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.