I’d like to start this post by reflecting on the fact that we made it through a tough and crazy year! Almost everyone I’ve talked to has had more frustrations and obstacles than normal this year, so I’d like to give a high-five to all of us who have overcome those issues and made it to the end of 2025! I have always tried to be optimistic about the upcoming new year and have always set up at least one resolution to keep me motivated for the future. Have I always stuck to them? Of course not. I AM human! LOL! For 2025, my resolution was to try something new and I did. I’ve been taking classes for Voice Acting for 6 months now, and am LOVING it! This year, my resolution is simple – “keep going”! That could be with my health, with my activities at home, with my progress in trying a side hustle or two, anything! As long as I’m moving forward!

So for my update: it’s been two months, and I feel almost back to normal! My heart is doing great, my lung feels fully healed, and I’ve been given the FREEDOM of driving again, going up the stairs, and lifting most items (I’m still limited with the lifting thing due to my dialysis port)! I have even started Cardiac Rehab, which is basically just working out while being monitored. I used to make it a semi-regular thing to work-out, but I’ve been away from it for several years, so I’ve basically had to start from the beginning. It’s tough starting again, but once my muscles were reminded of the process, it should get easier! I just have to “keep going”!

So, the big question above? For New Years itself, I don’t have any big plans. I have to get up early the next morning, so I’m not going wild. However, the long-term picture looks good! I do have more plans to travel, to FINALLY getting my kidney, and in doing so, I’m going back into the work-force again! Woohoo! (I am putting this in writing that I’m actually really looking forward to working again!) So….what are YOU doing this New Years?? I’m praying that 2026 is a much brighter and productive for everyone!

Link to donate:

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

************

Things I’m thankful for today:

1. Freedom! It’s such a simple thing we totally take for granted, but just being able to get out and drive wherever I want to is so satisfying! Being able to climb the stairs to escape into my room or my living space upstairs is comforting! No one likes being restricted, and it feels so good to have these basic items available to me again!

2. GF Puff Pastry. Ever since Sweet Loren’s started selling GF puff pastry, I’ve been a fanatic about making puff pastry food! I’m addicted! My waistline might not like it, but my belly definitely does!

3. Flexible opinions. When I got home from the hospital and wasn’t able to do so much, we made a family decision to go “simple” for Christmas. No fuss, no crazy decorating (like we usually do), etc. Instead of being sad that we couldn’t put up our family decorations, we just went all-in on the “simple” theme and ordered one of those decorated pop-up trees that are ready in seconds! Instead of stockings, we bought random gift bags, and our big dinner was shared with some family friends, so less work! I’m very lucky to have a family that just “rolls with it” and makes fun on these occasions!

4. Fateful placements. This may seem like a crazy thing to put here on this platform, but when we sold my dad’s car to a complete stranger this week, that stranger turned out to be living with kidney failure and is also waiting for a kidney transplant! It’s his first round of going through this process, so we ended up talking a lot about what to expect, etc. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and there’s a reason that man was chosen to be put in my path. Who would have thought that selling a car would give me a new kidney friend? 🙂