Lungs for Mandy

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)

So, Jack Johnson sings this song, well, actually I’m not sure about the title. Anyway, the main verse of the song is: slow down everybody you’re moving to fast; friends can’t catch when you’re moving like that. Mr. Johnson loves to speak about the world today and  how everyone is so busy they don’t slow down to enjoy life. Lately, I have been moving too fast, trying to do everything in the world to make my life seem more worth while. When I heard Jack’s song yesterday, I realized I’ve been moving too fast. With the way my health issues are some people worry that I am sick when I don’t post. That has not been the case this time around –I’m actually doing very well!

I had a visit with the docs yesterday where we pretty much spoke about my schooling, more specifically about my hatred for math and biology and the H1N1 flu vaccine. It’s funny to tell a doctor you hate Biology since it is the center of their universe. Very little of the attention was focused on my health other than my numbers all look good! Actually better since my last visit. My lung function is moving in the correct direction.. upward. I’ve been   taking a break from exercising until a new YMCA opens up in a few weeks and the lack of exercise really didn’t make a difference in my numbers. hmmm? I’m wondering if I ever need to exercise again …actually it is enjoyable so I will restart my former regiment. 

As mentioned before, biology is not my subject. Surprise, surprise!  I failed my first exam BIG time, but I have been studying two hours every night and the results should be noticeable. hopefully anyway. In addition to biology, I am taking a media class all about persuasion and I LOVE IT! The teacher is great! I actually look forward to Mondays and Weds…….There are not tests, but tons of writing and projects.

My two cases with Voices for Children are pretty much finished. One little boy is being adopted by a foster mom (Yay) and my other little girl is living back with her mother who will hopefully stay drug-free in order to keep her daughter. I haven’t decided if I am going to take on more cases with VFC or not–I love the kids, but I wonder if I can provided enough time with them. I’ll just have to see what cases come my way. I mentioned MTS recently and I will be started  a program next week. MTS is the organ procurement center for the mid-west states. Anyway I will be speaking to gifted 5th graders about organ donation. Apparently, these kids are doing biology at 11 and specifically chose this class to understand organ donation better so, they should be a good audience. The director did mention that I shouldn’t get too graphic (which I love to do) because the kids get queasy stomachs. I guess I should bring my photos of the incision and scars…bummer! I can’t wait to hear the questions they will ask during question/answer session at the end. It will be interesting to say the least.