Let me start by saying I have had an amazing past 3 years. I have met some amazing people, a brand new family in fact!! My transplant family. Myself and a few others started a transplant group at IU Hospital, now IU Health almost 3 years ago. The group has grown so large and I am so happy to say that I have personally helped several people who are now my amazing friends, also considered family. I only wish that I could have known what I know now, before I was transplanted.

We just have a different kind of out look. Only we know what it felt like to go through it. My family was there with me and took such good care of me. My transplant friends, they know exactly what I felt, how I feel now, what's "normal".

So thank you to all of my transplant family. You are so important to me and I love you!

I'm Back!! And I Have SO Much To Share!!

Please read my old posts starting September 15, 2009

What a life I have lived since my last post on January 1, 2010 !! As I read back on my old posts, I have to pinch myself to see if this is real! I have come so far in the last 3 1/2 years, I can't even believe it!!

I decided that I have been so blessed since my last post, I had to start blogging again!! But where do I begin! Stay with me because it's going to take a little while to get caught up to 'Where I am today'!

Jan 1, 2010

As the New Year has come, the girls are gone and Dave and I sit here on our laptops, the house quiet. I have a lot to be thankful for. My mom was here all afternoon and we watched 7 Pounds. That movie just gets me thinking about my journey and how the donor family feels.
I sent a card to my donor family for Christmas but haven't heard from them yet.. That's my 4th attempt, ... I guess they aren't ready for me yet. When they are ready, a new chapter will open up in my life. I will have an extended family that I won't be able to stop thinking about. I hope that is soon and that I get to meet them some day!!

Christmas 2009

Christmas has come and gone way too fast! So much work and fun getting there and and it's over in a day. But this year I did a lot of thinking! I know the true meaning of Christmas but this year, I felt it! Maybe because I'm not sick anymore and I know what all he has done for me!! As I sat in church Christmas Eve service I thought about Christmas Eve service 2007, when I was soo sick and just getting ready to do my work up to get on the transplant list. Dana and her family weren't there this year. Since they lost Jordan it is too hard to stay here for Christmas, so they went on a cruise this year! As I sat , waiting on the service to start, I texted Dana because all I could think about was Dec 24, 2007, when I stood in the back of the church with Dana and Jordan telling Dana that I may need her help soon.. (that story is posted in another blog) I texted Dana that I was sitting in "my pew" this year, not standing at the back of the church, and it felt 'weird' to be there. She texted back that she loved me and she was just coming in from the beach. But she remembered that evening as clear as I did.
That service meant a lot that night and my eyes teared up w/ joy.

Where I Am Today..

So now I am almost 19 months post transplant, and I can't believe my life!! I can't explain how my life has changed. I remember NO in between. I remember being really sick, doing all I could to make it through the day. I remember my transplant and a good while before like it was yesterday. I have lived it for 9 years, so that's pretty much all I think about. Not in a negative way, but it's everyday!!

I have done 3 stories for the Hendricks Co. Flyer, and 1 for the Star. I tell my story to inform people how important it is to become a organ donor. I have lived in Plainfield my whole life, so pretty much everyone in town knows my story.

Most all of you know my friend Dana House and her family. She has been my rock and my encourager. They have endured a horrible tragedy in their life. It has taken the life of their only daughter, Jordan House. Jordan was a 17 yr. old vibrant, beautiful girl that I have know since she was in 2nd grade. She got 'sick' and was hospitalized on March 1, 2008. She fought so hard to make it and she lost her battle on March 25th, 2008. She had a strand of Meningitis. She passed away from Strep Pneumococcal Meningitis. She was the 1st DCD donor (Donor after Cardiac Death) at Riley Hospital. Dana speaks at hospitals all over the state telling DOCTORS her story and what this is!! If you have any questions, please ask!!

What I am getting at is Jordan was an organ donor, she had been since she was a little girl.
I'll tell you a little story that Dana and I have to cherish forever!!
It was Christmas Eve December 07. We were at the Christmas Eve service at Plainfield Christian Church, and we were a little late. We were at the very back of the church on the right. This is 6 months before I got my transplant. I wasn't even on the list yet. I was just very sick. Dana and her family always sit on the left side of the church up front. They were 'late' also, and they came in behind us and were stuck at the back of the church w/ my family. It was an emotional service for me because I was so sick, I seriously didn't know if I was going to make it to see another holiday. So after the service I went up to Dana, and I had 'known her' for years, but never talked to her, (she has a Helping Hands service, that she runs, she cleans, shops, helps out people in need) and I told her that "I may need her help some day to take care of my girls if I get much sicker"! Her and Jordan went out to her car, and they prayed and cried. Dana said to Jordan, "Isn't it sad that someone has to die so Lynn can live"? And Jordan was bawling and said, "Mom, aren't you glad we're organ donors"?
It was 3 months to the day that Jordan passed away. Dana and her family tried to direct donate Jordan's liver to me. We went through all the testing, but sadly we weren't a match. Jordan saved 4 lives being an organ donor and I am so proud of her. Because Jordan was a donor, Dana can get out of bed every morning. It gives her joy knowing that Jordan saved 4 lives and now the recipients can have holidays with their families.

Wouldn't Change A Thing!

Well, I have skipped a few months here and there, and I regret that! But I am here to tell you, that I have come a long way!! And I wouldn't take back one second of what I went through. I wouldn't change a thing! I couldn't have said that a few days, weeks or several months out, because I was in SO much pain!! My journey has opened so many doors and opportunities for me.
Through all this I have found my purpose in life.. why God made ME! My heart is pouring out to help others and make them aware of how important Organ Donation is!! I have been called by strangers that have heard my story, for me to talk to a friend or loved one going through the same thing I did, or what to expect.. I have helped about 6 people personally, and I give all my time volunteering for IOPO-Indiana Organ Procurement Organization / Donate Life, sharing my story and speaking at High Schools encouraging everyone to become organ donors! It is so heart warming to know that you have helped changed someones life.

When I Came Home

I had a few set backs, and was re-hospitalized twice for a couple of 'bumps in the road' they call it. But since then I have had good check up's and regular blood work that is so far so good!! I came home weighing 99 pounds. malnurished and I had a feeding tube for 3 months, that I had to hook up to for 8 hrs. a day.
I couldn't have taken this incredible journey without the help and support of my family. Dave, Britton and Brooke, my mom, my sisters, nieces and nephew, my brother in laws.. my friends, Brooke's friends. My family was there for me 24/7and was there for the good and bad. They got a lot of laughs out of me!! (ask Ashleigh)
My PCC church family couldn't have done one more thing for me!! They stepped up and prayed, visited, brought meals, helped w/ expenses and much more.
Thanks to all who came to see me at the hospital, at home, brought meals, called, texted. I think I took my phone to surgery w/ me!! LoL!!