Summer and I have a love hate relationship. I love the water, and BBQing, and sports, but uh the HOT temperatures I could live with being a little lower lol. Our favorite summer activities have to be going to the lake. At the lake we BBQ, take the boat out for tubing (although not looking good for this summer b/c the lakes are pretty dry at the moment) We watch movies at the drive in. It's a lot of fun.
This summer we are looking forward to going to some baseball games, and if we are not able to make it to the east coast we are hoping to make it away for a few days to Colorado springs. All of that is up in the air though so I can't tell you anything for certain. It all depends on money, Kev's national registry test, and work.
What are some of your favorite summer activities?
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A thing
While watching So You Think You Can Dance I began thinking about things, literally. The contestants on the show have found their thing... dancing (duh). It's what they love and they are good at it. It made me think about what is my "thing"? Growing up I always felt split between my families, which were vastly different in about as many ways as you can think of. I have tried (and eventually quit) many things. I never had any idea who Shelly was. I used to base my likes and dislikes on the people I was around. Whether it was art, sports, music, whatever. My siblings all had their thing nailed down pretty early, and I just didn't know. I don't know why but it just was.
For being a very independent person I sure didn't know what I wanted, liked, disliked. I just knew I was going to do things myself. I tried lots of things. Some things lasted one day, others a few years. There are things that I plan to pursue more to give it a better chance. I can't say there is any one of those things that I am really good at. Some of them I am awful at, but whatever I tried!
Through trying so many different things I have find things that I like, and dislike, and am mature (HA) enough to have learned that I have not given things the chance they deserve. I really enjoyed playing softball when I was younger and played for 4 years before quitting and it was for about the stupidest reason I can think of. Family drama... really!? Out loud I blamed it on my period or something but really it's b/c of issues that went down right about the time I started high school. Swimming, I'm no swimmer by any means but I love it, I would hang out in the water all day if I could. I have no rhythm so playing music and dancing are def something I do in the privacy of my own home haha.
I think my thing is academics. I love to teach others, learn new things, and help others. I am also still looking for my fun thing that doesn't involve school or my job. I have lots of stuff I enjoy doing and am willing to try new things, and so I want to know what is your thing? What works for you? That way maybe I will learn a little something about you, and maybe find something that I might want to try!
For being a very independent person I sure didn't know what I wanted, liked, disliked. I just knew I was going to do things myself. I tried lots of things. Some things lasted one day, others a few years. There are things that I plan to pursue more to give it a better chance. I can't say there is any one of those things that I am really good at. Some of them I am awful at, but whatever I tried!
Through trying so many different things I have find things that I like, and dislike, and am mature (HA) enough to have learned that I have not given things the chance they deserve. I really enjoyed playing softball when I was younger and played for 4 years before quitting and it was for about the stupidest reason I can think of. Family drama... really!? Out loud I blamed it on my period or something but really it's b/c of issues that went down right about the time I started high school. Swimming, I'm no swimmer by any means but I love it, I would hang out in the water all day if I could. I have no rhythm so playing music and dancing are def something I do in the privacy of my own home haha.
I think my thing is academics. I love to teach others, learn new things, and help others. I am also still looking for my fun thing that doesn't involve school or my job. I have lots of stuff I enjoy doing and am willing to try new things, and so I want to know what is your thing? What works for you? That way maybe I will learn a little something about you, and maybe find something that I might want to try!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
We answered the call
Yes this is a late posting of something that happened last Friday. As most everybody knows I donated blood last Friday and this is, that story. See Shelly gets updates from the local news station sent to her twitter, they had broke a story saying that blood in the Texas Panhandle was scarce and that they would be buying or going to get blood from a different area just to prevent themselves from running out. Shelly asked me if I wanted to go with her to donate blood. Of course I don't mind giving at all if I can spare. Now I will admit I did ask how much money would we get for donating because well I thought they paid. Little did I know that it was called donating for a reason. One of those blonde moments. Anyway we went to go donate the next day and of course Shelly didn't get to, her blood wasn't good enough. So I had to brave the needle on my own. But least I did get a T-shirt out of it and a coke, the cookies didn't look that appeasing to me so I passed on them. Now why exactly am I bringing this up way after the fact. Not to look good in front of anybody, I mean it is cool and all, but to bring awareness. My cousin Adam wrote a blog about trading blood donations that he can't give and he'll do something else i.e. donate time. I think thats a great idea as he can't donate blood for reasons of his own. I'll keep donating when I can Adam, you find a way to donate time to the cancer society like we did when we were working Shorebird games. Just so you know I can't donate till July 31st their rules not mine. What do you say??? Oh 
and here is my pr
oof!
and here is my pr
oof!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Lost...
No! Not that stupid television show! (Ok Kev likes it but I'm writing this post so I get to call it stupid)
Lately I am feeling lost... in the sense of what did I do before I started school? Really for the last year I have either been working 75+ hours a week or going to school and studying. This summer however I only have one job, and no school. I come home in the evenings and have no homework, and am not totally exhausted from a long day) Kev's joke is the house is cleaner now. It just feels strange not having that to do.
I think Kev is going to go through this same thing soon. He will have school 3 mornings a week. period. no work (atleast right away), no call, just school and of course HOMEWORK.
I predict that between the two of us we will be going stir crazy very very soon.
Lately I am feeling lost... in the sense of what did I do before I started school? Really for the last year I have either been working 75+ hours a week or going to school and studying. This summer however I only have one job, and no school. I come home in the evenings and have no homework, and am not totally exhausted from a long day) Kev's joke is the house is cleaner now. It just feels strange not having that to do.
I think Kev is going to go through this same thing soon. He will have school 3 mornings a week. period. no work (atleast right away), no call, just school and of course HOMEWORK.
I predict that between the two of us we will be going stir crazy very very soon.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The one about organ donation
May 20th, 2003 is a day I will never forget. If you remember (or not if you are new don't worry it'll be posted in a sec) last year I posted about my valve replacement from a different aspect which you can read here: (literally here b/c I don't know how to link back to it)
Five years ago today something life changing took place. No we didn't start dating, and we didn't get engaged today (Please we had only been dating 3 months!!!) The 3 months part is very important though. I had to have my aortic valve replaced. While that is HUGE to go through, the most awesome part... Kevin.I had a lot of thought about what would happen after only 3 months. He was such a wonderful trooper and really helped me through so much. There are many of our family and friends that were there as well. I think the day that Kevin drove me home Sunday May 25th I knew he was the one for me and I was the one for him. Just the simple way he took care of me, and was there on all of his days off just taking care of me, and when the inevitable post surgery breakdown came, he was there. Today is the anniversary of a week long of moments that made me realize just how much I loved Kevin. I believe it was the 23rd when I told him. One part that I don't even know if he knows I know (he will now I guess) The day after surgery he stopped by my mom's work and was very concerned if I was going to be okay, which after a little white lie and a lot of conivincing they finally let him see me the night before which was not exactly my best night. I am glad that he was able to talk to her and that she was able to comfort him.Kevin is one of the greatest people I have ever met and I love him with all my heart, stitches and all! I am glad that Adam invited, okay forced him to come to the party I was hosting for a friend, it definitely changed my life forever.
This year though I am going to talk about donation. Now I'm not going to preach to you or cite a bunch of articles and sites that you should read or even force you to change your mind. If you wanna be selfish, you go right ahead. I am going to tell you how it changed my life directly.
In August of 2001 I had a physical for work and was found to have a murmur, which was new. My primary care doctor had never heard it before and could definitely hear it then. He sent me for an echo where I was found to have a "small aortic leak" that was going be "no big deal" until I was much older. My cardiologist told me to simply have an echo every other year and not to worry. So fast forward to December of 2002. I am working in surgery and feeling not quite right. I black out for a second and then eventually pass out where I don't remember getting from one spot to the other. I'd been noticing that it was getting harder to run and I was super tired but didn't think entirely too much about it.
After passing out I make a visit to a new cardiologist, as my original one moved away. Turned out to be a good thing once he read my history and what not he felt I needed a little more investigation. He was thinking I was having arrhytmias though. So a couple of tests later proved that theory wrong. While I was getting one of the tests attached they were trialing a new echo machine and had no patients so since it was almost time for mine they went ahead and did it early. This is the beginning of the end...
They found a very large leak in my aortic valve (all of my other valves leak as well, just not as bad) that needed to be confirmed by a transesophageal echo (TEE) which was awful! Once confirmed they scheduled a cardiac cath and took measurements and found that not only was I feeling they symptoms my heart was starting to show some as well. I was referred to a surgeon and went to his office to discuss my options.
Now if you know anyone else with an aortic valve replacement they probably have a mechanical or bovine valve. These however are not good options for young patients and so I was going to need a human valve.
My surgery was scheduled within two weeks of this appointment... note just 5 months after having symptoms. I suppose I was lucky they were able to find a valve that was about the same age as me and the same size. I suppose that donor wasn't so lucky. I only know that the donor was young when he died and he had a wonderful family who donated his organs and tissue.
Many people think that if their organs aren't "up to par" or they have a certain disease or are receiving meds they cannot donate. This is not the case. Donated tissue is used in many many ways, one of them... heart valves.
My family and then boyfriend (now husband of 4 wonderful years) all became donors shortly after my surgery. I am grateful for that. I am also a donor even though no one would ever be able to use my live heart, part of it may help someone else. Just becoming a donor is not enough, you have to tell your family as they will be the ones making the decision. It could save lives, I know it saved mine.
I know I only have tissue, not living organs which require antirejection drugs. I had an immediate need but didn't have to wait like many people on the lists. It could be a lot worse for me and it is a lot worse for others. If you are not organ donor just take the time to consider it, it could save many lives. That is all I ask on this anniversary of my gift of life, which greatly improved my quality of life.
Five years ago today something life changing took place. No we didn't start dating, and we didn't get engaged today (Please we had only been dating 3 months!!!) The 3 months part is very important though. I had to have my aortic valve replaced. While that is HUGE to go through, the most awesome part... Kevin.I had a lot of thought about what would happen after only 3 months. He was such a wonderful trooper and really helped me through so much. There are many of our family and friends that were there as well. I think the day that Kevin drove me home Sunday May 25th I knew he was the one for me and I was the one for him. Just the simple way he took care of me, and was there on all of his days off just taking care of me, and when the inevitable post surgery breakdown came, he was there. Today is the anniversary of a week long of moments that made me realize just how much I loved Kevin. I believe it was the 23rd when I told him. One part that I don't even know if he knows I know (he will now I guess) The day after surgery he stopped by my mom's work and was very concerned if I was going to be okay, which after a little white lie and a lot of conivincing they finally let him see me the night before which was not exactly my best night. I am glad that he was able to talk to her and that she was able to comfort him.Kevin is one of the greatest people I have ever met and I love him with all my heart, stitches and all! I am glad that Adam invited, okay forced him to come to the party I was hosting for a friend, it definitely changed my life forever.
This year though I am going to talk about donation. Now I'm not going to preach to you or cite a bunch of articles and sites that you should read or even force you to change your mind. If you wanna be selfish, you go right ahead. I am going to tell you how it changed my life directly.
In August of 2001 I had a physical for work and was found to have a murmur, which was new. My primary care doctor had never heard it before and could definitely hear it then. He sent me for an echo where I was found to have a "small aortic leak" that was going be "no big deal" until I was much older. My cardiologist told me to simply have an echo every other year and not to worry. So fast forward to December of 2002. I am working in surgery and feeling not quite right. I black out for a second and then eventually pass out where I don't remember getting from one spot to the other. I'd been noticing that it was getting harder to run and I was super tired but didn't think entirely too much about it.
After passing out I make a visit to a new cardiologist, as my original one moved away. Turned out to be a good thing once he read my history and what not he felt I needed a little more investigation. He was thinking I was having arrhytmias though. So a couple of tests later proved that theory wrong. While I was getting one of the tests attached they were trialing a new echo machine and had no patients so since it was almost time for mine they went ahead and did it early. This is the beginning of the end...
They found a very large leak in my aortic valve (all of my other valves leak as well, just not as bad) that needed to be confirmed by a transesophageal echo (TEE) which was awful! Once confirmed they scheduled a cardiac cath and took measurements and found that not only was I feeling they symptoms my heart was starting to show some as well. I was referred to a surgeon and went to his office to discuss my options.
Now if you know anyone else with an aortic valve replacement they probably have a mechanical or bovine valve. These however are not good options for young patients and so I was going to need a human valve.
My surgery was scheduled within two weeks of this appointment... note just 5 months after having symptoms. I suppose I was lucky they were able to find a valve that was about the same age as me and the same size. I suppose that donor wasn't so lucky. I only know that the donor was young when he died and he had a wonderful family who donated his organs and tissue.
Many people think that if their organs aren't "up to par" or they have a certain disease or are receiving meds they cannot donate. This is not the case. Donated tissue is used in many many ways, one of them... heart valves.
My family and then boyfriend (now husband of 4 wonderful years) all became donors shortly after my surgery. I am grateful for that. I am also a donor even though no one would ever be able to use my live heart, part of it may help someone else. Just becoming a donor is not enough, you have to tell your family as they will be the ones making the decision. It could save lives, I know it saved mine.
I know I only have tissue, not living organs which require antirejection drugs. I had an immediate need but didn't have to wait like many people on the lists. It could be a lot worse for me and it is a lot worse for others. If you are not organ donor just take the time to consider it, it could save many lives. That is all I ask on this anniversary of my gift of life, which greatly improved my quality of life.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
6hrs in jail
I tried to think of a good made up story to try and tell everyone about. But really couldn't think of anything funny enough or believable. So I'll just say I was there delivering 13 beds on a capital delivery. I didn't get hit on or become anybody's man or lady. That's the whole story nothing really interesting. Just liked the headline for twitter. My whole head has been spinning with ideas and freaking songs. For the first time in a long time I've been happy for awhile. So expect alot of crazy happy from me. My first meal out of the joint was bacon cheese burger really good. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Changes
In about one week I will be starting my EMT classes. In three weeks quitting my job of three years. I never had a plan in life. I've always just coasted through life falling into the right job at the right time and making the most out of it, but never really liking it. This is something I really think that I will be good at and enjoy, but now I think I'm more scared than ever cause I know what I want and I'm afraid of failing. Being the true brother that I have he tells me that its going to be hard to pass the class and it may be even harder finding a job. I've already said that I would move if I had to still staying in the Texas Panhandle moving possibly somewhere between fifty to hundred miles away. So now its a waiting game. I know I made the right choice its just hard to imagine if I do have to move and Shelly can't be with me. My head is spinning with so many possibilities. The chapter with Hill-Rom is coming to a close a new chapter begins and for the first time I don't know whats going to happen. I have had a minor slip up on my no smoking quest. I bought a pack of cigarettes on Thursday on a really bad day. It was a mistake that I know now I could have done without. A moment of weakness that I can't take back. I will continue my pursuit and try to control my emotions as that was what got me into trouble this last time. That's all I have to say.
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