Happy 1st Birthday Mom!

You’ve been born again!

Don’t you all wish we could have a do-over again? What a fabulous opportunity to begin something you’ve always wanted or to change something about yourself you never liked. Really, what have you got to lose when you’ve stared death in the face once (or three times) already? And won!!! I think I would be less lazy, more productive. Well….maybe not. Some thing’s are just ingrained.

One year ago today mom’s life changed forever. It was a day filled with excitement and anticipation. We had no idea what was ahead of us. We were just excited the “call” finally had arrived. Since those first long, three days Aunt Carol & I spent in the waiting room for the surgery to be over, so much has happened. When I look back on this past year, it’s really astounding all that Mom has accomplished. There were many, many adversities in the beginning. Life threatening, terrifying moments. Yet she survived. There were many instances where none of us thought we could go on one more moment. Yet we survived. Thinking back to that day, is like having your life flash in front of you. I can remember all the moments. Big and Small.

I remember the fear. I remember the waiting. I remember more fear of the unknown. I remember the quiet moments, both alone in mom’s room watching her while she slept and I remember the quiet moments she and I shared together. It’s one of those experiences that stay fresh with you for a very long time. Some days I still wonder if it will ever be a distant memory. They never tell you all the little details of the transplant process. Not as a patient and not as a caregiver. You’re strictly on a need to know basis. For me, personally, I would have liked a little heads up. For mom, I think being in the dark was best. As a patient, some things really are better left unsaid. And yet, she triumphed. She not only triumphed, she kicked that transplant in the ass! She survived. She succeeded. She surpassed any expectations we all had or put on her. Completely, bewilderingly, she persevered, drove on, again and again to get to where she is today.

Oh, what a lovely place today is. Let’s reflect a moment on the things she can do now that she couldn’t before. She can breathe without oxygen, all on her own. Nice, big, deep, full of life breaths. She can speak on her own, without a valve for assistance. She can sit up. She can stand. She can walk. Not only can she walk her six minute walks (a doctor devised measurement of her lung function) She can walk as long as she wants, as much as she wants. She doesn’t have to park in the handicap spots because the walk to the store, the movies, where ever, isn’t so ominous anymore. She can bathe herself. Get dressed by herself. She can care for herself and her home. She can do her own medications and make her own appointments. She can cook. She can have long conversations on the phone now. She can dream. She can see a future. She has a future! She laughs, She plans, She enjoys. She is full of life. Miracle after miracle. I know she’s complete now because she shops me into the ground. My mom is back! A whole new Didie! What an inspiration!

There’s so much to be thankful for. The transplant alone is something to be grateful for, but it’s the people behind the transplant that mean the most. The two teams of doctors that saved her life, several times: Dr. Feldman at St. Joe’s and his team and Dr. Moulton & Dr. Knoper at UMC, Tucson and their team. What a brilliant group of people. Not only are their skills pefection, but every doctor needs to take a lesson from their bedside manners. When you look into their eyes, you see and more importantly, you feel, you are genuinely cared for. You’re not just another career moving, notch in their belts of saves. You are their family and they are yours. You share something among you that few people get to experience. It’s touching and beautiful. There will never be words to properly thank them for saving my mom’s life. This level of care also extends to all the people at the hospitals and rehab facilities. Angels all. We of course wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the graciousness of the donor family. I can’t imagine being put in such a position to make a decision like that. Hopefully in this year they have been able to find peace and perhaps some day they will know what their selflessness has done for us. Again, there will never be words. Our family and friends were also vital parts of this process. I know I couldn’t have survived if it weren’t for them. Aunt Carol especially gave of herself like no other. She’s my angel. Our husbands & my son gave up a lot for us to be with mom during this time and that too, is very special.

So today we celebrate! We celebrate a new begining that God gave us. We celebrate a new life. Happy 1st birthday Mom. I love you.

P.S….We had a really great day today! We had planned to celebrate in Sedona but with the Memorial Day holiday, we figured we’d be fighting crowds all day. Neither of us wanted to do that so mom suggested we do some shopping (imagine that!) and see a movie. So we did just that. We were gone from 10:30am to 8pm! We shopped a ton and mom found a lot of items she had been looking for. You know when you have in your head something that you want but can’t find? That was what had been happening all week. But today, everything fell right into place. She found everything she was looking for. Mom got about a month’s worth of walking in today. We had to park far away because it was so busy. She only sat once because of her back. Twice I picked her up curbside, but she had done a lot of walking just prior. Then we went to the movies. We saw Demons & Angels and it was really great. We both enjoyed it. It was a nice break to sit down and relax. Then we picked up Lee & Malibu and headed off to the Outback (our favorite). Mom had wanted a really good steak to top off her day. We were all stuffed when we left. A good meal. A great day! She had a wonderful time and so did I. I think it was even better than if we had gone to Sedona. It was just one of those perfect days. I’m so proud of her and all her accomplishments. We’ll both sleep well tonight.

Month of Mom

We kicked off this month by celebrating mom’s birthday on the 8th. She woke up to this beautiful large plant that Scott & Kris had given her. What a great way to start the day. She loves plants more than anything. Aunt Carol & I treated her to lunch at Marie Calendars, where she got her favorite Lemon Meringue Pie. We had a lovely time.

She started back to physical therapy two weeks ago as well. It’s starting at the beginning once again, but she knows it’s good for her and pushes on. She’s hoping it will strengthen her back, as it is hurting more and more these days.

One day we took a break from everything and had movie day at my house. We have a new 63″ Plasma TV and man, what a great picture. We watch Mama Mia and it was spectacular on this tv. It’s set in Greece and the waters were amazing. I’ve never seen such clear, blue waters. It was hard to pay attention to the movie with all that beautiful scenery. It was nice to be able to do something fun and lazy together.

The 10th was Mother’s Day. Mom had dinner at my brother’s house, which is actually her house too. She lives in the garage apartment and they have the main house. So it was a quick walk to their side and my sister-in-law made a wonderful manicotti dish, from scratch!

This weekend mom went swimming! She, Kris & Taylor all went in their pool. This was the first time in 6 years that she’s been able to be in the water. She could never before because of her medication pump. What a thrill!

The 17th Aunt Carol and I took mom to the Symphony (her birthday gift from us). They were having a medly of Rodgers & Hammerstein Music. It was so much fun. We ate lunch at the Cheesecake Factory before the show. Then drove downtown and thankfully Aunt Carol has a good sense of direction, otherwise we never would have found the place. No one thought to look up where we were going! Dunces all. Like all downtowns, they’re crowded and impossible to get parking near your point of interest. We lucked out and parked in a garage near Symphony Hall. We parked on the top floor and at first we thought we were in trouble. The elevator was out! So I moved the car near the working elevator and took that down. Wouldn’t you know it, the working elevator was on the back side of the building, which put us a full city block away from our venue. If the other elevator had worked, it would have been a few steps across the street! Figures. Mom had woken up with her back really hurting and we were concerned that she wasn’t going to be able to make it that far. It never occured to us to bring her stroller to hang on to. She hasn’t used it since she’s been home. It would have helped, but she says she’s not going to use it. She’ll tough it out. She doesn’t want to feel likes she’s going backwards. So we took our time and walked the whole way. It gave us a chance to see what was around us. Restaraunts and shopping. They’ve redone this area and it’s so nice. We made it to the venue, up the long ramp to the entrance and then had to wait for the elevator that took us to our balcony seating. Of course there were no seats left (while waiting for the elevator) and apparently male chivalry is dead. Not one man, or woman for that matter, offered her a seat. Granted, most of the people there were older than the hills (matinee) but still. An offer would have been nice. I was about to boot someone out, but mom said no, I can stand. Then they opened the elevators. Thought we were in the clear but low and behold, two small flights of stairs to get to our seats. Poor mom was in such agony by the time we got to our seats. She did bring pain medicine with her and took that right away. The symphony was just wonderful. We all had a super time. It was a great way to spend an afternoon. I could  do that every day. Mom really enjoyed herself and managed the walk back to the car just fine.

Now that mom’s cataracts have been taken care of she can see really well. She didn’t realize just how bad her eyes had become, until the other day. She had told Scott awhile back that her transplant scar was gone. She was surprised at how quickly it healed and disappeared. Then she noticed the other day, post cataract surgery, that it was still there! She said, I got a chuckle out of myself. I really thought it had vanished! Guess there is a downside to seeing too well.

Saturday is the 23rd and this day is going to be a very special day for Mom, for all of us. It will be her one year anniversary since her transplant! I can hardly believe it’s here so fast. We will be celebrating by going to Sedona. It’s so pretty there, one of my favorite places.  We used to go there when I was a kid, whenever someone would come to visit. I don’t think we’ve been back since that time. I don’t have any set plans once we get there, but we’ll play tourist and have a leisurely day in the cool mountain air. More to come when we get home.