After what feels like…way too long, I think we’re finally gaining some traction and things are starting to finally happen with my transplant! These past few months, I’ve been completing the workup for both Medical City and Baylor Dallas hospitals, and I am starting to feel good about the progression. I will say, though, it feels like a total juggling act trying to keep all the procedures, appointments, and records straight. LOL! Even though some hospitals are cool with sharing test/procedure results, many also like to have their own team perform the procedures and tests. So it sometimes feels as if I’m doing the same thing over and over. My attitude: whatever it takes!

As I’ve met with the different transplant teams, I am proud and shocked when they say that they are impressed with my understanding of the process, medications, etc. It’s not like I haven’t been going through all of this for the past eleven years?? I guess I take it for granted that there are a lot of people who just go through the motions without fully researching/understanding what exactly is going on with them. Part of the reason I write this blog is so that people out there who are going through this same situation will have a better first-hand experience knowing what to expect, etc. I definitely didn’t have that knowledge my first time around, so I walked through the entire thing with blinders on. Why not share this info so it’s easier and less scary for others to experience, right?

Tomorrow, I will be going in for another heart cath to determine if my heart issues are still doing ok, and if Baylor is willing to move forward with listing me for a kidney. My normal cardiologist says everything should look good from his end. He had a great conversation with the Baylor cardiologist and he says they are totally on the same page regarding what needs to be done and what they are planning moving forward. He also said there are a lot of people backing me up/cheering me on from my previous transplant team, so I feel really positive that things are, hopefully, finally going to go my way. I’m also curious to see if all that Flow Therapy I did at the beginning of the year truly made a difference!

So, while I haven’t been listed just yet, this train is moving forward and hopefully it doesn’t slow down!

Links to donate:

Baylor Dallas – https://www.livingdonordallas.org/

Medical City Dallas – https://www.onemedicalpassport.com/?fid=978

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Things I’m thankful for today:

1. Ironically, in my last post, I was thankful for the fact that my skin care has helped me look younger than I am. Well, during one of my workups, not one, but TWO people thought my sister was my DAUGHTER! Wait…WHAT?? She, of course, was loving it (enter giant eyeroll here). Granted, she doesn’t need to wear makeup or do anything with her hair, so she naturally looks younger, but THAT much younger?? LOL! I was totally redeemed when that same week, several people at my dialysis clinic thought I was in my 30’s! Not sure where I truly fall in that spectrum, but I’ll take the 30’s comment any day! 😀

2. Dreams. When I was goung through my first transplant process, I had many complications, and I did have a point in time where I could not vision my future. Even though I had extreme faith that everything was going to be ok, a part of it was due to being a bit depressed that my life had changed so much. If someone were to ask me what I would be doing in 5 years, I had no answer. This time, though, I feel as if I’ve “been there, done that,” and my future looks more certain. What helps is the fact that I’ve re-embraced what my younger dreams had been. I recently went to see a friend perform at a community theater, and it re-lit my interest and dreams of performing. I used to be in theater a long time ago and loved it! Why did I give it up? Practicality. However, why not get back into it for fun? I plan on it! Same with travel. I have put it off for one reason or another (COVID didn’t help) and I want to get back into seeing the world again! These plans have given me a different type of hope for my future and I’m excited!

3. Mattel has just launched the first Type 1 Diabetic Barbie doll! How freakin’ cool is that?? While I’m naturally a fan b/c I played with Barbies all the time when I was younger, I have a total admiration for the fact that they are so inclusive of so many walks of life. They have really made a point to cover a huge diverse range of races, body types, and disabilities, and this latest addition can only help spread awareness of something too many people have to deal with! Bravo!