You've Been Given the Gift of Life, Give it Back!

Welcome friends and family!

Thank you for visiting my blog. It documents my amazing journey from pre to post double lung transplant. I am a 37 year old mother and wife with Cystic Fibrosis who has been more greatly blessed than I could ever imagine possible!

It has been a bumpy ride, but God has given me strength, love, friendship, and, FINALLY, health. My prayers have been answered, my miracle was granted, and I want to share the joy of my new life with you.

If you are a first time visitor, please take a moment to watch The Miracle of Transplantation video below. To me, pictures speak a thousand words.

My entries begin in April of 2008 and my double lung transplant was December 10. Scroll down to my blog archive and you can read from the beginning or jump around. If you are looking for a specific topic, you can use the search engine.

Please feel free to contact me with questions or feedback, I would love to hear from you!

I hope I can help you to experience the love God has for each and every one of us!

May God Bless You with Miracles in Your Life! Nancy


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Friday, January 16, 2009

Major Milestones

Hello friends!



Today I have had two major milestones. First, I got to my appointment at the hospital without using a wheelchair (I walked the whole way, hooray!). Second, we had to take my dad to the airport to get a rental car (more about that in a moment) and on the way home Mom and I stopped at IKEA to do my walking for the day. I walked the entire IKEA store, BOTH floors! Please pinch me, this doesn't even seem possible. What a wonderful feeling!



The initial study appointment went well. The study I am participating in involves the inhalation of an anti-rejection drug that is currently only approved for oral ingestion. If I am chosen for the test group, I will inhale Cyclosporine 3 times a week for 2 to 3 years. This is a phase three study, meaning it is a follow-up to other studies and the last step before FDA approval. I do not know if I am in the medicine or the standard care (no medicine, just monitoring) group. Early studies have shown significant reduction of rejection in individuals who used inhaled Cyclosporine, so please pray I am chosen for the medicine group. I will find out which group I have been assigned to next Friday.





I am excited to report that I approved my latest book today, My Quest for New Lungs, which is an unedited transcript of my blog starting in April and ending December 31, 2008 and including all posts, pictures, and comments. As I mentioned before, I made the book for myself so I would have a record of my blog, but several of you have asked for copies, so I will put it online for you to purchase if you would like. The price I need to charge in order to break even is $20, the book is 824 pages! If you would be interested in ordering you can go to:


https://www.createspace.com/3369179 . It will also be available on Amazon in about 10 days.



I mentioned bringing my dad to get a rental car, well, let me tell you why. He is on his way to Baltimore to attend the inauguration events in Washington. Now, I have never mentioned politics on my blog, that isn't my focus, and I certainly don't want to offend anyone, but I must tell you how excited I am about the swearing in of Barack O'Bama. Having read both of his books and following him closely through the election, I think he is an amazing man who will do great things for our country. I am thrilled that my father has the opportunity to be there (whether he can see anything or not); what a historic and momentous day for our country!

Well, I have written enough. Hannah and Scott are on their way, so don't be concerned if you don't hear from me for a few days. I will share all about our visit when they leave on Monday.

God bless you all! Nancy

5 comments:

Blomquist Blog said...

Wow Nancy!

Forget the baby steps.....you just take one giant step after another. Great job! I am so proud of you for all that you are accomplishing. I could hear the confidence in your message...it is coming back to you as you conquer these hurdles. You go girl!

Enjoy your wonderful weekend with Scott and Hannah. They will be so impressed to see how well you are doing. I can only imagine the hope it gives them to see how well you are doing.

Our love to you all!

Love,

Debbie

Kelley said...

Go Barack! That's awesome your Dad is doing that. I can't believe you walked all of Ikea and to the hospital. Sometimes I don't even feel like doing that much, so I'm highly impressed. You are an inspiration, always will be.

The Basye-Arland Crew! said...

Hey there Gal! You are amazing!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend with Scott and Hannah! It is soo good to see you smiling, and out at the mall!

Much love your way!
MB

Anonymous said...

making more than good progress. feeling all of life again is the ultimate gift and no one deserves it more.
yea on Obama and a new beginning for all of us hopefully.
much love for today and ALL days.
Claire, Harley and Goober

Cammi said...

BOTH floors at IKEA? I would have been impressed if you had done ONE FLOOR - that is like a football field! YOU ARE ROCKIN' IT! WOO-HOO for you for being strong and brave. I know there must be a little fear about taking on such a big place with no 02 or wheelchair. I think you did about a 1000 baby steps all in one day! CONGRATULATIONS!

The Miracle of Transplantation

Pause the music player before watching.