Laughter Is The Best Medicine: Part Deux

For some strange reason, the memories that give me the best laughs have been medical-related. 

Case in point:  When I was 9 years old, I went to my cardiologist's for my annual check-up.  The nurse, "Miss Mary" (that's what I called her), was asking me which finger I wanted to be pricked for my blood work.  She asked, "do you want me to draw it from Mr. Index? Mr. Tall Man? Mr.-" I immediately interupted her and said, "That's not Mr. Tall Man.  That's 'The Bird'" 

My father's eyes got big and Mary gave Dad a look as if she were saying, "Where the *bleep* did she learn that?"  My dad immediately said, "I don't know." (which is true, he didn't and I honestly can't remember if it was from school or TV.)  Thankfully, Dad and I remember that incident with great fondness.

Now, the next story cracks me up but embarrasses the daylights out of someone else.  But, before I can tell you said story, I need to give you the backstory.

During the first 6-8 weeks post-transplant, I could NOT wear a bra.  My scar was vertical and straight down my chest and it just flat-out HURT trying to wear one.  In fact, my first weekend out-of-the-hospital-post-transpalnt I tried wearing a bra while out doing errands with Mom and Dad.  As soon as we were done with our first store (Wal-Mart) I immediately climbed into the van, shut the side door, and yanked my bra off.  THAT HURT!  (In hindsight, duh!  Of course it hurt!  My scar was still healing!)

During the first month or two, twice a day, my mom would "paint" or put medicine on my scar.  We'd just go into my room, I'd lift up my shirt, she'd apply the medicine and that was that.  My sisters were staying with family at the time so Mom and I got used to this routine.

On top of everything else, I was experiencing the physical side affects from Prednisone. Mainly, increased weight gain and all of that.  Where did that added weight go? Let me put it this way: I was suddenly well-endowed.

After about a month of living in Boston with relatives, my sisters came back to St. Louis...and poor Sam (who was only eight years old at the time) got an eye full!

Mom and I went into my room like always and I lifted up my shirt like always.....but Sam coming into my room was not like always!  The poor girl walked in and immediately Mom and I saw her pointing at me and than screaming, "I'M GONNA GET THOSE?!" (yes, pointing at my you-know-whats)   Poor Sam! She was quite traumatized.  ;-)

EVERYONE started cracking up.  I still can't mention it to her without a teasing glint in my eyes and a small blush from her. 

I'm sure I have many more hilarious moments but for the life of me, I think of them.  :-)

MUSIC

“Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music.” ~Ronald Reagan 

If that’s true, my “song” has been playing from the moment that I was born. 

Music has always been part of my life.  When I was just three years old, I corrected my mother on the lyrics to the song “Rainbow Connection.”  I said, “Its CONNECTION not collection!”  When I was in elementary school, MTV was in its prime.  It was 1985 and music videos were becoming more common place. Madonna was a hit-maker with songs like “Material Girl” and “Into the Groove”, Whitney Houston had just released her first album (self-titled), and Michael Jackson was already a Thriller of an entertainer. 

 Of course, since I was just a kid, I wasn’t allowed to watch that channel but I knew of these artists and their songs via the popular Disney Channel show, Kids Incorporated.  These kids weren’t “celebrities” but they had talent.  Sometimes, the lyrics were altered due to their age.  I LOVED it!  It was because of Kids Inc. that I learned what the hits of the time were without learning the “original” version.  The show aired from 1983-1993.  I watched every episode until the very end (though the last few seasons sucked) along with Disney’s “90s” version of The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.  I would watch current artists perform (The Jets, Tiffany, SWV, Toni Braxton, Exposé, etc.) without leaving my home.  It was great!

It was around late elementary school/early middle school that I got my first walk man.  It was love at first sight.  I could listen to the various radio stations that my parents didn’t want me to listen to (like 93.3 WFLZ), play my cassette tapes or record favorite songs from the radio onto a tape!  I couldn’t even tell you how many walk mans I wore out, how many radio tapes I made or how many headsets I would accidently break and need to replace. I’d listen to it falling asleep, first thing in the morning, during car-rides…it was my escape.  I could drift off and go into my fantasy world, pretending that I was performing those songs.  Listening to music was one of the few things I could do even up to the night I got my transplant.

 

April, 1995: with the Make-A-Wish lady. 

It was the Spring of 1996.  Bill Clinton was running for re-election for the highest position in the nation, Alanis Morrisette was still riding high from the success of her debut album, Jagged Little Pill, and a certain 16 year old (yes, yours truly) had just moved to St. Louis, Missouri to wait for her second chance at life.  Little did I know it, but I was about to meet a group of people who would help me throughout my transplant journey in ways no one could have predicted.  

Amanda A., Jennifer G., Chad H., Katie J., Katie K., Tim W., and Erik W.  These are the people who were either waiting for (the Katie’s, Amanda and Erik) or recovering from (Jennifer, Chad and Tim) their respective transplants around the same time as me at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.  Whether it was predestined or just sheer timing, I truly feel that I was meant to go through this particular phase of my life with these people for whatever reason.     

There are so many songs I could choose to describe that time in my life, my affection for the above people, and how much my encounter with them has meant so much over the years.  If I had to pick any song, the special one that brings a wistful smile to my lips and a small ache in my heart it would have to be the Carole King contemporary hit “Now and Forever” from the 1992 film, A League of Their Own.  

Now and Forever~ Carole King

We had a moment, just one moment
That will last beyond a dream, beyond a lifetime
We are the lucky ones
Some people never get to do all we got to do
Now and forever, I will always think of you

June, 1996.  Not even 10 days post-transplant and I already had my walk-man in my hands.  Screw germs, I needed my music! 

It may seem that I only choose songs that are poignant but in fact you couldn’t be further from the truth.  Case in point?  In a sickeningly twisted tribute to my donor family, a song that I would love to dedicate to them (if I had the “guts”) would be Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You.” 

I told you I have a quirky, off-beat sense of humor.  :-)

I don’t know when it happened but recently (within the last few months) something about that song struck me and in an odd way it seemed to make sense (lyrically) from a transplant-perspective.

My Life Would Suck Without You~ Kelly Clarkson

'Cause we belong together now, yeah
Forever united here somehow, yeah
You got a piece of me
And honestly,
My life (my life) would suck (would suck) without you

(Okay, so the lyric says “you got a piece of me” but just go with it.)

Since 2002, I’ve been an active participant in the U.S. Transplant Games. (I swear, one of these days I will write a blog post about the games!)  It’s because of these games I’ve made the most amazingly loyal group of friends.  They’re more than friends; they’re my “transplant family” who’ve got my back as much as I have theirs.  In addition, these games bring out my competitive side.  Of course, in the months leading up to the games I need that certain “gets me psyched” song; the tune that gives me that fire in my belly.  Out of ALL of the songs that I could choose, the one that recently reached my top spot, the one that gets me going has to be “Wide Open” by Sugarland. 

I don’t know if it’s the opening “oh ay oh ay oh…” being repeated or the immediate “stomp stomp” feel of the beat or what but there’s just something about that song that gets me so pumped!

Wide Open~ Sugarland

Oh ay oh ay oh
Oh ay oh ay oh

Every life has a moment where sweat meets fate
On your mark get ready get ready now
Gonna find out fast what a heart can take

Come in closer oh come feel the love on the inside
Electric current in my veins
Lets me know I'm alive
I burn I breathe I blink I.........

Wide wide wide wide open
And it’s a fine fine fine fine world
And this is my my life I'm hoping
Will be a fine fine fine fine world

Get ready get ready now (oh ay oh ay oh)
Get ready get ready now (oh ay oh ay oh)
Get ready get ready now (oh ay oh ay oh)
Get ready get ready GO (oh ay oh ay oh)

(FYI: I cut out some of the lyrics. :-))

 As you can see, I love music and always will. From Tag-Team’s “Whoomp! There It Is!” which immediately take me back to my last year of middle school, to Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” which was (appropriately) released when I was about to graduate high school songs are simply a way of life for me.  I've gone from using a tape player to a walk-man to a portable CD player to mini iPod to Classic iPod to (my current mode of music listening pleasure) iPod Touch! Don't ask me how many batteries I used before I got my iPod because I couldn't tell you!  That's how much of an impact music has made on me!  If I had to pick one song to define what I’ve been through and what I hope what awaits me in the future, it would have to be David Cook’s “Time of My Life.”

And I'll taste every moment
And live it out loud
I know this is the time
This is the time
To be more than a name
Or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life

 

Appointment This!

Hi all!
Sorry I haven't written in a while.  I've been working my keester off at work this past week and it's worn me out.  Also I've been feeling stressed.  Some of it is finance-related (which I've talked to the folks about) but the other I've only come to the realization today.  What is "the other" part of my stress?  Appointments. 

I have an appointment this coming Wednesday with my diabetes doctor.  Then, on February 7th in the early AM I have a coumadin clinic check-up (thankfully, my coumadin check-ups are now spread out to every 4 weeks) and then later that day, I have an afternoon appointment with my nephrologist (kidney doctor.  On top of that, I have an appointment on February 17th with my PCP for my six month check up.  Of course, before the nephrologist and PCP I have to go to LabCorp (yes, two seperate times) to get my blood drawn which throws my morning routine out of which makes me freak out internally! 

How do you all handle this?  How do you manage all of these doctor appointments and blood draw times without your head wanting to spin?  What do you suggest I do?

Thanks  :-(

World Transplant Games--UPDATE

I just found out that the price for room, board and food: $1250.00

Price for Flight: $1250.00

Unless a miracle happens, I don't think I'm going.  :-(

Regular Feature!



Hi All!

So I've been thinking about doing a "regular feature" here on my blog where I showcase someone who is either on the waiting list, post-transplant, a living donor, or a donor/donor family.  What do you think?  How often should I do it?  Weekly?  Bi-weekly?  Monthly?

And the winner is....



Faith/Religion!!

Who would've thought?

I'm working on that blog right now and wording it in a way so that I won't accidently begin World War III here.

1st Runner Up?  Donor Traits: Fact or Fiction?

2nd Runner Up?  How music helps heal the soul

World Transplant Games--Gothenburg, Sweden



As I've mentioned before in a previous post, I've participated in the U.S. Transplant Games.  Sadly, in all my years, I've never attended a World Transplant Games.  I was hoping to go to the 2009 WTG in Austrailia but (grrrrrrrrr) I ended up in the hospital twice that year.  Anyhoo, the next World's are right around the corner (in June!) and while I'd L-O-V-E to go I have no flippin' clue how to go about getting the funds to even go. 

I love going to the games and being in that environment.  I'd love to meet OTHER heart/double lungers from around the world (that would be mind blowing!).  I'd love to meet people face-to-face that (until now) I've only talked to via Facebook.  I'd LOVE to go to Europe!! I'd love that I would finally get to say, "I got to go to the World Transplant Games!"  

But........how do I get there?  Where do I begin?


WTG 2011 - Welcome to Goteborg


World Transplant Games Federation

Goteborg, We LOVE You!

It's the little things....

While moping around feeling sorry for myself because I still have this cold, I started to remember a clip from the 2006 U.S. Transplant Games.  It had a lung recipient talking about how pre-transplant she'd have to drag her oxygen with her to get the mail, how long it would take her, etc.  Post-transplant it takes her even LONGER to get the mail because she has to "pet the neighborhood dog, go out and go look at the flowers and walk around the house" and then a little bit later she says, "it's surprising that it's the little things that you get to do." 

That small clip brought a smile to my face and I thought, "You know what?  I really need to cut this out."   15 years ago today, I was purple-lipped, had just been through a crappy Christmas, and was waiting.  Waiting for someone to die so that I could go on living, waiting for my life to start again.  Now?  I don't have to wait!  I can do anything I want!  I can travel, walk outside and feel the sun shine on my face!  It really IS the little things that I get to do!

But first, I need to get over this cold.   :-)   


P.S.  Here is that video clip that got me out of my funk.

2006 U.S. Transplant Games Interviews (she starts at 1:00)

In Sickness and In Health: Part Deux



Friday (12/31/10) the symptoms began: scratchy throat, stuffy nose.  Uh oh....

Cold and flu season are upon us and for immunosuppressed people: this time of year makes us feel worse than the average Joe or Jane.  The average Joe or Jane has the immune system to help fight off a cold.  A transplant recipient doesn't have that luxury.  We catch colds faster and it takes us longer to get said bug or virus or whatever out of our systems. 

Tuesday, I left work early (about 2.5 hours) and came home.  Yesterday I was ok but today?  I'm feeling even more congested and groggy than the day before.  NOT FUN!!   Guess who had to call in sick this morning?  I HATE calling in sick!!  (But at least I know that two-three other people at the office who also have colds and flus and are either calling in sick or leaving early.)

Right now my nose is so stuffed up that I have to breathe with my mouth slightly open.  My head feels groggy and when I try to clear my throat, you can tell I've got a lot of mucus in there.  Sooo sexy (notice sarcasm).

While feeling all slug-ish this morning this topic entered my mind: when and if I find my Mr. Right, how will he handle it whenever I get sick?  How will I want him to react?  How will we both get through it together? (Alright, so these are a few questions rolled into one topic but it's along the same wave length.)

Now, most people that know me know that I'm not much of a whiner when I'm not feeling well. I stubbornly take care of myself, make my own soups, take whichever over-the-counter meds work best for me, etc.  When a guy comes into the picture, will he do all of these things for me?  Better yet, will I want him to?  Will he know when to keep his distance and let me care for myself on my own, or will he hover over me where it drives me crazy?  And after I'm better, will he go back to the way things were or will he suddenly be paranoid over my health? 

Whew!  I just realized I asked myself way too many questions!  :-D

For those of you either in a relationship or married (and are a transplant recipient), how does your significant other handle it?  Does he/she react in the way you like or do they secretly drive you bonkers?  Do you have any suggestions for those of us who are independent in our healthcare?

(I might add more later...)

The shirt says it all!

I'm planning on buying this within the next month or so so that I can be a walking advertisement in April which is Donate Life Month.  Oh, and here is the link to get this and other fabulous organ donation awareness apparel:

Angel Cove--Organ Donation Awareness Shop

Laughter is the best medicine....

Today's topic?  LAUGHTER!  And how it's saved me pre and post transplant.

I have a bit of an off-beat, quirky sense of humor--I admit it!  I've always been the type of person who would laugh innapropriately at the WORST time.  I was that kid in the class who would laugh awkwardly during "the film strip" or whenever it was that time of the year and we had to seperate the boys from the girls for those "talks."  Of course, the popular kids would look at me funny and just couldn't believe I was so immature.

The ability to laugh (either at others or myself) and have a sense of humor have helped me numerous times in terms of my transplant.  When I was recovering in the ICU, I started to bleed through the needle of where the IV was in my skin.  My night nurse put a gauze bandage thinking that was that.  Nope.  I bled right through it. "Okaaay..." she thought and then put two gauze bandages on my wrist.  That didn't work either!  By the time she was putting 4-5 on me she and I were both laughing like crazy at the absurdity at something so simple (blood to stop) not working for us.  At one point, between giggle fits, I said something to the affect of, "Well, I think 3-4 months worth of periods just went right out the window!" which (of course) caused her to laugh even more.   In the end, that IV ended up being removed from me.

Having a sense of humor helps put new doctors at ease with me.  They realize that I don't take myself as seriously as one would assume.  Most of the time, that helps.   A few times, those doctors look at me like I have three heads.  Ah well.....

Soon after my transplant, my family noticed that I developed different types of laughs.  I'm not sure if it's donor related or what.  I don't know how I do it, they just come out depending on my mood, what's made me laugh, etc.   I'll introduce you to three types of mine:

1.) hand-over-mouth giggle:  I think this is obvious.  This is my shy-I-still-don't-know-you-well-enough-to-show-you-how-I-really-let-loose laugh.  This is rare.  ;-)

2.)  shoulders shaking/hand over stomach laugh: This is my most common laugh.  I do this a lot at the office.  This is when I'm my most happy. 

3.)  Gasping for air laugh: Fair warning: if you ever see me do this longer than a minute, immediately yell at me, "BREATHE KIM!"  For some unknown reason, sometimes whenever I'm laughing LIKE CRAZY over something, I'm so busy focusing on the hilarity that I forget to breathe.  I like to laugh but I also enjoy breathing! 

So from the bottom of my heart....and lungs (hehe!) make 'em laugh!  :-)

They say it's your birthday....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm 31 today.  Yikes!  Where did the years go?  Part of me feels like I should still be watching brand new episodes of Full House or Family Matters but the other part of me is looking forward to the latest season of The Biggest Loser and Who Do You Think You Are? 

According to store sales, the toys that I grew up with (My Little Pony, Care Bears, etc.) are considered to be "old school" for today's kids.  When did that happen?!  I'm still young......aren't I?

**sighs**  I'm old and on the make.

In sickness and in health....

The above title takes on a whole new meaning for someone like me.  Someone who received their transplant young and is searching for their Mr. (or Mrs.) Right. 

During the first couple of years post transplant, I wasn't interested in boys.  Shocker, I know, but those drugs caused me to be hormonally turned off at first.  Besides, high school wasn't a fun time for me anyway and I was always behind compared to my peers.  College?  I went to a community college so I just went to class, came home, and that was it. 

It wasn't until I was in my mid-20s that I realized,  "Holy crap!  Everyone I know is getting married!  When did this happen?!" and felt like I needed to catch up with them in the game of "life."

I'm now nearly 31 years old (in just a little over 12 hours it'll be official) and I'm still looking for my Mr. Right.  I've tried various dating websites (eharmony, christiancafe, match, catholic.com, etc.) with slim success.  Soon after a few online messages (either via my big mouth or their own searching on me) said guy finds out about my transplant and then woosh!.....I never hear from him again.

Since 2002, I've been involved with the U.S. Transplant Games and made some incredible friends along the way.  Up until that point, I thought it was just me who was having trouble finding a guy.  Nope!  Turns out, there are a lot of female recipients (and males too, I'm sure but it's only the girls I've talked to about this) who are also getting discouraged.  Either they're like me (still at the starting gate) or they start dating someone and said person breaks up with them and usually, it's because they can't the medical baggage that we recipients come with.  It was such a relief when I learned I wasn't the only one going through this. 

During this past summer's U.S. Transplant Games, I was sitting and talking with my team's (Team Florida) assistant manager, Denise, and she was talking about how her relationship with her husband changed during her transplant.  Alex went from being her lover and protector to being her nurse, care taker, etc.  She said that it was hard for her to see him enter these new roles but he handled it like a pro and stood by her side....in sickness and in health.

I know that the saying goes Good things come to those who wait but.....could you please speed it up God?

Topic for today...

Right now, I've got way too many topic ideas going on in my head.  The possibilities are:

• Dating?
• Fantasy vs. realty?
• Religion/Faith
• More intro--talk about family?
• Year  in review?
• Goals for 2011?
• Ramblings?

So much thinking, so little time.  :-)

Now and Then...

January 1, 1996

• I was on the brink of turning 16.
• I was on the list for an organ transplant.
• I hadn't been to a regular school since Spring, 1995.
• I was addicted to my walkman.
• I loved reading teen magazines (16, Teen Beat, etc.)
• I didn't have to worry about my weight.
• I HATED tomatoes!
• I had purple lips and required more than 12 hours of sleep a day.

January 1, 2011

• I'm on the brink of turning 31.
• I'll be 15 years post-transplant in June.
• I graduated high school in 1999.
• I'm addicted to my iPod Touch.
• Today's teenyboppers make me gag.
• I now read magazines related to weight and health...and pop culture.
• I'm always going to be frustrated at those 15 pounds I need to loose.
• I LOVE tomatoes!!
• I've been rocking pink lips since June 14, 1996.

Oh, how things change!

About Me

Basic Info:
My name is Kim.
I'm almost 31 years old.
When I was 16 years old, I received a heart/double lung transplant.
I received my transplant due to advanced stages of Eisenmenger's Syndrome. 
(In layman's terms: underdeveloped lungs (due to premature birth) + LOTS of holes in the heart)
I received my transplant on Friday, June 14, 1996 at St. Louis Children's Hospital. That place is very near and dear to my heart...and lungs!

I've come a long way since my SLCH days.  This will be a blog by a transplant recipient but not about my whole transplant life.  Just certain aspects of it that are transplant related.  Enjoy!