I didn't have the heart to take Kristie to have her EKG or chest x-ray today so we stayed home and hung out.
I've decided one major medical appointment a week is enough.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Kristie's appt
Well we managed to get thru the 5 hour appointment on Monday! We met with an Intake Coordinator, a Kidney Specialist (Nephrologist), Surgeon, and Social Worker, all individually. I must say they were some of the nicest people I have ever met.
What I appreciate most is that they talked to Kristie too at her level.
Nigel and I were extremely impressed with the surgeon who took the time to show Kristie with his hands over her hands the model of the kidneys and how they would put a new one into her body - then showed her on her body where it would go.
Kristie has to go thru lots of tests...they drew 12 vials of blood! She was brave! She has to have an EKG, a pap smear, eccocardiogram (sp?), chest x-ray, TB test, get a series of shots for immunizations against Hepatitis A and B and pnemonia and that's just the beginning. I'm only telling her a few things at a time. Once those are done, the transplant team meets to approve her (or not) for the transplant.
Then those people who want to be tested as a possible living donor can start their testing processes. If they live out of our area, they can do the testing where they live and just send the reports to Swedish Medical Center. If you are interested in being a possible donor, I will email the name of our coordinator at Swedish and they will let you know what needs to be done.
They are also putting me in touch with a Mom whose daughter underwent a transplant last year...she is developmentally delayed and is 32 years old. It'll be good to talk with a mom who has had the experience.
As nice as they were, this whole thing is still overwhelming and quite sad. I know I have to be strong for Kristie but to put it bluntly, it totally sucks.
What I appreciate most is that they talked to Kristie too at her level.
Nigel and I were extremely impressed with the surgeon who took the time to show Kristie with his hands over her hands the model of the kidneys and how they would put a new one into her body - then showed her on her body where it would go.
Kristie has to go thru lots of tests...they drew 12 vials of blood! She was brave! She has to have an EKG, a pap smear, eccocardiogram (sp?), chest x-ray, TB test, get a series of shots for immunizations against Hepatitis A and B and pnemonia and that's just the beginning. I'm only telling her a few things at a time. Once those are done, the transplant team meets to approve her (or not) for the transplant.
Then those people who want to be tested as a possible living donor can start their testing processes. If they live out of our area, they can do the testing where they live and just send the reports to Swedish Medical Center. If you are interested in being a possible donor, I will email the name of our coordinator at Swedish and they will let you know what needs to be done.
They are also putting me in touch with a Mom whose daughter underwent a transplant last year...she is developmentally delayed and is 32 years old. It'll be good to talk with a mom who has had the experience.
As nice as they were, this whole thing is still overwhelming and quite sad. I know I have to be strong for Kristie but to put it bluntly, it totally sucks.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Life is Good
Have you heard of the "Life is Good" company? They have hats, t-shirts, etc. with the logo: Life is Good and little stick men playing golf, football, basketball, etc. Very cool. I have a hat, Nigel has a hat, I have a shirt I wear for pajamas and I have a round sticker in my office that says "Life is Good".
That is how I felt while visiting Katie, Nich and Calla this past week. Kristie and I were there for 4 days and just enjoyed playing with Calla. She is so fun...bright and inquisitive. She's reaching for every little thing now, figuring out how her hands work. Its fun to watch her. She's 6 months old and has changed so much this past month! She's sitting up now but doesn't know how to catch herself when she falls over. She laughs and smiles alot!
She's so adorable. Will post photos later this week!
Katie and I managed to get some shopping in too...I found a cocktail dress to wear to my Park Lane convention next month in Las Vegas and she found some clothes to wear to her conference in New York next week. Yay!
We're going to see the Bucket List with Jack Nicholas and Morgan Freeman - will let you know if its worth seeing.
P.S. the big appointment is tomorrow and I still haven't looked at the packet they sent...oh well. Say a prayer all goes well.
That is how I felt while visiting Katie, Nich and Calla this past week. Kristie and I were there for 4 days and just enjoyed playing with Calla. She is so fun...bright and inquisitive. She's reaching for every little thing now, figuring out how her hands work. Its fun to watch her. She's 6 months old and has changed so much this past month! She's sitting up now but doesn't know how to catch herself when she falls over. She laughs and smiles alot!
She's so adorable. Will post photos later this week!
Katie and I managed to get some shopping in too...I found a cocktail dress to wear to my Park Lane convention next month in Las Vegas and she found some clothes to wear to her conference in New York next week. Yay!
We're going to see the Bucket List with Jack Nicholas and Morgan Freeman - will let you know if its worth seeing.
P.S. the big appointment is tomorrow and I still haven't looked at the packet they sent...oh well. Say a prayer all goes well.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Bruce Willis
I have to say that I secretly have a crush on Bruce Willis. We watched Live Free Die Hard last night - against Nigel's wishes - he wanted to watch Mr. Bean's holiday which he dragged me to the theatre to see when it first came out last year. Live Free Die Hard rocks! Its quirky, funny, witty, fast paced, action packed...and Bruce is nice to look at too! His side kick has been in numerous movies and is really good as well, I forget his name. See above. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend.
Another GREAT Bruce movie is The Kid - a fantastic family film. Kristie owns it.
Treena, Kristie and I went to see 27 Dresses. SO GOOD! A true chick flick and very funny. We laughed out loud several times. For women it brings back memories of being a bridesmaid and those awful dresses we had to wear to play out the fantasy our friend has in her head for her special day.
I did a training show yesterday for my friend Jo and her friends and had such a FUN time. Thank goodness I switched. I walked into the show with 2 little bags and set up in 5 minutes. They LOVED the jewelry and they had such a fun time creating their own sale getting the $12 deals. Business is exciting again.
Kristie and I are headed to see Katie and Nich and our FAVORITE BABY IN THE WHOLE WORLD on Tuesday. Snugbugging with Calla - that's what I'm looking forward to.
I LOVE
putting smiles on women's faces
watching Calla's face
watching Kristie smile - she smiles all the time!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Whats Important?
Kristie belongs to a social group that meets every Thursday night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. They are all adults with physical and mental disabilities. She LOVES this time and will not miss it for anything!
Last night was the long awaited Talent Show held at the Carco Theatre. Kristie usually sings the song by Whitney Houston - The Greatest Love of All - its her signature song! However, she chose a different song to sing this time. It was Paula Abduhl's song - Straight Up.
I LOVE this song! I know all the words and we sing it in the car all the time. (am humming it right now) So I was excited to hear Kristie sing. And she wanted me to go. To be honest I just wanted to watch HER sing, not everybody else. I know, I'm a selfish mom...sigh...but sitting there for 90 minutes was not going to be my cup of tea.
Little did I know what a blessing it would be. The delight and joy on each person's face as they were called on stage for their performance was priceless. And they cheered each other on. As they walked on stage, you would hear shouts from the audience "Way to go" "You can do it". And then afterwards "Great job Kristie" "that was really good dancing Willy".
I was surrounded by positive, uplifting, encouraging people who were living in the moment and having fun with their friends. How cool is that?
I realized that if we all approached life like they did, we would all be much happier!
Kristie teaches me so much...it is through her that I learn to appreciate the little things. I learn to slow down and look at the world around me. I learn how to be a better person.
Last night was the long awaited Talent Show held at the Carco Theatre. Kristie usually sings the song by Whitney Houston - The Greatest Love of All - its her signature song! However, she chose a different song to sing this time. It was Paula Abduhl's song - Straight Up.
I LOVE this song! I know all the words and we sing it in the car all the time. (am humming it right now) So I was excited to hear Kristie sing. And she wanted me to go. To be honest I just wanted to watch HER sing, not everybody else. I know, I'm a selfish mom...sigh...but sitting there for 90 minutes was not going to be my cup of tea.
Little did I know what a blessing it would be. The delight and joy on each person's face as they were called on stage for their performance was priceless. And they cheered each other on. As they walked on stage, you would hear shouts from the audience "Way to go" "You can do it". And then afterwards "Great job Kristie" "that was really good dancing Willy".
I was surrounded by positive, uplifting, encouraging people who were living in the moment and having fun with their friends. How cool is that?
I realized that if we all approached life like they did, we would all be much happier!
Kristie teaches me so much...it is through her that I learn to appreciate the little things. I learn to slow down and look at the world around me. I learn how to be a better person.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Old v. New
The Old Rules vs. The New Rules
- Don't wear white after Labor Day
- Do wear white in in the winter and black in the summer - so chic
- Don't wear black and navy together
- Mix black with navy - or brown
- Don't wear different shades of black together
- Mix black with black, whatever the tones
- Never mix two different prints or patterns in the same outfit
- Mixed patterns look fresh when matched according to color tones
- Metallic pieces are for evening only
- Metallics are for day, too. They're the new neutral
- Don't wear costume jewelry
- Faux can be fabulous - wear fashion jewelry (but not cheap jewelry)
- Jeans are for daytime only
- Jeans are hot and sexy for evening - with heels and an embellished top
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Finding Your Destiny
Here's some GREAT words of wisdom from my favorite minister, Joyce Meyer:
"We wonder, What am I to do with my life? What is my purpose here? Does God have a calling on my life? God answers these questions through our natural gifts and abilities. He leads us to our purpose through the natural skills and unique talents He bestows upon us. God-given gifts are the skills a person easily performs without formal training. We derive great pleasure from doing what we are naturally good at doing.
If you aren't sure of your purpose, just do what you are good at doing and then watch God confirm you by blessing your endeavors. Don't spend your life trying to do what you are not gifted to do. I tried to grow a garden and can tomatoes and sew my husband's clothes. I wasn't at all good at any of those things and I despised trying. It was obvious that God wasn't calling me to grow and preserve vegetables or to sew. But what if no one enjoyed gardening or canning or making clothes? God keeps our world in balance by giving each of us natural talent and pleasure in doing what needs to be done for the good of everyone around us.
We know we are operating in our gifts and calling when what we do ministers life to others. If what we do makes us miserable and fills us with a sense of dread, its possible we are not in God's perfect will. God gives us peace and joy to let us know we are fulfilling his perfect plan.
I encourage you to look at what you enjoy, what you're good at, what God is giving you grace to do - and then let God be God in your life. He wants to flow through you in many different ways but it may not be the same way he flows through others. Trust his ability in and through you and don't be afraid to be unique."
So, I'm thinking about the answers to these questions:
What am I good at?
What do I enjoy?
What am I good at without trying too hard?
And, if I'm good at a certain thing, does it bring me joy when I do it?
And, when I do those things, does it help other people?
If so, in what way?
Here's what I'm thinking...
I'm good at helping women think about what they really want.
I'm good at helping women explore their options.
I'm good at helping women draw boundaries.
I'm good at helping women see the bottom line.
I'm good at helping women realize that they don't have to accept the status quo!
I'm good at helping others look at the big picture
I'm good at helping them take baby steps to realize their goals
I'm good at helping them set those goals
But what I'm really good at and have the most fun doing is presenting information (with a sense of humor) to groups of people. I know this is a gift from God. A talent he has given me to use to help women improve their lives.
What's your destiny?
"We wonder, What am I to do with my life? What is my purpose here? Does God have a calling on my life? God answers these questions through our natural gifts and abilities. He leads us to our purpose through the natural skills and unique talents He bestows upon us. God-given gifts are the skills a person easily performs without formal training. We derive great pleasure from doing what we are naturally good at doing.
If you aren't sure of your purpose, just do what you are good at doing and then watch God confirm you by blessing your endeavors. Don't spend your life trying to do what you are not gifted to do. I tried to grow a garden and can tomatoes and sew my husband's clothes. I wasn't at all good at any of those things and I despised trying. It was obvious that God wasn't calling me to grow and preserve vegetables or to sew. But what if no one enjoyed gardening or canning or making clothes? God keeps our world in balance by giving each of us natural talent and pleasure in doing what needs to be done for the good of everyone around us.
We know we are operating in our gifts and calling when what we do ministers life to others. If what we do makes us miserable and fills us with a sense of dread, its possible we are not in God's perfect will. God gives us peace and joy to let us know we are fulfilling his perfect plan.
I encourage you to look at what you enjoy, what you're good at, what God is giving you grace to do - and then let God be God in your life. He wants to flow through you in many different ways but it may not be the same way he flows through others. Trust his ability in and through you and don't be afraid to be unique."
So, I'm thinking about the answers to these questions:
What am I good at?
What do I enjoy?
What am I good at without trying too hard?
And, if I'm good at a certain thing, does it bring me joy when I do it?
And, when I do those things, does it help other people?
If so, in what way?
Here's what I'm thinking...
I'm good at helping women think about what they really want.
I'm good at helping women explore their options.
I'm good at helping women draw boundaries.
I'm good at helping women see the bottom line.
I'm good at helping women realize that they don't have to accept the status quo!
I'm good at helping others look at the big picture
I'm good at helping them take baby steps to realize their goals
I'm good at helping them set those goals
But what I'm really good at and have the most fun doing is presenting information (with a sense of humor) to groups of people. I know this is a gift from God. A talent he has given me to use to help women improve their lives.
What's your destiny?
Friday, January 11, 2008
New Rule
Okay, so the new rule in our house is that we don't talk about transplants, shots, doctors, doctor appointments, until its the day before the event. For example, if Kristie has a doctor's appointment, she's not allowed to talk about it until the day before.
We have the big appointment coming up on January 28th and Swedish Medical Center sent me a few little booklets to read but I'm not reading them until the 27th.
Kristie is not allowed to talk about getting her monthly EPO shot (which she had yesterday) until the day before the shot.
Essentially cuts down on worrying for everyone.
Maybe the rule will change but for now it seems to be working.
Man, this is hard.
We have the big appointment coming up on January 28th and Swedish Medical Center sent me a few little booklets to read but I'm not reading them until the 27th.
Kristie is not allowed to talk about getting her monthly EPO shot (which she had yesterday) until the day before the shot.
Essentially cuts down on worrying for everyone.
Maybe the rule will change but for now it seems to be working.
Man, this is hard.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Katie Jo
This is a photo of Katie and I freezing in New York a few years ago...but we had SO MUCH FUN!Things I love about Katie
Her attitude and flexibility in almost any situation
Her red hair
The sound of her laugh
Her snide voice when she makes fun of you
Her love of literature; she loves to be surrounded by books
Her amazing writing
Her ability to captivate an audience when presenting just about anything!
Her culinary skills - no recipes needed
Watching her be an amazing, loving, patient Mom to Calla Suzanna
Her love of t.v. (and Kermit)
The way she loves Kristie and Nicholas
Okay, now I'm crying...
I love you Katie Jo.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Friends Forever
I love Charlie Brown and Snoopy! It's National Friendship Week. Thank you to everyone for being such good friends!
Kristie goes in for her monthly appointment tomorrow. Blood draw and EPO shot...not fun for her. Please keep those prayers coming.
If you or someone you know wants to be an email buddy with Kristie, please let me know. We'll try to get her computer up and running in the next few weeks - she has a system that talks so she can check emails independently...its cool.
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