stories of a real life wonder woman

First I wanted to give a little update on what I talked about last week. I have had some different realizations this week that have made my questions easier to deal with even if they aren't answers to my question. But the realizations have made me less emotional about things which is always good in my opinion. This week I was thinking how funny it is that I have been going into the society for quite some time now to volunteer but I still get nervous going in there sometimes. I don't know why but I do. They really just like having any kind of volunteers and they know that I am still learning different things. I really have no reason to still be nervous about going in there but I am and I am not sure why. All I know is that sometimes my fear prevents me from going in and that is never a good thing. In other news my first friend, Daniel, got married yesterday. Gosh it was a beautiful wedding and I am so glad I got to be there. Also his new wife, Caitlyn, looked like a babe in ...

Friday was my two year anniversary of my second transplant and tomorrow will be the seventeenth anniversary of my first one as well as the anniversary of the day I first got sick. This anniversary I got some really thoughtful gifts from my mom and it has me thinking of my favorite gifts. This years transplant-iversary gift will forever be among my favorite. A favorite drink (Hippo Huckleberry) special ordered and a beloved book (The Princess Bride) are always a good gift for me. Other gifts I thought of were my quilt from my grandma that took her two years to complete after I got to help pick out my fabric. Something else that came to mind was the year I wanted 4-6 of the Star Wars movies and a dictionary and then got just that. There is nothing really extravagant about these gifts but to me they are memorable. There is something to be said about the way a thoughtful gift makes you feel. For me there is no better feeling not just of being loved but of being known. Then I think of...

Today's appointment was really no big deal but since a few people have asked about it I thought maybe I should post something. Mom went with me to my appointment and it was an interesting day.  Cool thing that happened at today's appointment - I saw one of the doctor's nurse who used to work on 2400 (the kidney floor) and was my nurse. When she saw me she was so excited about how good I look. She hasn't seen me in a year so she definitely notices changes in me. Negative things that happened at today's appointment - We waited two hours before seeing the doctor which has never happened to me at OSF. Also we were not really impressed with this new doctor we met today but I may only see him once a year if even that. Did I mention we waited two hours - for a 15 minute appointment where absolutely nothing happened. But there were so many things that made up for having to wait so long. We went to the Peoria Zoo and got to see all the animals before it rained. We ...

Little health type update - I have an appointment tomorrow. It's no big deal. It is my two year post transplant follow up appointment. It has not been two years quite yet but they get you in when they can. Usually you go and see the surgeon who performed the surgery but in my case I will be seeing a new doctor because m surgeon moved to New York. Mostly it will just a be a fun day with mom. This week and weekend I spent a lot of time at my parents house. That tends to happen friends from out of town come to visit. I got to see my brother Cory and his baby - Houston. Then Krystle and her little guy Carter came to stay for the weekend. Mom and I also went with some friends at the beginning of the week to visit Lisa and Dustin and their little girl Emma. It has been a week filled with little kids. Yesterday while Krystle and Carter were at the house my nephews Matthew and Jeremiah were there in the morning and then after super Jess brought Malachi and Ian over. It was so fun to se...

I'm feeling a bit weird today and I am not sure why. Since last night I have had a headache, felt dizzy on and off, and I get really hot followed by feeling light headed. Sometimes I do have days like this because of the medications I am on. They don't happen very often but I do have days when the side effects of everything I am on is extreme. I also most likely need to go to the chiropractor for my headaches because my neck gets so out of whack. I have had some fun days this week though. I got to see my brother Kenny. I love spending time with him. Though we don't always agree he is someone I can always count on and someone who challenges me to be better. Still being friends after all these years feels like kind of a big deal. Yesterday I went with Kenny to "crash" a graduation party for a kid we have both known for many years because we are friends with his family (and now him) through camp. While we were at that party another kid we know from camp invited u...