Today's the day!!!!!!!

Today I am 3 months and 6 days post my double lung transplant. I have not had any huge bumps in the road. My medications have gone down to a regular dose. I have gained over 20 lbs. Lastly, I am proud to say that I am breathing at about 90%. That means one amazing thing: I get to go home!!!! I have clinic today and I cannot bring myself to find a reason they won't let me move home. This has been a long road, and it is by no means over. But I think the hardest part has passed. I couldn't be happier with my decisions these past few months. My quality of life has been restored. I am ready to live the life I always dreamt of! I have some major events coming up! This Saturday (Yes, in just 2 days!) one of my best friends is getting married and I am a very proud bridesmaid to her! I am also practicing for my first pageant in January! I am competing for the title of Miss Phoenix/Miss Cave Creek. I have created new short term and long term goals in my new life! My short term goals are ambitious but I feel they are very possible. I want to win a pageant this year. I want to raise the most money for Children's Miracle Network in the Miss Arizona Scholarship Organization. I also want to win a preliminary at Miss Arizona. If I am ready, I'd be happy winning Miss Arizona. If not this year, another year. I want to reconnect with my home community and give back more than I ever have before. I want to hold a Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser Walk. I want to breathe at 100%, I don't remember ever being able to do this. My long term goals are quite extraneous but nonetheless, I want to make them happen. I want to become an author, very soon. I want graduate with my PharmD and become a research pharmacist. I want to learn how to scuba dive (something I was told I could never do because of my bad lungs). I want swim with whales. I never thought much about my future before, now I know its endless. This has been an incredible journey. I am still learning to live again, but really live this time. I am grateful and thankful, but ready to move on. I'm so excited to be going home today!

I am #205!

Well, lets just start by saying "my life has changed forever"! After my last blog I had a wonderful trip in Chicago. I was very sick but pushed through. After Chicago I started my long journey that I am on now. I was admitted into Phoenix Children's July 31. I was on oxygen and in the ICU. It was decided between everyone that I needed a transplant. I was transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital on Saturday August 3. The tests started immediately for the transplant list. I was finished with the tests and listed by Monday August 5. On the beautiful day of Thursday August 8, I received my transplant. I am the 205th lung transplant at St. Joseph's Hospital. I am very proud of my new sense of identity! After that day I saw life through different eyes! I can finally look forward and plan my future. I have waited for this feeling my entire life. I was discharged from the hospital 9 days after my transplant. I have been living in Phoenix for the last few weeks and will continue living here for another few months. My recovery has been remarkable. I have never been so grateful for such a gift. Next week is my 1 month mark since transplant! I feel not only has this decision changed my life physically for me, but it has opened so many opportunities! I have a new story to share with the world. My first interview airs with Fox 10 News in a few days and I think from there my story will spread to others will want to know more about my story. I have also been so inspired to write another book! My first book, a historical romance, will always be my first love. But this new idea I have is really going to be great. I started a memoir that will include life before, during, and after transplant. It will explain Cystic Fibrosis so the reader will be informed on the disease before they read my story. I think I want to title it "I Survived". I think that title is relatable for my readers. I want to explain the title in the book, also. I think every individual has their own battles and struggles, each person's is different in every way. In my eyes, for that person to live another day through their personal battles is a true definition of surviving. It kind of goes with one of my favorite quotes, "Do not fear death, but rather fear the unlived life. You don't have to live forever. You just have to live." I am open to any feedback on the title or suggestions for my memoir! A new life, new beginnings, and new chances!

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

I've been home for almost a full week from Phoenix Children's Hospital. I have to admit, one of the longest and most challenging stays I have ever had to experience. I entered the hospital on June 5 and was released July 16. A total of 41 long days! After many series of tests and trials of medicine, and a procedure called a bronchoscopy, I learned I was ill with 2 bacterial infections, pneumonia, and a fungi called Aspergillus. I went through complications with my port (not surprising one bit), a couple IV's, at least one week of fever spikes of 102, migraines, chest pains, needing oxygen through out the day and night, lowered lung functions, crazy emotions, sleep deprivation, and weight loss (120 lbs down to 105 lbs). My lung functions dropped down to 33% (a healthy person is normally at 100%). Because of that, we started talking about a double lung transplant. I am going to get evaluated at a transplant center, just in case I need a transplant. I'd rather be safe than sorry. I was upset at first about this but I have realized IF I need a transplant, that does not weaken me. It's a challenge I can over come, if I need to. The cause of my weight was directly related to a medicine I was that made me so sick to my stomach that I could hardly stand the smell of dry Cheerios. It will take me over a year to gain back the weight I lost. I am overly excited to be home and ready to get back on the right track again.

I am doubtful I can compete  in the pageant coming up at the end of August. I was hoping to compete for the title of Miss Pinal County 2014. I tried to play my saxophone the other day and had a very hard time. Talent counts for the most points during competition and I don't want to struggle for my talent or risk a coughing fit during my performance. I'm thinking I might hold off to compete again until January. That should be enough time for me to get my health up enough to perform properly!

On another note, I leave for Chicago tomorrow! I will be accompanied by my father. We will drive into Phoenix tomorrow and fly out Thursday morning. We are going to visit family in Chicago, Springfield, and Petersburg. Then I think we might go up and visit some family friends. On Monday we will return to the airport to be picked up by the my chauffeur. Tuesday morning I will be in a film talking about maintaining a strong weight while eating a healthy diet (kind of ironic I will be talking about this after losing 15 lbs lol). Tuesday afternoon I will be in a second video talking about why keeping a positive attitude is key for not only good health but in life generally. Tuesday night we will hit the city! We have tickets to see a comedy musical called "Let Them Eat Chaos". Wednesday morning we fly home! I'm so ready for this adventure!!! I am so excited to have my dad there with me. I couldn't ask for better :) My next post will include details and pictures from my trip!

XO- A

It's been a while!

If you ask me, I've really fallen off the bandwagon with my blog! It's taken me WAY too long to update! Here's to catching up:

 It's been a few weeks since my San Diego trip, but a trip I will not soon forget! I was really nervous for what awaited me as I arrived in San Diego with my boyfriend. I wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into. As soon as I arrived to the hotel of which I were to make my speech I was welcomed by my amazing liaison, Maja. She helped prepare me for my speech. I met amazing people who couldn't wait to hear my story. After doing a run through and a brief meeting I spent my evening enjoying it with my boyfriend. The next morning really changed my perspective with my illness. I was the first speaker at the conference. I spoke for about an hour and 15 minutes. I noticed as I spoke in the audience, I had people laughing, crying, and inspired. I would have to say, if you ever get the chance to say something to someone and see complete inspiration fall over their faces; never take a second thought on doing it. I was very rewarded with a standing ovation from the audience after I completed my speech. The standing ovation actually lasted so long, I felt very awkward. I was very humbled by this. I was also overwhelmed by hugs and uplifting words. The rest of my vacation was well spent with my boyfriend.

I have now gotten an offer to go to Chicago to be in a video. The script has been written up and approved. I will be leaving for Chicago the week of July 15! Even more recently I have received a second script! I don't know all of the details for this opportunity but they will come!

I have also signed up for 5 pageants after January. I am determined to make it to state next year! Speaking of state!!! Miss Arizona 2013 starts in just a few days! The new Miss Arizona 2013 will be crowned in little more than a week. I wish the best of luck to all of my friends this next week! Love you all!!!

My health hasn't been the greatest. I am currently hospitalized at Phoenix Children's. It's been a week and I'm feeling a bit better. Another week or so and I should be on top of my game! Staying positive is key.
XO- A

New Idea, New Friends!

Today I sent out a bio about myself living with CF to families living with the same illness. I am attempting to reach out to them. I have had great responses so far! This is a wonderful step for me. I hope to create many friendships with other CFers sending them inspirational videos. May is CF awareness month! In honor of that, I will be dying my hair purple in about a week! Purple is the color for CF. I'm very excited about this. And in ONE WEEK I will be speaking in San Diego for CF!!! I have come to an amazing realization; this wicked disease of Cystic Fibrosis is actually turning out to be an incredible gift with many many positive opportunities! I am almost fortunate for this illness...
XO- A

Miss Southeast Az 2013 results

This past weekend I had the pleasure of competing with 6 other women for the title of Miss Southeast Arizona 2013. This was the last pageant of the season before Miss Arizona. My mom, a good friend and I drove down to Sierra Vista, a 6 hour drive! We had a blast all together! On Saturday Miss Southeast Arizona 2013 was crowned. I am very proud to say I placed first runner up! I was also the winner of the Quality of Life award! The class of the Miss Arizona 2013 competition is complete! Best of luck to all of my great friends! With that being said---BRING IT ON SEASON OF 2014!!!!!!!!
XO- A

Miss Mohave County 2013 Results

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of competing with 4 other women for the title of Miss Mohave County 2013. Although I did not win, I had an amazing time! What a sweetheart Lauren is! Just like the rest of her beautiful family! I look forward to seeing them at Miss Southeast Arizona in two weeks. Katie was one of a kind :) her talent was perfect for her, stand up comedy! I really enjoyed her continuous positive energy through the evening. My good friend, Leah, went out on that stage and rocked it like I knew she would! She will be joining me to Miss Southeast Arizona! She has become an amazing pageant sister! And finally, congratulations to the new Miss Mohave County 2013 Tana!!!! Such a well deserving titleholder. Good luck at state!
Like I had mentioned, I will be competing for Miss Southeast Az 2013 in less than two weeks! I have some practicing I need to do. I started a new work out today with my father. I'm very excited to physically feel good and to see how my new routine will help my Cystic Fibrosis.
Wish me luck!
Xoxo-A