Why hello everyone!
Happy fall to all! It's finally here and I can honestly say..I am very happy it is! Boy what a summer it's been...besides being back in the hospital for CMV, 2 wks ago I was back in the hospital for blood in my intestines. As most of you know, I do have ulcerative colitis...so this isn't completely abnormal for me. Because of how sick I was with my CMV, I did have to be re-admitted for just a few days to check on things and be extra careful. It just ended up being a small colitis flare..which they treated with some steroids and I had a colonoscopy. I was quickly sent home and got back to work! The docs think I had a flare from taking a lot of ibuprofen (which is known to cause flares) for my back pain (which I still, unfortunately, have).
So looks like I will be trying to lay off of it as much as I can, but it is very hard when I am at work leaning over beds, picking children up and moving them etc. I am going back to acupuncture now to help with this. I plan on going pretty regularly to stay consistent with it so it is the most effective as it possibly can be. I love my acupuncturist too...going to see her is not just for treatment, it's almost like therapy. She is an amazing person and so easy to talk to.
The back pain has been going on for such a long time now. I am hoping to maybe get an MRI to check things out a little closer. I have tried EVERYTHING...Physical therapy, yoga, acupuncture...I'm at the end of my rope with this. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, but this is just unbearable to function with.
I have recently been getting more involved with The Living Legacy foundation of Maryland. I plan on becoming an official volunteer after taking an online class. Yesterday, my good friend Clint, who had a liver transplant 16 years ago and is a nurse at Hopkins, asked me to speak at my first function. I spoke at the "Donor Wall Ceremony" which is a ceremony honoring our donors and the families that help to make our new lives possible. It was emotional to say the least. We shared our stories and got to chat with the families. Another recipient was there and he received his gift the same week as I did...it's amazing to see how far we have come. I cannot wait to do more outreach things, it puts the whole experience in perspective and it makes me feel really good.
I finished my letter to my donors family..and I promised that 1. I would do my best to become and advocate for organ donation..and I am so happy I am beginning to fulfill that. AND 2. Since my donor gave me a new life...I would make this one as awesome as possible!!
I also am doing the "Donate Life Family Fun Run" this weekend. I invited all my friends and family to join my team and walk with me. We have raised around 1000$!!!!--All for organ donation awareness!! Thank you to everyone who donated and joined "TEAM CHE CHE"! It means SO much to me...truly.
I want to give a big shot out to my new friends on twitter that I have met...Ricki and Amanda that recently received their transplants! So proud of you guys...
That's all for now...
Lots of love, Rach
