Even though Thanksgiving has just passed, I still have a LOT to be thankful for! I’ll highlight just a few in this post as it will give you an update and insight into how things stand today.

First, I’m thankful to have my little fur-baby boy back home after a week of serious health issues! One of my kitties, Bugsy, started off feeling sick a few weekends ago. After going back and forth to the Vet and ER multiple times, several catheters and blockages, and heart failure fears, he finally had to have surgery – his urethra was blocked and they not only had to unblock it, but remove all the stones that were found in his bladder. His poor little body went through a lot of trauma and you can tell he was scared and confused. At one point, I was afraid I’d have to put him down! I don’t need to tell you that I was a hot MESS all that week worried about him. Thankfully, though, he came through like a champ and is now safely at home, purring up a storm and getting lots of cuddles and kisses!

Second, I’m happy to say that my insurance FINALLY came through! Just in time! I didn’t have to miss any prescription doses or appointments, so I’m as happy as a clam! I immediately called the transplant team to update them with my new info and they jumped on scheduling pretty quickly! Last week, I went in for my work-up (had to start over again since it’s been a year since the last work-up), and all is good, we’re just waiting for cardiac clearance. I might have to have another heart cath done (where they put a camera up through your groin to see how your heart is doing), but that’s ok… I’m just ready to get this ball ROLLING!

In the meantime, I’ve been told that I should probably get listed at more than one hospital and sign up for several programs that can help financially with travel, lodging, etc. I have a list of homework items to work on! For my first transplant, I was only listed for the one hospital system (Baylor), so this is a first for me. In a way, I feel as if I’m betraying my doctors at Baylor because I’ve been with them for so long! However, I need to view the bigger picture and make myself a priority. The process this time seems to have been dragging, and if being listed at more than one place will speed things up, I’ll go for it!

My very optimistic hope is that I can have this transplant by next summer (2025) if all goes well! I’m more than ready to jump back in the saddle again and get my life going!

Link to donate – http://www.LivingDonorFortWorth.org

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Things I’m thankful for today:

1.  I’ve had a full week without my blood pressure totally crashing down! This has been a constant lately, and my cardiologist is looking into it, but I’m thankful that I’ve had a full week of actually doing physical work!

2. I’m thankful for all the vet doctors who helped keep Bugsy alive! They really did a great job with all the random issues that kept popping up. I could tell their staff truly cared and it made me feel better as a pet-mom knowing he was in good hands.

3. On that same note, thank you to my parents and sister who also helped me keep it together with their ongoing support and help at home. The last few weeks with all that was going on with insurance and Bugsy and crashing blood pressures, my stress level has been through the roof. Having them there to keep me focused and in a positive mood really made a difference!

4. Christmas music! Yes, I’ve already got the Christmas music playing in my car, at home, etc. Nothing is better at getting me into the holiday mood than listening to the warm fuzzies coming out of my speakers. 🙂