Birthday Pancakes

My first weekend with my 12 yr old. It's tough having to share her but I wouldn't have it any other way. She's an amazing person and I can't believe how fast time flies. Now it's preparing for the next stage of her life and ours. To teach her adult responsibilities and consequences. It's never too early to start just didn't think it would be here so soon.

National Marrow Donor Program

One day post-op. Just underwent donating my bone marrow to a 39 year old man. I was sitting at breakfast with new NMDP shirt and the server's curiosity led to a conversation as to what the process of donating entails. I tried to keep in under wraps for a while, but I think people need to hear what it truly means.

It started when I was in the Navy, over 10 years ago. I'm not sure if it was a picnic or a blood drive, but they asked if I wanted to be in the program. So I donated a little blood sample, now it's a simple swab (like in CSI), which contains my DNA goes to a database. My number was called in January. They found me through, even after my name change, relocating to 3 different states. Like bloodhounds, they called my mom, sent me an email, a letter, a message on MySpace!! Once initial contact is made, everything is up to me.

I contacted they're initial coordinator. I had to fill out a brief History and Physical document. Then bloodwork was ordered through the local lab. Right now I'm just a potential. The results are reviewed by the doctor and they make the selection who's the best match. If you're the Chosen ONE. You get a letter, then they contact you if you're still interested. If you are, you get your information packet, along with consent forms. Then you schedule your physical and a collection date.

The physical is the pin cushion stage. You give more blood samples to check you for infectious cooties, then you donate your own blood which will be transfused back to you during the operation. Your chest x-ray and EKG is done as well. You meet with the clinical coordinator and the surgeon and they'll explain the procedure. This is your last chance to back out. After this point, if you agree, the recipient will undergo chemo-therapy to kill their own bone marrow. Which means he will die if you change your mind.

Collection day is your typical pre-op, you speak to the doctors and address any concerns you may have. They give you the good "Stuff" and you take a nap. During your nap, you're intubated under general anesthesia. Your on you stomach, then they start "Mining for Marrow". The amount they take is what YOU can safely give. Since I am big boned, I gave about 1 liter (size of a big Dasani bottle)- This is where I'm flexing my big guns. Then you wake up in recovery room, still HIGHHHH! Then they take you to your hospital bed for a few hours of observation. So you watch TV, order a light meal, walk around, then your released with some more good "stuff" and iron pills. The pills you take for a week, since your basically anemic. You're body WILL make more Marrow, in about 30 days. Take the Happy Pills when you start to feel pain. I was expecting more pain, but it's actually not too bad. I went for a walk and shopping afterwards. But you do get sore when you wake up the next day.

There are benefits. NO, you don't get money. But they put you up in a NICE hotel, provide driver service to where you need to go, and your food is paid for. The collection dates I was able to bring my family so they got to have a nice vacation.

The most important benefit is the TIME you give the recipient. Mine was an adult, but most are children. You give them a second chance. When they go through the NMDP, their relatives are not a match. They're looking for a needle in a haystack for that match. Unfortunately there are more recipients than donors. But if it succeeds, they can be healthy and have a family and children (like my brother's brother-in-law, Marty). We can never know for how much longer they will live but even if it's for a little bit, it's more than what they would've had without it. I don't believe in karma. I believe in God, and when he puts something in front of you it's for a reason. I believe I am my brother's keeper. So if you get that tug in your heart and I planted a seed in your thoughts, check out NMDP's website (www.marrow.org). They are a non-profit organization that works with other Donor Programs worldwide. You never know, you may be a match for a child in a different part of the world. You can be that difference in his/her life.

Six Degrees of Ray

A story that started Jan 1st, 1980, as my dad first came to the US and stayed with his best friend Ray. $700 in his pocket, Dad started his new life. They became roommates, along with Paul, quirky guy, funny, smart, and loyal. This relationship led to so many changes that led to this years January 1st. From his roommate Paul becoming a great friend, to brother-in-law, to best man. With his best friend Ray, studying the veterenarian's license exam with my Dad. Although my Dad missed the California board by two points, it was enough to pass for Florida. Another January 1st becomes a new life in Florida for my Dad, where he met his Carol. Their relationship survived our teenage years, bad timing, other relationships, divorce, and it came back around again 20 years later. It's fitting that he picked the beginning of this year to start their life together. It shows that God does have a plan, and true love, always come around to full circle.

Christmas

It was great that Jason's family was able to come over and visit. It was great to see them. It's been a while since his mom came out. It was her first trip to see the house. Needless to say I went into PANIC mode and finally finished painting the house and decorated the guest bedroom. Storage boxes and old comforters will suffice for my father in law, but she gets the special treatment. Honestly I'm just grateful she did come, it gave me the motivation I needed to get things done.

I know it's difficult for Jay to see his family. He wasn't even able to spend that much time with them while they were in town. Towbin Dodge owned his time, and we weren't able to borrow too much of it. I know he misses them so much. It's hard to see him have to hold back the tears when they were getting ready to leave. Too bad David couldn't make it out. But he was in our thoughts. Can't wait to see him, hopefully soon... my little clubbing buddy.

Mesquite

We finally got our chance to just get away. Of course it's not the extravagant trip to some place exotic. But it was a nice change of pace. Just a quick bike trip to Mesquite. It started out exciting. I was a little nervous. So nervous that when I got on I-215, the gloves I stuffed on the side of my bag was starting to fall out. So here I am with my throttle hand trying to stuff it back in. Did I forget to mention I was in 5th gear, on the left hand lane, with only bubble barriers between me and oncoming traffic? Needless to say the bike stalls out and I'm praying I don't get hit by oncoming traffic and get hit by someone behind me. God always looks out. Since people were kind enough to go around. I got a few head shakes, then I walked my bike over to the shoulder. Some guy was nice enough to turn around and ask me if I was ok. I was little shaken up, but not too bad. Still alive. Of course Jay finally realized I wasn't behind him and headed back to check on me. Bike was fine, just need to learn to downshift.

So the rest of the trip went on with out any problems. It was a great time. Beautiful weekend, of course this was in October. We enjoyed the trip through the gorge to St. George. Discovered that Utah doesn't have any helmet laws. So we actually got to ride around with the wind in our hair, under 35 mph of course. Too scary if we go any faster. Man, I love bike trips. Can't wait till it gets above 60 degrees again.

always hopeful

Even as the day looks bleak, I love the optimism of this country. The spirit of hope, the desire for change. It's been dormant but it seems in the dark hours we always look towards the light. We hang on, we fight. The odds are great against this man, in this election. There are those that will continue to hang onto the familiar. But I still believe in the pioneering spirit that makes me proud to be an American. A choice made at 15, but must be exercised everyday. To go beyond myself and help make this place just a little better, One vote, One voice, One choice at a time.

Pick already!!

Arrrgghh!! Just venting my frustration with work. We waited a whole 3 weeks to get interviewed for the director position. Now we have to wait even longer. In the mean time I have to do that job, plus mine, plus another lady....

What?!? Is that a little whining violin I hear? Yes, I'm whining. I'm grateful for the opportunity. I also understand that if it's not part of God's plan, it's not going to happen. So no longer will I stress about it. Just go with the flow and enjoy this time and chalk it up to learning experience. But I do realize I have to go back to school, if I want to advance my career...

Wheewww, feel better... thanks!