Hello friends!
My goodness it’s been a little while… so sorry to keep you waiting. I have actually been rather busy. I have a couple side jobs babysitting- one is an adorable little blonde hair piercing blue eyed boy; and the other, well he’s much much older… in his 80′s. I have also been quite active in promoting an event at my church called World Vision. Not to mention, the fun stuff I have been doing… riding motorcycles, going to fashion shows, an opera, a ballet, several parties, being able to dance again…I would say I have been feeling pretty good overall…

So, I quit using the machine. Hallelujah! It really did not fit my active lifestyle. I felt that it was more of an inconvenience. Several of you have asked if the machine did a better job- in my case no. As my nurse shared with me that I am not a fast transporter, I believe this pertains to how much fluid comes out-I am between low and average. If I was a fast transporter, then I would have to somehow make the machine part of my life. I am so relieved not to have be hooked up for 8 hours! I enjoy my dialysis adventures… this is a good portion of my entertaining writing material for you all!

So, I had another first time experience tonight– I was at a friend’s house for dinner and brought it my bag on wheels. I tend to joke with people when I am wheeling it in that I am moving in to their house. It’s like a carry on bag…. First, I had to figure a way to warm up my solution because her bathroom sink didn’t have a stopper. I thought about the old boil some water in a pan…kinda like heating up a baby bottle. It worked great! It heated up my bag faster than having it on heating pad for several hours. Hmm.. I may just switched to this method.. Then, came the challenge of hanging the bag. So, my friend was thinking of how I could hang my solution so we could continue talking and enjoying time together rather than me going into her bathroom for a half hour. She brought out her easel. What do you know? It worked out rather well. She was also curious as to how the whole dialysis process worked. She was rather impressed with how easy and quick it actually is. She also commended me and told me how proud she is of me..

I did not have to have my procrit shots last month because my hemoglobin count is up to 14, wahoo! I will see what my levels are here in a few days to know if I get to continue not getting the shots for now.

I have to admit, I am kinda liking the colder weather… only for the fact, I get to dress in layers which helps camouflage my little bulge. Most of you know, I am quite cold natured, so me actually admitting that I am liking cold weather, is a pretty big deal.

I have had the pleasure of getting reconnected with some friends from the past- like 12-15 years ago, thanks to face book. It is neat to be able to get in touch with people. You just never know what the rekindled friendship may lead to… I have also had wonderful opportunities to meet some new friends and I will say the same- you don’t know why God has placed these people across your path and where it will lead…

So, I participated in the Kidney Walk with my friend and fellow IgAer, Eric Otte, his wife, his brother (who donated his kidney to Eric) and his brother’s family. It was such a beautiful fall day! I wish the walk was longer than 1.5 miles. Not to mention a little more centrally located.

I started seeing a counselor to help deal with all these emotions and to help guide me in the next steps ahead. Enough said about this.

I have been pushing forward with my Image/Fashion Consulting Business. I just decided to start telling people that’s what I do. I have met some great potential clients as well as some great business relationships. I met a coach last week, an incredible guy and he was very much interested in working with me to help his clients out. Like I stated earlier, you never know where friendships, relationships will lead…

I have been getting good sleep too! I almost feel “normal” again.. That would probably be stretching things…

So, I am now on the list for getting a kidney transplant; however, I am on hold until I get a few things taken care of. I am working on these and have one of these items scheduled for late January. I had another thing taken care of last week…getting a mammogram. I don’t think I want to go into a whole lot of detail about this…all I can say is, it was an interesting experience.

Well, I think that actually wraps up the past couple of weeks…