Live, Laugh, Love :)

Hello Hello!

   UGH, my car has finally had its final run. The mechanic called to tell me that the specific piece that my car needs to get fixed is in NY and it cost $850 not including labor. So it would cost over 1000 to fix my car. 1. I can’t afford that and 2. I would hate to pay that to have something break on it in another few weeks. So I am officially on the hunt for a new car. If anyone knows someone selling their car for a reasonable price (Cheap) or has an extra car that they wouldn’t mind me borrowing that would be awesome! (I have a perfect driving record)

    I had an awesome last couple of days! Spent Thanksgiving at my Aunty Gail’s and Uncle Paul’s house where we had tons of laughs and way too much food. I am still full, haha :). My mom and I attempted to go Black Friday shopping; we pulled into Walmart at 11:55pm for the midnight opening. There were about 1000 people waiting in line, one, which informed us that the doors weren’t opening until 5am. I am not sure what I was in shock of more – the fact that Walmart wasn’t opening until 5am or that there was this many people in line at 11:55pm waiting for the 5am opening. Needless to say we did not wait. Since we were in the Black Friday shopping spirit we decided to head over to Kohls got there at 12:30am to find out they were not opening until 1am. We then called it a night and went home. On Saturday I spent the day with one of my best friends Carolyn! We went up to Kennebunkport walked around took some pictures and just enjoyed the beautiful weather, on our way home we stopped at the Kittery outlets and then we met up with Carolyn’s sister Adrienne and Adrienne’s boyfriend Brendan and saw The Muppets Movie- absolutely adorable! Later that night my friend Liz stopped by to say hi and catch up on her way back to CT.  On Sunday I went to cheer my mom and her tennis team on during their match.

    I spoke to Cleveland Clinic today and they have everything they need from me to set up an evaluation. The woman I usually speak with told me that I should be getting a call tomorrow, Tuesday, from the scheduling department with a date for me to come out and be evaluated. I have not been feeling so hot the last few days I am having more difficulties breathing which makes doing anything that much harder, blahh. I have to go to MGH in the morning to have my blood taken so I am trying to decide if I will stop by my Drs. to let them know how I am feeling. I am just not sure if I am over tired and need rest from the last few days or if I am at the beginning stages of a cold.

    Well that’s all I have to say right now! I will let you all know as soon as I hear from Cleveland and also if I decide to visit my Drs. tomorrow!

Talk to you later ~ Breathe Easy,

Ashley

Welcome and Update :)

Hello Everyone!

  Welcome to my blog :) I figured this would be the easiest way for me to keep everyone updated!

 

   As most of you know I was set on going to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) for my second double lung transplant. Unfortunately, while we were in the process of getting everything needed to get me out there for an evaluation their head Dr. of the transplant program stepped down and a new Dr.took it over. Because of this they are prolonging me coming out to be evaluated. So we have since redirected our focus to the Cleveland Clinic. When we initially started researching hospitals with the best success rate on double lung transplant redos both UPMC and Cleveland Clinic had equal success rates. We just then chose to primarily focus on UPMC and although, we have redirected our focus on Cleveland we are still working with Pittsburgh as well. 

  I am hoping to hear from Cleveland any day now with a date for me to come out and be evaluated. Getting the evaluation is just the beginning stages of this long journey and it has already been beyond stressful– oy vey!  But, hopefully once I get evaluated (and accepted-hopefully) things will start to be a little less stressful-wishful thinking?.. Most likely! I should also hear from Pittsburgh with a date as well. Once we visit both places, we will know which one definitely feels right which will help make the decision on where to go easier.

   

  I have been feeling pretty good. Sometimes I think I feel better than I actually do – my body has adjusted to not breathing well so I will "feel" okay when in reality my lungs are working extra hard,a little to hard, for my own good. In other words I should probably wear my oxygen more often than I do. I just absolutely hate going out in public with it on but, I also hate staying in the house – total catch 22.  I had a Drs. appt the other day and I was told that I have lost some weight, I asked why because I’m not eating any less, and I was told because my lungs are working that much harder it is more difficult for me to keep weight on. I was also told that a transplant will often be put on hold until you you have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of at least 18% and right now I am only at 17% I have to gain at least 5 pounds to get back to 18% which is a lot easier said than done.

 

  I’ve also started the evaluation process at MGH and because of it I seem to have Dr. appts 3-4 days a week. Having a car that is pretty much the same age as me (1988 Buick Reatta) that likes to break down 2-3 days a week makes this very difficult. If you should ever see my on the side of the road stop and say hi, I will most likely be the only girl waiting for triple A and wearing oxygen, haha. 

 

  Hopefully this catches everyone up on me. Hope everyone has an awesome Thanksgiving, I have so much to be thankful for and I am so excited to spend time with my family and friends and all while getting to eat awesome food!

Talk to you all later~Breathe Easy,

Ashley