For the Beauty of the Earth

I'm always amazed at the beautiful flowers that surround the Temple. I didn't have my camera with me yesterday, but I did have my phone. I'm pretty impressed with how well they turned out. Well, it's a new phone so that may be why.

Hi.lar.ious!

This makes me laugh out loud every time I watch it!

Faith

Quote from Young Single Adult Gems-- “To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to ‘ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in [Jesus] Christ.’ “ ‘Real intent’ means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given.” Russell M. Nelson

At institute tonight the instructor said we can't have fear and faith at the same time. It's just not possible. I really like that. Lately Heavenly Father seems to be telling me to have faith and everything will be alright. I've had some pains in my leg and arms and both of my lung and heart doctors say it's nothing. I don't think it's just nothing. Obviously there's a reason why it's there; pretty frustrating. But I have to just have faith they know what their talking about. Their the educated ones, not me.

Well, I'll get off my soapbox now. Maybe someday I'll figure it out.

Approved!

Yesterday the transplant coordinator called and say I have been APPROVED by my insurance to have the heart/lung transplant!! That sure made my day! I couldn't stop smiling. The next step is to meet with the head guy of the transplant team to discuss everything. The main thing we'll talk about is can I even have the surgery- will I live through the surgery itself, my scoliosis being a big problem. So we'll see. If everything goes well then I'll start doing what's called the "transplant surgery clearance"; the testing before I get put on the list. They have to have all this information as a baseline so when I start getting worse they can compare the results from what I use to be. I think it may also determine where I get put on the list and move up at some point.

Transplant Surgery Clearance:

Heart

• Complete history and physical
• Chest X-Ray
• EKG
• Echocardiogram
• MUGA scan
• Cardiac Catheterization
• MV02 Treadmill test (stress test)
• Holter Monitor (ambulatory electrocardiography device)
• Labs and Cultures
• Skin Testing (TB, PPD, Histo and Cocci)
• CT scan of chest and abdomen
• Vascular Doppler Studies of the legs and carotids
• Dental exams
• Consultation with Transplant Social Worker and Transplant Psychologist
• Immunological studies

Lungs

• Complete history and physical
• Complete pulmonary assessment to include:
• Blood Gases at rest and during exercise
• Pulmonary function tests:
• obtained and % predicted with pre and post bronchodilator. Helium dilution lung volumes, single breath diffusion capacity, flow volume curve inspiratory expiratory
• Six-minute walk for distance
• VQ Scan
• MUGA Scan
• Chest X Ray
• EKG
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Labs
• Cultures
• Skin Tests (TB)
• CT Scan of Chest and Abdomen
• Vascular Doppler Studies of legs and carotids
• Complete Dental Exam
• Consultation with Transplant Social Worker and Transplant Psychologist Immunological studies
• Nutrition Assessment

Some of them are the same so I'm guessing I won't have to do it twice. They can just use the results for both.

Heart & Lung Transplant

I have begun the process of getting on the heart and lung transplant list. I'm still not even officially on because my insurance has to get approved and then I have to go through tests just to see if I'm eligible to have this done. My pulmonologist said they might not even let me have this done because of my size and scoliosis. To me my size doesn't make sense because children have this done and I know I'm bigger than them. I'd probably get a child's heart and lung from the same person because of my size though. This is only the beginning of a long road ahead, but every time I think about this I get so excited and I'm ready. I'm excited for how much more I will be able to do once it's all over. I'll have so much more energy and NOT have to wear oxygen. I know there's a chance the donor organs might reject me and that's a BIG possibility, but I'm ok with the risk. I've learned when I'm making big decisions, if it's right than I'll be excited about it. Well, that's the case with the transplant. I will be in Heavenly Father's care and whatever happens is what He has in store for me. And if I don't make it that just means I get to be on the other side helping people I love here. I know that may seem sad to hear, but it's true. That's really how I feel. Each of us are on the Lord's errand in this life. Each of us have talents, goals, trials and things we need to accomplish here on this earth. That's the whole reason why were here. So if I live through this and everything is hunky dory than great. I'll live my NEW life the best I can and if not than I get to help those on the other side and those still living. It's the best of both worlds!

Paul Cardall, a LDS pianist, was waiting for a heart transplant for a year and received it last August. It went perfectly and he was able to go home just 2 weeks later. All the doctors said it was a miracle. He's a great example to me of having such faith, strength, ambition, and love for life. I even wish I could play the piano as well as him. He has this picture on his website that I LOVE!! It shows exactly how I feel about this transplant. I'm in the Lords hands and it's up to Him what the outcome is. I pray that I may be in tune with the whisperings of the spirit so that I may know what's best for me as I go through this journey.

Painting by Nathan Greene

Cinnamon Rolls

Recently I made cinnamon and orange rolls with some friends for the first time. They were VERY easy to make. They turned out delicious!!

Scrumptious!

Suns Game

A few weeks ago I went with some friends to the Suns game. I always love being there in that atmosphere watching the game with good friends. The game is fun to watch, but also what they do during the time-outs and halftime makes for a great time!