Happy Thanksgiving!

Unlike most people, I am not going to list the things that I am thankful for. I don't need a Holiday to express how thankful I am. For months after my transplant I wondered why this happened to me and everyday the reason becomes more clear. This ordeal has made me more thankful, more strong, and overall, a better person. I hope that those close to me have also become better people because of it. Life is so precious and every day needs to be cherished as it can disappear at any time.

Today marks one year from when I woke up with right rib pain and realized something was wrong. Who would have ever thought the pain was actually my liver that was starting to fail. I didn't eat much and didn't feel good. Today, I feel GREAT and plan to eat the day away while enjoying the day with my family.

I hope everyone will count their blessings this Thanksgiving and always.

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.  ~Edward Sandford Martin

Please send some extra love and prayers to my donor family today. 

I am sure I have people laughing at me

We all have done it. We have witnessed some crazy behavior and posted it on Facebook, Twitter or gossiped about it. Well folks, I wouldn't be surprised if I have been the person people are talking about. Some of my crazy new habits include:

• Carrying around a can of Lysol at the gym and soaking every piece of gym equipment before I use it. I even wait the recommended one minute before I wipe it down. Anyone want to become my gym partner? 
• Refusing to use anyone's pen. When needing to sign something I will dig around my purse to find my pen even if it takes a long time. Those who know me know how much crap I carry around. 
• Before looking at a restaurant menu, I wipe it down with a wet wipe. Not confident those ever get cleaned. 
• Those wet wipes sure come in handy cleaning anything on the table I may use...ketchup, utensils, salt/pepper shakers.
• When walking up to a door, if there are people around me I wait back so they can touch the door handle and keep the door open for me. I bet they think I am lazy but saves me from door handle germs. 

You may think I am crazy but I am just protecting my immunocompromised self during cold and flu season!