NEWEST ADDITION ... PART 5!

November 30 2009 - 5th sitting

IT'S COMPLETED ... well, almost :)! Today we added the shading! I just love how it turned out ... perfect Asian style tat!

We just have 1 more sitting to brighten up the colors ... and as my artist tells me ... to "tighten up" the tattoo!

Now ... on to my next piece ... :)!

Amazing Day ...

After a 'week from hell', I just received the best news ... a new 'transplant family member' who received her new lungs almost 3 weeks ago is finally on the speedy road to recovery! After some set backs, things are moving along nice and quick ... she was moved from ICU to Stepdown yesterday and now to the 7th Floor today! FANTASTIC NEWS!

I saw a couple of pictures of her and she is looking wonderful! We're only chatted via email and I have been keeping constant contact with her mother via email also ... we were hoping to be able to meet in person when I go back to Toronto for my 2 year assessment in February 2010 ... but the way things are going, she may be home again by that time ... which I truly hope she is! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ASHLEY!! It's amazing how connected you can become without meeting in person!

Funny, I just read back on my last comment and noticed that it will be 2 YEARS since my TX in February! That's just crazy! I can't even recall all of the wonderful and exciting things that I've accomplished these past 2 years ... there have been just so many! I am so thankful for this wonderful second life I've been given ... there are still days that I just stop and think in amazement at the whole thing.

I've met so many wonderful and amazing people and wouldn't change any of it for the world ... I miss my CF and TX family :)

Natalia receives her call!!!!

I've started following Natalia's blog and watched her story on CBC - it's quite amazing how some people touch others lives.

I pray for each and every CF and transplant patient that I meet - Natalia being no different. It's somewhat of a understanding - as all our stories are similar and we often share experiences - good or bad.

I didn't think that I would be posting so soon - but Natalia has gotten THE CALL!!

After a few hours wait to see if the lungs were suitable, Natalia has now entered surgery! I pray that the surgery is a success and that this amazing woman is able to become the mommy that she's prayed of being!

Sending positive thoughts and lots of strength you way Natalia!

Natalia's Story

Well, it seems that CBC is doing an absolutely fabulous job of covering CF, transplant, and organ donation ... I AM SO IMPRESSED!

Natalia is another CFer who has been placed on the transplant list and is awaiting new lungs ... CBC's Mark Kelley has documented her story in a 3 part mini-series On A Mission. Unfortunately, as of the last airing (Friday, Nov 20), Natalia has taken a turn for the worst and is now on a life saving (temporary) device - Nova Lung. This is only a temporary solution to keep Natalia alive as her own lungs have stopped working.

I'm praying that new lungs come quickly for Natalia - as her strength and determination remind me of myself. I just love her statement that new lungs WILL come - and YES they will Natalia! A girl after my own heart!

This is yet another amazing story of life, strength, and determination ...

Natalia's Story: On A Mission

Where has the time gone?

I've been so engulfed in 'life' that I've totally forgotten about my blog! I am going to try and post some past events and important dates ... finding the time is going to be an issue!

I've learned a few things in the past couple of weeks ... something that I had thought that I understood - not so! Being from a small town with only 80+ CF patients, one is often isolated and ignorant to the terrible things that this disease brings with it. Yes, I've learn of CFer's who have lost their battle with CF, but apart from my cousin in 1991, I haven't really been close to anyone. Not by choice ... but just the nature of this disease and the geographical issues. This has all changed since beginning my transplant journey.

I've met some of the most wonderful people ... and have had some great losses within these past 2 years. Something that I've been pretty sheltered from.

Living with CF hasn't been easy, but it has been a blessing (in disguise). I would not be the person that I am today if it were not for this 'horrid' disease. Life is unpredictable during the best times ... let alone tossing CF into the mix. Obviously I WANT a cure, but to be honest, I wouldn't change anything at this point! Strange hey? It's quite hard to explain - unless you've lived it and loved it!

I know my journey with these new lungs has just begun ... I've been able to do so much within the past 21 months that I would never have been able to do before. I know sometimes that I take things for granted and that I often feel invincible ... but for me, that's a part of survival.

For me, I've lived one journey, now I've been blessed to be able to experience another ... sometime not a lot of people have the opportunity to do ...

65_RedRoses

I've been following a blog entitled "65 Roses" since early 2008, when I was waiting for my transplant in Toronto. Unknown to me, Eva has documented her story through CBC New Network and it's airing TONIGHT!

I'm excited to see how her story has been documented - as often times the 'real' story isn't told ... rather, the airing of our stories turn more into nice, frilly, pretty stories. Who, living with CF has EVER described our lives as that???!!!

This, if anything will be an educational piece around CF, transplant and organ donation ... PLEASE WATCH!

65_RedRoses