Lungs for Mandy

So, I thought it would be funny to tell the hostess that is was Grandpa Bob’s birthday! Well, it was funny, but I will never, ever do it again. Our waiter comes to the table and says aloud, ” I hear we have a birthday boy today.” I pointed towards my Grandpa and he totally denied it–Apparently, the restaurant in which were dining has a birthday policy of giving a free meal to the person who has a birthday. The only requirement is that they have to show an I.D. to prove it’s their  birthday. Gramps wouldn’t even pull his wallet out, he said,”don’t rush me to 80, I’m old enough.” I felt like a total dope. I didn’t want a free meal;  I just wanted to embarrass him. I told the waiter that my Grandpa’s birthday was in the future and they ended up giving him a bowl of ice cream. The waiter totally knew I was lying and to top it off  on the way out, Gramps decided to tell the waiter it was all a joke. I was totally humiliated, we all laughed the whole way home!!

Well, we arrived safely home from Georgia and what a trip it was! I slept for nearly six hours today while Mom drove home. Needless to say, I feel energized and unable to sleep! Oh well, I still have a lot of homework to do before tomorrow and Weds., nothing like waiting until the last minute aye?

This afternoon while making a pit stop at a gas station in Kentucky, a woman wearing a lung transplant t-shirt walked right passed by me. I felt an immediate surge in my chest and of course I had track her down and talk to he. I mean really, we may not know one another, but we’re family. Right? Anyway, we chatted for a few minutes and it seems she is having some rejection issues. Since it had only been 7 months since her transplant in Iowa, I explained that the doctors shouldn’t have any problems fixing her issues. It is such a small world..I mean really, two lung transplant patients meeting in the middle Kentucky–geez.

My day started out wonderful today! The ending isn’t too bad either except the apartment has not water because of a messed up pipe downstairs in the basement. Tomorrow is going to be shower free Thursday!!!! WOHOOO!

Back to this morning.  I stopped at STL Bread Co near my place for one of their new Gingerbread Lattes. I was thrilled until my debit card was rejected three times. Finally, the cashier noticed that it had expired. As usual, I did not have much cash. I decided to change my order to a regular coffee that I could afford with change. The cashier couldn’t void my initial order without the manager so to the front the manager appeared. I explained the situation and the manager decided to buy my latte. She stated that she had seen me there in the mornings and studying there in the evenings, in her eyes I was a good neighborhood customer and she wanted to help me out. Little does she know that I’m not that good of a customer. I typically go to the ST Bread Co (which it is still called in my neighborhood, not Panera) for the free WiFi, coffee and bagels. Usually I spend no more than $4 when I visit. Oh well, it’s the thought that counts. Right? Anyway, that gingerbread latte was the best latte ever –was it because it was free or was it just tasty? Hmm, maybe I’ll try the same scheme tomorrow. JUST JOKING!!!!

When that happened this morning I felt like crying –isn’t that weird? I suppose it’s just nice when people are nice. I often feel like I’m too nice until something like that happens. I’m glad that I’m a nice person even if I do get walked on sometimes!

Oh, I’m sure you want to know about The Creag? She is doing very well! Yesterday she met the man of her dreams at the dog park. His name is Fritz and he is a dachshund beagle mix–they will make beautiful babies together! Long luxurious ears, caramel eyes and that silly howl! I can’t wait to be a Grandma. Okay, now I’m just slap-happy, I better get to bed; 6am will be her before I know it.

Sleep well and have wonderful dreams….

October 2009 has officially be named the wetest October since 1913. So it hasn’t been my imagination about the rain and depression. Fortunatly, tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 50—ahh the perfect day! I want to go up north to alton to see the trees, but they may already be gone from the trees.

Started a new Yoga class at school two nights a week and it should get me back in the swing of being active again. I’ve been so totally lazy lately and I need a major change. THe instructor is really sweet and honest. Last night a girl came in late to class sneezing and coughing. Finally, the instructor Michele told the girl to “Beat It” in a nice tone. I wish all professors/teachers would ask their sick students to leave. Still no word on the vaccine at Barnes! Although, I have a tip on the vaccine at a downtown location. I hope the get it by the weekend if possible.

I’ve been working on my resume’ and it’s a HUGE challenge! Needless to say, there are LOTS of holes in my resume.

Good Evening.

I hope this post has you all doing well and enjoying life.

I’ve been down for a few days now and I would like to blame it on PMS, but it’s not that time right now. It seems as if I am worrying about way too many things right now and the rain helped at all!

I’ve recently moved from slightly scared of the H1N1 virus to full-fledged scared. Mom recenty told me about the autopsies taken from some of the victims of H1N1 and the virus really appears to attack the lungs BIG TIME. Yes, Mom told me, but I would have heard it anyway..eventually. The vaccine hasn’t arrived at Barnes yet and when it does arrive pregnant women and children will get it first. The expected arrival date for immune-supressed people is mid to late November!  Everyone around me seems to be sick and it’s surprising that I haven’t gotten the virus. I’ve never been the type of person to panic about getting sick but this swine flu has me! ? I’m trying to ignore the illness around me, but how can I when EVERYONE (it seems) is coughing. Actually, right now, I have a headache and I’m wondering if it is the start to something.. Weird huh? At this point I just need to focus on staying healthy and not getting run-down because there are no third chances for me as far as transplant. I don’t want time to run out before I’ve done everything on my list. I mean if it something cool I die doing well, that’s one thing, but dying from the flu would really suck. Okay, I feel better now that I got that out, but I am still concerned about this headache. Hold on; let me get some Tylenol.

Okay, I’m back. Now with some good news! The fundraiser lung walk went really well last weekend. The last I heard we earned #35,000 and I am sure that they haven’t gotten eveything counted yet. I think that’s a pretty good amount for as low as donations were this year due to the recession. The event was exciting since I was so involved this year.  A week before the walk, I was asked by the president to become a board member. I’m looking forward to joining and becoming more involved with the organization.  Additionally, I completed the guest speaking volunteer program two weeks ago. It was fabulous!! I spend a three days talking to 5th graders about lung transplant and my journey. Fifth graders you ask…Well, the kids I spoke to were from  Rockwood and participated in a honors-type program at a creative learning center. The kids get to chose what they learn about for 16 weeks and about 30 of them decided on organ transplant.  It worked out real good since I can relate to a child VERY well. They asked me what I was doing when I received my call the first transplant and I told them the entire story about how I told my nurse I had to pick Scott up from work and that we were going to the Dodger vs Cubs game that night. First this kids boo’d me because I said I was a Cubs fan and then they laughed! I even mentioned my search for cheap gas along Santa Monica Blvd on my way to ICU. And the fact that I remembered to put money in the meter on my way into the hospital. It was very nice to reflect and to share my experience with the kids. The whole point of the speaking engagements is to introduce myself to the class, explain my story and ask the children to pass the story onto others that may not know about organ donation.

School is moving along slow some days and fast other days. Tuesdays and Thursdays become by busy days because I start at 8am until 10  then I go back at 5:30 for  Yoga class. I was desperate for one credit hour so I decided on an exercise class. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow. I’m hoping it will help calm me down!!

Creagle is even more spoiled than the last time I wrote. She really picks up on things quickly - She understands when she is going out for a quick bathroom break or a long bathroom break. She hates the short ones! So when I call her to follow me down the stairs

she’ll howl at me until I grab a leash. If I don’t grb a leash she will not come follow.

 (Halloween photo — It’s velcro so she can’t get it off)