Wow! Has Fall arrived already??? It feels as if just yesterday I was loving on the first buds of Spring! That’s ok, though because Fall is probably my fave season for tons of reasons, most of all because it’s “sweater season” and I love me some big, squishy, oversized sweaters! 😀

These past few weeks have been a non-stop medley of doctor appointments for both heart and kidney. I walked many many miles (and got lost several times) around the maze of Medical City to prep for my kidney, and met with several different docs for my heart at Baylor. When I last left off, we were still wondering whether I would have heart bypass surgery or a heart transplant. I wasn’t sure how to feel about this until my friend Kameron presented it in a very positive way. She said that either way, whatever happens is how it SHOULD happen. That if I end up with a transplant, it meant that the bypass probably wouldn’t have worked for me and vice versa. I loved that! So, I took on that mentality of thinking that either decision they made was a good one. There were no negatives to be seen here! Well, the ending decision was bypass surgery, and one of those appts last week was with my surgeon. He’s confirmed that it will be a triple bypass surgery, and I was touched when he hugged me before leaving our appt telling me that he would do everything he could to take care of me. It’s hard not to feel like just a number for some of these doctors, but this time, I felt like he was actually “seeing” me as a person with feelings, etc. That makes me feel really good!

So, starting next week, I’ll be an official member of The Zipper Club! For those not-in-the-know, this would be the rejoiced group of people who have lived through an open-heart surgery. During the surgery, the surgeon needs to remove a vein or artery from somewhere else in the body to use as a graft to bypass/go around the clogs in the heart. Most of the time, this is taken from the arm or leg, and the scar that is left behind is long and looks like a zipper going up your arm/leg. Not all scars look bad, but I’m still praying that my zipper is small and not noticeable!

Right now, I’m just prepping for what I’ll need after the surgery since I won’t be able to raise my arms, lift items, or drive for awhile. This should be FUN! Thankfully, I’ve had some friends who have been through this before and who have all given me excellent tips to help me mentally prep for this. Thank you all from the bottom of my clogged up heart for your help! It truly has calmed my fears of the unknown! Also, seeing how all of you have made it through with a much happier and healthier result is very inspiring! So unlike the Blue Oyster Cult (who wrote “Don’t Fear the Reaper” when he was dealing with a heart issue), I’m going to choose the opposite and look forward to the better life that should follow! Note: I know that was a really random reference, but I discovered it when researching a good song title for my post… hahaha…

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. My Dad’s getting new teeth! I pray that all goes smoothly this week when he gets all his teeth removed to get new dentures. He’s been excited about getting new teeth, but I’m sure it’s a bit scary to think of having all your current teeth taken out!

2. Everyone who has been supporting me throughout this crazy journey! I try not to ask for any help, but all of you have been there in your own way to help show your support and love for me, even if it’s just to hang out and help me feel normal! I really really need that! It’s hard not to get overwhelmed with some of this, but you all help me forget it temporarily and continue to make my life fun. 🙂

3. I had a successful dialysis procedure Friday. They had to change out my dialysis port since it was no longer working properly and I was really nervous that it would be as traumatic as it was when I had to get it put in (at this butcher shop of a clinic in Ft. Worth)! All went totally smooth and I didn’t feel a thing! Of course, the healing process is another story, but I can deal with that!

4. The portable steamer. Where was this when I was in college and had a permanent ironing board in my living room??? Once I started using the steamer, I have learned to love it!

5. There’s always a food “Thankful item”… Birthday cake pretzels! Glutino just released a new item called Birthday Cake Pretzels and they taste just like those icing-covered animal crackers. I haven’t had those since I was in college and I’m in heaven! Carm, thank you for helping me discover the Glutino choc-covered pretzels in the first place… I’m hooked!