life was my second chance.

February came and I had my first shot at my rebirth on the 9th. It wasn't meant to be that night but it sure scared the hell out of everyone involved. Little did we know that the following week would be that life changing event. February 13th at 8pm I went in for surgery and on the 15th I took my first breath on my own with Andrew. It wasn't the amazing movie moment where I gasped in air and everything was better, but it was amazing and I have a picture of me at that moment -- Best. picture. ever.

March I was still having clotting issues which would haunt me for the next couple months. But the best part of that month was the fact that I got to go back home to Cincinnati. I made it to Kelly's dance competitions for the first time in years, cheered her on, and overall just enjoyed life! I also found out that Jessica had passed, which is something that still makes my heart hurt when I think about it.

April I had to go back to Cleveland to be admitted... again... for a yeast infection they found in the liquid they drained from my left lung. Wasn't a bad trip, just long... but switched my antifungal medication around and back home we go :) I was also having a hard time tolerating some of my meds (mostly the CellCept) which were making me so sick! But again, more adjusting to meds and sent on my way.

May marked 3 months post-transplant. We had the CF walk where I was honored by cutting the ribbon to start the walk. I still have the ribbon sitting in my room... now to figure out what to do with it :) I also learned that the fluid around my left lung was back and now required surgery to remove. That was scheduled for June 8th so I could see my sister's dance recital.

June was a hard month. I went back up to Cleveland for my surgery, which was suppose to be laporscopically done, but nope. They had to hope my side up since the liquid had solidified so much. I woke up in more pain than I had when I woke up from tranplant. Of course, the drugs were different, but still... OWW!! I spent all of June battling pain from that procedure. I did make it home though in time for my "Yay Lungs!" party. It was so great to be able to celebrate with everyone... even though I don't remember much since I had so many pain killers in my system.

July wasn't much better. I was still on pain meds, which caused serious constipation, which landed me back in the hospital. Fortunately I was able to be in Cincinnati for that stay. Once I had a good poop though, the pain started to go away. Go figure ;) When I was released from the hospital, Cameron and I went to see Momma Mia, which is fantastic!

August was great! I went to a Red's game with Cameron and our friend Jesse. Walked all the way up to the top seats and didn't even get winded! It was wonderful :) I then made my way up to Columbus to visit my friend Michelle. It was great to go up there without having all of my medical supplies. I then got to go out to dinner with all of my guy friends from WKU for my 25th birthday. On my actual birthday I was sick. I think it was food poisoning from the restaurant we went to, but no one else get sick, so who knows. I then found out that Danny had passed, and that just about broke my heart.

September I started dance classes again. It had been so long since I'd been able to complete a dance class, it felt amazing to do so! I just kept living life to it's fullest :)

October was yet another bump. I went for my appointment at Cleveland to check to make sure the rejection had cleared, and when they did the biopsy, they caused my right lung to collapse. So most of October I spent trying to get that pain under control. Wasn't as bad as the decortication surgery though. I even went back to work at the end of the month. Wendy's :D

November was boring. I don't mean that as a bad thing, I was very happy with boring. I got up, went to work, came home, went to dance, slept and ate. I got to go out the day after thanksgiving for some quality Black Friday shopping. It was great to do it without an O2 tank!!

December was full of Christmas Cheer :) All I can say is that I'm happy to have the holidays without having IVs, without having to worry about being sick, just quality time with family and friends.

That's 2009 in a nutshell... I can only hope that 2010 is even better!!