Chick-Fil-A and Vanilla Coke

There is a famous saying, "You are what you eat."

If that's true, then my first semester of college, I was a Chick-Fil-a sandwich, large Waffle Fries (don't forget the honey mustard), and about four bottles of Vanilla Coca-Cola a day. They had a vending machine on every single corner.  Looking back, I really have no idea how I survived.

Between then and now, I had many major slow, and not-so-slow life changes that caused my delve into "health nut-ism," as some may call it. I try not to get on my soap box about it because I recognize that everyone has to make their own choices in life, and that includes diet. But, I have to say, that for me, eating a healthy diet has made a humongous change in my life, and I would love to share that with my readers from time to time if that's all right with you. So, fair warning, sometimes I will include little bits of interesting food or diet tips, or things I've learned along the way about vitamins or nutrition.

For example, did you know that quinoa is a complete protein? That's right! Quinoa contains all of the essential amino acids needed in the body. Quite a powerful punch for this tiny little grain, isn't it! It's one of my favorite foods! When you combine some cooked quinoa, corn, black beans, roasted tomatoes, bell pepper, lime juice, and your favorite Latin spices - it makes a quick and easy salad that can't be beat!

For those of you wondering, I hold to a vegetarian diet. I was vegan, or plant-based, for three years in the past as well. This diet works best for me and my husband. I find that it is the best for our digestive system, and helps keep weight down while on certain yucky medications like prednisone. I know these diets get a bad rap for not having enough calories or protein, but I believe this is when people do not do their research properly before starting these diets, and do them the wrong way. Personally, my transplant clinic encourages me to continue with my current diet.

Obviously, it is always important to speak with your doctor and nutritionist before starting any new diet regiment, and always, ALWAYS DO YOUR RESEARCH before jumping headlong into something new. This will ensure that everything is being done properly and healthfully. 

"You are what you eat." I am now purple cauliflower and asparagus and quinoa and sweet potatoes and tofu. What are YOU?

"I Climbed E-Rock" - That Overpriced T-shirt Will Be MINE

Once a week on Thursdays at the hospital, a special group of people gather together.  There, on the 4th floor of Dunn Tower, is the Heart/Lung Transplant Support Group.  I'm a regular there, and have been way before I was even listed for my transplant.  I credit a lot of people there for helping me to even come to the decision to stick with the whole process, sharing with me their very personal journeys, be it bad or good.  And now, as I am on the other side, it's my turn to pay it forward.

Recently, I was able to share with someone what I think has been my greatest piece of advice. Something that has helped me personally since I was admitted into the hospital in February and knew I wouldn't leave without my lungs, until now, trying to regain my strength after years and years of chronic illness - having goals.

It sounds mundane maybe, cliche even.  But, for me, having clear, set goals that I want to achieve in mind has been the greatest motivator to be able to overcome all the challenges of not only being a transplant patient, but being a person suffering from chronic illness, or just being a human being in a world challenging to live in in general.

Just think about it.  You wake up in the morning, pop open your eyes, and the first thing you think is, "Oh, great. Another day of nothing. No where to go. No one to see. Nothing to do."  What kind of motivation is that to get up and take your medicine?  Do you exercise?  Get stronger?  Be better?

But what about this:  You wake up in the morning, pop open your eyes, and the first thing you think is, "Oh great. Another day of nothing.  But, I'm going to run a marathon in two months... I'm going to ride the Houston Critical Mass next month.... I'm going to volunteer with Donate Life this weekend.... I'm going to climb Enchanted Rock when I'm strong enough.  I better get to work!"

Goals don't have to be grand in nature, either.  Mine started out as getting up and making my own breakfast, or putting up all my clothes myself.  The point is that you make a goal, and when you reach it, you've accomplished something you can be proud of, and that moves you forward in your life and health. Start with breakfast, and move on to the 5K.  It's all based on what you can do now, and where you want to go.

Goals. It might sound kinda stupid at first, but I'm telling you it works.  And yes, that bit about Enchanted Rock, that's all me.  I've tried a few times previously (even with oxygen in tow) and failed miserably.  But, soon I will get to the top. And I will buy the cheesy overpriced shirt, and hat, and bumper sticker, and whatever else that little shop down by the parking lot sells.  And you will hear me shout a victory cry from the top of the rock.  Cause it's going to be amazing people. 

April is Donate Life Month

April for the Transplant Community, is special. Why? Because April is Donor Life Month. It is in the month that we as recipients, team staff members, doctors, caregivers - everyone involved - recognize those that make all of these amazing and incredible things possible - the donors and their beautiful families. 

Throughout the month, this is done in various ways. There are walks and runs, charity events like galas and dinners, campaigns online to raise awareness, or even smaller events around the community to encourage organ donor registration. 

Last week, I received an invitation to The Methodist Hospital Celebration of Life. It's a very special event inviting the Methodist Transplant Community together to recognize the donor families and their special importance to all of us. 

Yesterday at support group, we talked about what would happen there. I've never been, obviously, because I just had my transplant last month. It's not like a marathon run or a gala. It's for our Transplant Family to get together and meet each other and donor families. The will be ceremonies of appreciation, speeches, and stories. The social worker there described it as, "very emotional." 

Just sitting here thinking about it, I imagine it as being "very emotional." 

I'm extremely excited about attending this event and feeling a part of this. Being able to see my fellow recipients, meet them and talk to them about their experiences and where they are in their lives right now.

But most of all, I look forward to being to meet and express myself (if I have the courage) to some of the donor families. I have not had contact with my own donor family as of yet, so being able to speak to them and maybe express to them a few of the things locked in my heart, those deep words of gratitude (although that doesn't even seem to be an adequate word, does it) would feel... 

Gosh, I really don't think there's really a way to describe it in normal human vocabulary. I think that's why it would take so much courage. 

Everyone that really knows me knows that since I was a kid, I cope with the stress of my illness through deflection with humor, and disassociation of just removing myself from a situation I don't want to be in, either physically or mentally, if necessary. Yes, I just admitted this to the entire planet. This isn't news, people. (Ah, there it is. Deflection.)  Now that I have my new lungs, I want to heal myself of all of these yucky bad habits, and feel and react like a normal person who wasn't sick her whole life would. I know this isn't an overnight thing, and will take work and time, but another thing about me is that I'm extremely stubborn and determined. That's why I've done so well so far with my recovery physically, add why I'll do even better with this part, too. Anyway, I digress.

I think I really, really digressed. Sorry.

I think, for me, expressing myself in this way will be healing. I have a deep, deep emotional gratitude for my donor and their family for what they did for me and mine. Without their gift, I wouldn't be planning for my future. I wouldn't have had one. Gratitude? Appreciation? Those words are tiny in comparison to what I think tansplant recipients really feel. What I really feel. 

So, April is Donate Life Month. How are you celebrating?