A lot has happened since the last time I wrote. We have the set the date for our wedding. I got my dress and was taped to be on an episode of TLC's Say Yes to the Dress! I am now working TWO jobs! I applied to graduate school to get my Master's in Nursing Education, I am hoping to start either in the Fall or by January.
Okay so the health front .. My 6 month bronchoscopy showed MINIMAL rejection. I was treated with a quick steroid burst. I was slightly crazy and irrational for a few days when I was on 50 and 60mg of Prednisone but I am not back to my maintenance dose of 10mg, which doesn't really seem to effect me that much. At the beginning of this week I had another bronch just to check and make sure the rejection was treated with the steroids (and it was - NO MORE rejection!). They actually say with acute mild rejection that treatment with steroids is 98% effective - which is pretty amazing. The word rejection is so scary. But to have it be completely gone with just a little steroid burst and taper is not so bad.
I started working again per diem in March at my old job in the NICU. With health insurance and wedding plans developing it was really time to start working full time. Unfortunately there were no full time positions available so I sent out my resume. I ended up getting a full time job in a great hospital in the Neonatal ICU. So right now I am on orientation for my new job and still working per diem when I have a free night for my old job! I have some amazing friends at my old job that I really don't want to part with - so it's fun to pitch in and work here and there when they need me. Not to mention the extra money doesn't hurt when you are have your own wedding coming up and a bunch of friends getting married as well!
On to the wedding. We booked for next year - October 11, 2013! We are having the ceremony at my local church and then the reception will be held in Long Island right on the water! I went to Kleinfeld's in the city (the most amazing bridal store ever) and fell in LOVE with my dress! The episode will be airing during Season 9 which I believe starts in September. I will have an exact date soon and keep everyone updated!!
And last but not least, yesterday I actually completely a 10K! For anyone who doesn't know conversions, that's just a tad bit over 6 miles! Joey trained pretty hard for it. I feel a little guilty because I didn't train as hard as I said I was going to, because life just got in the way but I finished and crossed the finish line in 1:30 minutes. Considering this time last year I was in a wheelchair and couldn't breathe without oxygen, it's a pretty amazing feat. Besides Joey, I participated with a few of my amazing cysters; Lyndsey, Piper, Bobbi and Gabby. Lyndsey and Piper are also both post-transplant and Bobbi and Gabby have not been transplanted and still ROCKED it!
All in all, life is pretty freaking amazing right now. I couldn't be happier, I have so many awesome things going on and to look forward to! All this thanks to my donor Angela. For the last 8 months, her and I have made a fabulous team. I can't wait to see what the future holds and to take us on more adventures!! I also think I am going to start working on my letter to her family. I know it's going to take a little while to perfect exactly what I want to get out and make them see how much I love and appreciate their generous gift of life. I still can't believe it's been over 8 months since I got that life changing phone call.
