A year in review... with pictures!

Enjoy!!!

A year ago today...

Flashbacks suck! For the last month, Joe and I have had many flashbacks of me being so sick last year. "A year ago today" starts out many conversations with my family and friends. The truth is that a year ago today, I WAS DYING. My liver was failing, my body was shutting down. Daily blood draws were followed by my Doctor calling with hope that my liver numbers would decrease. Puking in just about every parking lot I went to. Not being able to drive since I wasn't able to master puking while driving. Unable to eat anything except a banana yet expanding with fluid retention. I was so yellow, my teeth were glowing white. I didn't really realize how sick I was until Christmas Eve day. Joe took me to Macys and I had to sit down just walking to the store, I thought I was going to pass out. Little did I know I would be in a coma just 10 days later.

Exactly one year ago, I somehow managed to make it to my niece Kiera's Birthday party. I sat on the couch the entire time and refused to let anyone take a picture of me since I looked like a yellow highlighter. A year later, she had another Birthday and I made sure to have my picture taken at her party. I can't wait until next year when we can say, "a year ago today, we were having so much fun!"

With my nieces and nephew. Look at me now....a year later, a new liver, a new life! 

The Best Clinic Visit Ever!!!

After 11 months I have finally had a perfect clinic visit. The past couple have been good, but yesterdays was GREAT!!! Why you may ask???  I was finally  released to go back to work for a January 15th return. This is a huge step since I was told that only some liver transplant patients ever go back to work. The odds were against me needing a transplant but at least I have a little luck on getting to return back to work.  My liver counts remained perfect and my white blood counts are still stable with once a week neupogen injections. We are going to try decreasing my injections to every other week so hopefully my counts will cooperate. This was the first visit that no other test was ordered and she didn't have any concerns. She said she was so happy at how well I was doing and to keep up the great job of taking care of myself.

I am hoping that the great visit helps me get into the Holiday spirit. All year I have been looking forward to celebrating the Holidays since I was sick last year but have found myself being a bah humbug. A combination of remembering how sick I was and knowing my donor family is experiencing their first Christmas without a loved one has brought me down. I think once I decorate my house this weekend and put up a tree, I will get more into the spirit. I did write my donor family a letter but out of respect for them, I will not be updating my blog on the outcome. Whatever choice they make is the right one.