Memoirs of an Oxygen Queen: Living with Lousy Lungs

Vampire Lovin'

2009-06-14T16:39:00.000-04:00

What's up Y'all.

Tonight is finally here!!!!! Ohhhhh it's so wonderful! It's the Season 2 premier of True Blood on HBO! Ohh happy day!!! I'm so excited I could pee myself. I can't wait to see more vampire lovin' and drama. How can anyone not like this show? Now Dexter just needs to come back on and all will be right with the world. But, alas..I have to wait until this fall to see the return of my favorite psychopathic, serial killing, criminalist! But, I digress.

Jonathan is my True Blood roaddog. I told him that he better be here by 9pm or ELSE. I know that we will have to watch it back in my room b/c my step dad has the den wired with booby traps anytime anyone tries to use the T.V. in there. And I don't feel like loosing any fingers or toes tonight when I try to pick up HIS motor controller. (I kid, I kid..but seriously, you'd think we were trying to steal his kidney or somethin'.) So this brings me to a slight dilema. My room. It looks like a crime scene. The afertmath of a tornado. An earthquake. I have to clean :-( I can't have anyone back there to watch t.v. in that mess. Gahhh! I hate cleaning more than anything. SO I guess that's what I'll be doing the rest of the afternoon.

Last night I watched the movie Gran Turino with Clint Eastwood. Normally I'm not a big Clint Eastwood movie fan. But, when I saw the previews for it, I immediately wanted to see it. So, last night when I saw it on movies on demand, I bought it. It was pretty good. I recommend it. I give it 4 out of 5 O2 tanks!

Okay. I'm off like Paris Hilton's panties!

Bipappin' it!

2009-06-12T14:02:00.000-04:00

Hello, my loyal followers!!

It's Friiiiidayyyyyyy, bitches! Not that I have overly exciting plans this weekend. But, you know. I can still get excited about Fridays. Even if I don't work or go to school during the week. So, bite me! :) I guess I will go down to the pool this weekend. I'm a bit worried though b/c the last thing I want is to get more sunburn. I'll have to put on a 70 SPF sunscreen or somethin'. Like mentioned in my last blog post, I'm STILL peeling from the sunburn that I got from the beach. Now my legs are peeling too, not just my arms.

So, today I went to the walk in bipap clinic at Lincare. I needed a new mask b/c mine is falling apart. When I was at my pulmo. appointment the other day, my Dr. told me to ask Lincare about possibly switching out my bipap machine. I told her that when I was in the hospital I didn't have any sleep episodes and that I was using the hospital's bipap machine. So, she suggested that maybe the reason why I'm still having them is because my machine is messed up. So, today I asked the respiratory therapist about it at Lincare. He checked my machine and said everything was working properly. THEN, he told me something that both excited and disgusted me at the same time.

He told me that there is a special bipap machine called an "auto bipap" and it basically does the same thing they do during a sleep study at the sleep clinic. I was FLOORED. He said that it, of course, doesn't monitor the brain stuff but it does monitor the changes in your breathing while you sleep. So, in other words, it SHOULD be able to show what the hell is happening to me when I have these sleep episodes! It was like music to my ears. I was so excited. But, then I got a bit annoyed. No, more than a BIT annoyed. I got very annoyed. EXTREMELY annoyed. I had asked more than once in Chapel Hill if there was not someway that we could monitor me in my sleep from home. The answer was always NO. That I HAD to drive all the way up there and stay the night in the sleep clinic hooked up to all that crap in order for them to see what was going on while I slept. Now I'm pissed that I had to go through 3 sleep studies to find out absolutely NOTHING. When I could have just stayed home in my own bed and slept more comfortably, which would have probably gotten better results. So, I emailed my doctor and told her about it and asked her to fax an order to Lincare so I can get the ball rolling with this home sleep study via autobipap. I pray that it works well enough to find out what the hell is going on with my breathing at night! Keep your fingers crossed!

Aside from that news, there is nothing else to report.

I hope you all have a lovely, exciting weekend. I'm off like a prom dress!

Shedding is for the snakes!

2009-06-09T21:04:00.001-04:00

Hey Y'all!

I hope everyone is well. It has been quite a while since I wrote. I just haven't really had the urge or been in the mood. Sorry to have left all of you hangin', waiting for a post. I'm sure you were all checking and rechecking the blog constantly, waiting impatiently for a new post to arrive. HEHE :) Just kidding! That's what I've told myself at least. :)

Nothing new is going on really. I do have a slight bit of good news to report. I have lost 1 lb. YAY! I'm on my way to shedding my lardassness. Speaking of shedding, I am looking like a snake shedding it's skin these days. After nearly becoming a 3rd degree burn victim at the beach, I've been peeling like hell. It started like two weeks ago and it hasn't stopped yet. It's driving me crazy. It makes me feel freakishly unnatractive. Like I could be an act in a circus freak show. "Behold the Amazing Shedding Woman!" It's ridiculous! When will it end???

On a good note, the pool is now officially opened for the summer. Yay! So, now I can go swimming. I plan on doing some walking in the pool with Mom and Charm. Hopefully, that combined with the treadmill will help me to lose some of this weight. Mom and I attempted to start pilates also. It was insane. My knee wasn't right for DAYS afterwards. LOL. Oh, to be young again and limber. And to not have 7 pins and a plate in your knee and pin in your hip. Ohhhh..Memories! :)

I had an appointment with my pulmonologist in Chapel Hill last Wed. It went well. Thats how I found out that I lost a lb. That was the best news I've heard in a while. Everything else checked out good. She even complimented me and told me that I looked great with a little extra weight on me. She said that I looked sexy and voluptous, like a real woman! :) Well that's good, considering I'm almost 29! :) HEHE. After the appointment Mom and I stayed for support group, then went home.

Sunday, I went to the zoo with my friend Nate, his wife Susie and son Jonathan. It was fun. I took a lot of pics of the animals and spent a crapload of money on simple things like drinks and snacks. But, it was worth it. The only bad thing was that I got a little sunburnt again. Oh well. Shit happens.

Today I walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes. I ROCK. Then I was so tired, I promptly laid down and fell asleep for an hour and half until dinner was ready. I've been so tired lately that I've been napping a whole lot.

Gotta go. Here's to me getting THE call soon! Later y'all! Enjoy the pics below!

My friend Lori and I and her son Keegan at the pool!!!

The polar bear at the zoo!

False alarm transplant call during the beach trip - Oops forgot to mention it!

2009-05-26T16:44:00.001-04:00

Hey!

I can't believe that I forgot to mention the most exciting thing of all during my beach trip. I got my false alarm transplant call. We had only been there for 10 minutes. It was late, 1:30 in the morning on thursday, and Becky called me on my cell phone. She told me that the surgeons may be going to look at some lungs for me. But, that she was hesitant about the lungs b/c a lot of folks had already passed on the lungs and that the donor had a questionable history with smoking and other things. Long story short...They didn't go look at the lungs so I didn't have to turn around and make another hours long trip to Chapel Hill from the beach. Thank God! B/c I was sooo tired from the car ride there anyway. All I wanted to do was lay down and go to sleep. But it was very exciting to get the call. I asked her when she called if she felt like I would be getting THE call soon and she told me yes! Needless to say, I called everyone I am close to and told them all about my false alarm call. Maybe next time it will be the real thing! :) I can't believe I forgot to write that in my last post!

I'll write again soon!

Home from the beach!

2009-05-25T16:03:00.001-04:00

Hey Y'all!

I'm back from the beach! And I'm as red as a lobster who's been boiling in a pot on the stove! I got sooooo sunburnt. I only went out on the beach 2 days b/c I was so burnt, I refused to step foot on the sand again! We didn't do much while we were there. Just hung out, hit the beach and went shopping a little bit. We ended up going out to eat a couple times for dinner. The first place was a seafood place (Uggh gross) so I ended up getting chicken fingers that were okay. The salad was good. The 2nd place was supposed to be really good. The motzarella sticks were decent, but my fries were cold as hell and the bread was a little hard on my sammich. Charm said her food was horrible. So we were all a bit disapointed with that place.

In order to get into the place we stayed in, there was like 2 sections of 8 stairs. So, needless to say, I definitely got my pulmonary rehab while I was there at the beach. The last time I walked up the stairs, my bad knee started screaming at me that this would be the LAST time she was climbing any stairs for a long time. Luckily, we were leaving the next day so I just didn't leave the house anymore until I walked down to go to the car to leave for home. :) Also, I had forgotten how difficult it could be to walk on sand! The neighbor had a golf cart, so he drove me to the beach entrance and dropped me off and picked me back up each time. That was super nice of him. Other wise my mom would have had to drive me across the street and find somewhere to park.

But, now we're home. My skin is still on fire slightly and now itching like crazy. I still look like a lobster. I hope this redness dies down and turns into a tan. The pool opens this weekend, so I'm super excited. I'm ready to go swimming. We noticed on our way into the neighborhood that they had already filled it full of water. Yay!

Well, I'm falling asleep, so I think I'm going to take a nap before dinner. Talk at ya later!

Life's a beach...or it will be soon!

2009-05-19T17:24:00.001-04:00

Hey y'all!

Today has been pretty slow and boring. Nothing interesting going on to report. I've just been sitting around bored as hell, playing on myspace and facebook. Ughh. I have no life. I wish I'd get my call soon! I'm getting so impatient!

We've been working on getting packed for the beach and all that. Mom is driving me crazy about the o2 plans. I've been on the phone 1000 times with the o2 people so far b/c she won't get off my back about it. Grrr! She can be so frustrating to deal with sometimes! She is making me not even want to go anymore. :-(

Luke was able to sneak and call me last night so that made my day, or should I say, night :) I swear, lung disease or no lung disease, I never would have been able to survive being in the ARMY. Sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag in 40 degree weather? I Don't think so. People yelling at you and telling you what to do all the time? I think not. Not this chick! I enjoy the finer things in life...like clean toilets and showers, piping hot extra cheese pizza whenever I want, privacy and cable t.v. I really don't know how he's endured all these years as a soldier.

Anywho's...I gotta go set the table for dinner. Mac & Cheese and pigs in a blanket...MMMM! "Get in my bellyyyyy!"

P.S. I added a few more pics to the slide show. Enjoy.

Bikins and Moo-Moos oh my!

2009-05-18T18:32:00.001-04:00

Hello my loyal followers!

I hope every one is having a good Monday. (Booooo Mondays!) I began my Monday off with the gift of a sleep episode, courtesy of the Sleep Episode Monster. Woo hoo! Nothing like a sleep episode to start off your week. Actually, I had one yesterday as well. Which couldn't have come at a worse time b/c I had promised my Mom that I would go with her to church. I forced myself to get out of bed even though I could barely stay awake and slowly got dressed. By the time we got there, I thought I had a pretty good chance of being able to make it through church but I was mistaken. I couldn't stay awake for anything! So half way through church I asked Mom if she could take me home b/c I was just embarrasing myself falling asleep in the pew. Luke says that I must have been possessed by a sleep demon to have not been able to stay awake in church. I guess that demon can join the rest of the ones possessing my mind and body. haha :)

After church yesterday Mom took me shopping, yay! Since we're going to the beach late Wed. night she said that I needed some more pairs of shorts since only two of mine still fit me. And she said she'd get me a swimsuit also. I was afraid that I might not fit in my bikini's since I've become such a lardass. I had planned on getting a cute one piece, like maybe a monokini, but unfortunately Lexington blows when it comes to having a lot of choices when you are shopping for ANYTHING. So all the one pieces that we could find were made for 40 year olds and above. And although I'm not proud of my weight gain as of late, I'm no where near ready for one of those moo moo's! :) SO, I ended up buying a bikini instead. Which I really didn't want to do but it was either that or a moo-moo suit. Oh well. It will only be for a few days. I have all summer to get a cute one piece.

Mom also bought me a pair of shorts, some capris, a skirt and about 3 or 4 tops. :) I'm super psyched! AND...I bought myself 4 new pairs of shoes. Don't fret, they were all on sale. :) So now, I'm all ready for the beach. I just wish the weather was going to be better than the forecast predicts. Oh well. Such is life.

Victoria and I made a pact that we will both walk on the treadmill every day. I will walk for 10 minutes a day and she will walk for 12 minutes. It has taken every ounce of self discipline that I can muster to actually follow through with this hellacious pact. But, with help from Luke's verbal kick in the ass to get me going, I've actualy done it! I've walked on the treadmill 3 days in a row and my legs are rebelling. Hopefully the more I keep doing it, the less pain I will feel.

I'm going to be so bored the next few days until I go to the beach b/c Luke has been kidnapped by the Army and forced into some sort of field training. I'm not sure what kind of training, but I'm relatively sure that it involves shooting guns and/or blowing shit up. But, now I won't be able to talk to him until he gets back. :-( BOOOOOO! So, I may end up blogging more the next few days. We'll see.

Anyways, time for me to eat my pizza. Jealous? HAHA. :)

As the O2 Tank Turns.....

2009-05-15T19:00:00.001-04:00

What's up Y'all. *sigh*

I'm finally home from "The Thrill" (Chapel Hill - transplant clinic) and I am so freakin' tired!!!!!! I had to get up at 7 A.M. so we could leave by 8:00 and I couldn't sleep very well all night. I kept tossing and turning. So, I was already tired when I started my day. It took me like 45 mins. to find something to wear. Okay - maybe I spent 15-20 of those mins. talking to Luke {my new man} but, hey - who's keeping tabs? I know I'm not! Anywho's, everything I put on had some reason why I couldn't wear it. Being either too warm or too short or too revealing (thanks Boob Fairy!) or too thin, making my bra too noticible. Getting dressed turned into a war in itself. Finally we left the house at 10 past 8:00.

Because we were running a little late, we were rushing to get there in time. Well, everything was going fine until Mom decided she wanted to waste a chunk of cash by getting a speeding ticket. I was like, "gahhhhh mom!" The cop was a total jackass. Mommy tried explaining that she was just trying to get me to the hospital (pan over to the poor helpless oxygen girl in the passenger seat). I even gave him my best "AHh! My lungs!!!" pained face but it STILL didn't affect him. He still wrote my Mom a speeding ticket. It was turning out to be such a wonderful start to the day!

As Mom steered me wrecklessly into transplant clinic via the World's Most Uncomfortable Wheelchair, I was immediately intercepted by Kristen. (transplant team Physical therapist) She informed me that she was taking me (by force if necessary) to do a 6 min. walk. I pouted but to no avail. She was out for blood and wouldn't take no for an answer.

After my 6 min. walk was completed, I finally was taken to a room where my vitals were taken. My blood pressure was high (140/90) but the nurse said it was probably because I just finished the 6 min. walk. I hope she's right! Damn these cold hearted lungs!!!!

Then............I stepped on the scales. When the numbers had finally ceased their flashing and I saw the end result....I went blind with rage. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! WHY ME!!!" I had gained MORE weight!!! Now, instead of the 115 lbs from my previous weigh in, I was 117. I was so pissed off, I wanted to set fire to the scales. The only thing that probably stopped me was that I don't own a lighter and that I probably would have caught on fire myself.

After that depressing display of my lardassness, I was taken to my room to be stabbed in the arm and drained of my blood. At least it was only 3 vials worth this time, as opposed to the 10 or more they took the last time I was there. By this time it was like 1 pm or so. I hadn't eaten since I inhaled a honey bun in the car on the way up there this morning and I was hungry. After the blood letting, I was once again whisked away to the Torture Room, otherwise known as the PFT room. My FEV1 has gone up 1 point from 18 to 19. So, I guess that is good? Even though 19 isn't anything to write home to Momma about.

After I settled back into my room, I spent about 45 minutes talking to and texting Luke while waiting for the Dr. She eventually came in and everything went smoothly from there. Everything checked out okay and I don't need to get my oil changed again for another 3 months. :) Although, she did tell me that my white count was slightly elevated which could indicate the beginnings of an infection. So, she gave me a prescription for an oral antibiotic (Cipro) just to be cautious and went on her merry little way.

Before we left, we saw Becky, the other coordinator (My coordinator, Ken, wasn't there) and she shared some interesting information with me. What is this info you ask? Stay tuned and you will find out in the next episode of As the O2 Tank Turns!

..................................SIKE!!!!!!!! Just kidding! I had you fooled!! Admit it!!! You were pouting, weren't you!!? :)...................................

Becky told me that they are having 3 to 4 offers of lungs for ME per week now. Cool, huh? :) She said that felt like I would be getting my transplant soon. Which, on one hand is super exciting..but on the other hand, I don't want to get too excited or put too much stock in her prediction b/c they have told me that before months ago. Plus, I waited over 3 years the first time, before going off the list. So, who knows! But it is definitely nice to know that I'm on the radar!

Also, I'm happy b/c she told me that I can go over to see Vickie's house and hang out, as long as I don't go when I'm feeling sick and that I don't get all in his face or hug up to him. :) YAY!!!!!!! I'm not banned anymore!!! WOO HOO!!! Mom and I were supposed to have lunch with Garran and Vickie today after clinic. Garran had clinic this morning also. But, we ended up not getting to do lunch. :-( But at least I got to see them at clinic in passing. G-man looked great and so full of energy. He even proudly showed me where he had his G-tube removed. YAY for Garran!!!

Okay, thats all I have to report about my clinic visit. I'm tired as hell so I'm going to stop here before I ramble on for another hour. I have more texting to do. :)

I'm off like a prom dress!!!!

Transplant clinic tomorrow.

2009-05-15T01:49:00.001-04:00

What's up Y'all.

It's been a while since I've posted but there hasn't been much to talk about. Same old, same old. It's 1:45 a.m. right now and I'm about to call it a night. Especially since I have to get up in a little over 5 hours. Tomorrow I have a transplant clinic appointment in Chapel Hill. I'm sure there will be something to report on afterwords, there usually is at least. So, I'll update tomorrow afternoon when I get home. I'm looking forward to seeing Vicki, Chris and the kids and having lunch with them! It's been a while.

Until tomorrow!

Yes Margaret, there IS a Boob Fairy!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-30T02:22:00.000-04:00

Hey Y'all.

I've actually been feeling pretty well the last few days, for once. I've spent a lot of time with my friend Lori and my friend Jonathan. It has been beautiful outside and warm. Summer is right around the corner and I'm super excited about that. Except for one thing: my new arch nemesis, the GUT. I've spoken about this horrid new lump of lard around my middle quite a few times on here lately.

How the hell am I supposed to squeeze this body into my bikinis? Something has to change, and quickly! I plan on spending most of my summer down at the pool. And I refuse to go down there looking like this. I'm not used to having a huge belly and it's really pissing me off. If I outgrow one more pair of jeans or shorts, I think I'm going to scream until I can't breathe and pass out. The other day I put on a Small thong and 4 hours later, I had painful deep indentations in my skin from the elastic in it!!! I'm surprised I wasn't numb from the ass down!

The time is now people. My body is sending out a Fat Kid Alert that has reached the infamous level of Code "Red Twizzler." I've decided that this calls for drastic measures. YES, folks, MORE EXERCISE. I bought a mat and pilates dvd from Wal Mart. I am going to attempt to do some pilates. This, in addition to the treadmill, will hopefully help to erase some of this gut. *fingers crossed* If anyone has any suggestions of something I can do to help me tighten my stomach (aka lose this pony keg) that isn't too taxing on my breathing, please let me know.

While I may be having trouble adjusting to this new tub o' lard, there is one not so horrible side effect that I'm experiencing. My tits have become gi-normous!!!!!!! I have noticed it a bit, off and on, but I didn't realize just how much larger they are until I went out to dinner last night with Lori and her mother. As usual, my only shorts were dirty due to the fact that I only have 2 pairs of shorts that fit me now. (both bought recently b/c I outgrew all my others) Because it was so hot outside, I wanted something cool to wear, so I put on one of my favorite dresses that is both comfortable and cute. I knew that it showed a little cleavage, but hey, I was feeling good and spring is in the air, so why not show off a little, right? Well, I had no idea the surprise I was about to get. As I pulled on my dress, thankful that it still fit in the first place, I was shocked when my tits damn near popped out to blind me! THEY LOOKED HUGE!!!!!!!!!!

Floored, I was both a little self concsious and gleefully excited as I peered down at my massive cleavage in awe. The new and improved twins were here and ready to flaunted!!! And apparantly, they weren't going to take no for an answer!

So kiddies, the moral to my story is, God really DOES answer prayers! (hahahhahahah) So never stop praying! :)

I hope you are all having a great week! Stay away from that evil Swine Flu!!!!!

This is the dress that I wore last night at dinner. But, almost a year ago. lol

Hair, Makeup, Stat!

2009-04-23T20:17:00.001-04:00

I’m back! And ready for my close up!!! :)

Greetings from Hollywood! Okay, well maybe not HOLLYWOOD, but hey, a girl can dream can’t she?!

My interview on Tues. morning went good. Kimberly Van Scoy was super cool and nice. And she is so pretty! She’s such a natural at her job. I was sooo nervous at first but she quickly put me at ease. It’s not everyday that you have a big ass t.v. camera pointed on you while you’re being interviewed.

I posted the video link on my facebook page. Aside from the fact that I looked like I ate my weight in food before the interview and that I sounded like Brittany Spears with asthma, all in all, I think the interview was a success. Y’all check it out and tell me what you think! Click on the link below!

My Interview

Moving right along, yesterday I had to go to Chapel Hill to get my I.V. yanked, see the doctor and go to support group. Now I am officially I.V. free and couldn’t be happier! WOOO HOOO! I would like to thank Percocet, for which I would have never been able to get through the painful first few days of the I.V. or the painful removal of said I.V.

I had a good doctor’s visit, everything went well on that front. Then we barely had enough time to get to the support group meeting before it started.

It was a great meeting. The transplant surgeon Dr. Haithcock spoke and I learned a lot that I didn’t know before hand, about rejection and other transplant related things. He is very down to earth and I feel confident in his abilities as a surgeon.

Then, after group, Jonathan and I (my friend who took me to chapel hill) went out to dinner with Victoria and her fam. to Ruby Tuesdays. Mmmm my favorite! I got my favorite meal and enjoyed every last minute of it.

We finally got home last night around 11 p.m. and I was exhausted. I’d had a long day. But, instead of going straight to sleep like I planned, what did I do when I got home? I stayed up ‘til 3:00 A.M. playing fuckin’ Farm Town in Facebook! Arrgghhh!!! Those animals don’t wanna be fenced in for shit!!! I was determined that I wasn’t going to lay down ‘til I had at least 3 of them in the fence. And that’s exactly what I did. Meghann – 1, Animals – 0.

I’m falling asleep. So I better go before I end up face down in this laptop. Toodles!

Lights, Camera, ACTION!

2009-04-20T19:25:00.001-04:00

Hey Ya’ll what’s up!

I know it’s been a little while since I wrote. I haven’t had a lot of motivation lately. I’ve just been sitting around and sleeping a lot. And adjusting to being truly single for the first time in almost four years. Although I’ve been tired a lot and unmotivated, I feel like I’m emotionally in a good place for the first time in a long time. I wouldn’t say I’m happy, per say, but closer than I’ve come in a long time. I’m looking forward to the future with new lungs and new experiences.

Here’s the big news….Kimberly Van Scoy of Channel 11 news is coming to my house tomorrow morning to interview me!!! She wants to hear my story and talk about organ donation, etc. I’m excited but really nervous! She will be here at 8:00 a.m. so that means I have to get up at like 6:30 so Mom can help me fix my hair! I hope I don’t make a fool of myself! Wish me luck!

On the transplant front, my coordinator called me the other day and told me that my L.A.S. (Lung Allocation Score for those of you that aren’t familiar with the lung transplant lingo) did, in fact, go up a bit. So yay!!!! It’s still not very high compared to most folks, but any increase is better than nothing. Right?

My pulmonologist called me the other day and told me that my Tobrimyacin levels were too high, so she told me to stop taking it!!! Yay! No more I.V. antibiotics. So right now, all I have to do is flush it once a day until Wed. Then on Wed. I have an appointment to get it yanked in the Vascular lab and then I have an appointment with her (my pulmonologist) at 3:30.

Then, after my pulmo. appt. I’m meeting Victoria and the fam for dinner and then it’s off to support group at 6:00. Dr. Haithcock is speaking. (he’s one of the lung transplant surgeons) I’m looking forward to support group since I haven’t actually been in person in a while.

Anyway, that’s all that’s been going on with me lately, so if you didn’t know, now you know!!! :) I’ll catch y’all later!

Peas.

Hoppy Easter Weekend!

2009-04-13T17:15:00.001-04:00

What’s up Bitches?

I hope everyone is having a happy Easter long weekend! My weekend has been pretty good. Well aside from having this IV in my arm still!

On Saturday my brother and I went to Carborro to my friend Tiffany’s Lungiversary party. It was to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of her 2nd double lung transplant! Even though I wasn’t feeling all that great physically, I wanted to attend anyway! I’d been looking forward to it. I gave her a pretty silver organ donation ribbon pendant that was covered with green cubic zirconias. I bought myself one too. :) She loved it, so that was good!

We had dinner at this neat restaurant called Southern Rail or Railway, can’t remember exactly. The tables were in train cars. The food was pretty good, especially the nachos! Then after dinner we went next door to a bar called the Station. It was awesome b/c it was was smoke free! YAY!!! My friend Victoria (Garran’s mom) met everyone at the bar, so it was good to see her again.

We stayed until around 10 pm then left to go home. I was getting tired and needed to do my IV antibiotic. I hooked up to the IV in the car. It only takes about 30-45 for the medicine to finish.

Sunday morning, I went to church with my Mom for Easter. She bought me a new dress to wear! So I felt pretty for once. :) Despite the IV. But then again, perhaps it was the perfect accessory! HEHE :) But, I had had a sleep episode, so I was so tired during church that I kept falling asleep and dropping my program. OOps! :)

We ate a really good lunch! I’m actually going to eat leftovers for dinner in a little while. It was very tasty.

Anyways, I’m off! Check out the pic below, from Tiffany’s Lungiversary party! I’m gone!

Yippeeeee!

2009-04-10T03:10:00.001-04:00

Hey Y’all!

You won’t believe what I got tonight!!! A new laptop!!! Holy shit! I’m in shock myself! Its pretty! It’s a long story how it became to be mine. But, I’m fucking stoked!!! Now I just need new lungs and all will be right with the world!!!

I’ll write more tomorrow! *skips off happily*

Paroled!

2009-04-08T01:02:00.001-04:00

Hey Y'all!

I've been paroled! I'm finally home after 4 days of being in the hospital. I'm feeling a lot better, although of course not 100%. Probably won't be feeling that way until sometime after I finish my course of IV antibiotics. I'm having to do them at home. :-( Which sucks, but it's better than being inpatient in the hospital.

Although, I would be lying if I said that I didn't miss seeing my beautiful, sexy male doctors that were looking after me during my incarceration. :) Oh man. They were so sexy. I will miss them. *sigh*

I was so relieved b/c I didn't have any sleep episodes in the hospital. But, what happens when i get home? Last night I had a really bad one! I was so out of it when I woke, that the guy that brought my IV meds gave me the paper to sign and i just stared at it, trying to get my head together. It took me like 10 minutes to sign my name. He had to re explain it to me like 3 times b/c my head was so messed up. I couldnt focus my eyes and i kept falling asleep! It was horrible.

So then I got up and the nurse came to do my first IV dose. Then I went back to sleep. And had ANOTHER one! :-( I don't understand why it didn't happen at the hospital for 4 nights, but then I come home and it happens twice in 24 hours. :-( Oh well.

I'm going to lay down and sleep for the night. Ill holler later.

Incarcerated - Hospital stay '09

2009-04-04T08:17:00.002-04:00

Hey Y'all

I'm writing from the nurse's computer in my hospital room. So YAYYYYYYYYYYYY! I have the net!!! But, right when I thought God was smiling down on me and blessing me with internet access, I was bitchslapped in the face. B/c some bitch ass at the hospital decided to block Facebook!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! It won't even let you open the site! So, me, being the sneaky sneakster that I am, thought perhaps I could hack into the browser or internet settings and fix it. But they even blocked access to the fuck'n settings!!!! Bastards! They are so cruel!

I have to quit talking about it or I'm going to cry...so...

They've started me on IV tobi and levaqin. I get the tobi at 9 am, the levaquin at 10 am and then the Tobi again at 9pm. And of course I get to hit the albuterol pipe like 3 or 4 times a day, follwed by chest PT's. So far the blood work has come back and they said it all looks great. So that's good. Now they're waiting to read the results of the chest x-ray and the sputum culture. I hope they come back as okay too.

I've had to be hooked up to their bipap machine b/c I didn't bring mine. Smart move , I know. So the mask they have here is insane. I fought hard with it and eventually won the battle and was able to get some much needed sleep.

I have 2 really hot Dr.'s. One is German, straight off the boat and he has the most beautiful eyes. I want to marry him and have his little blue eyed german babies. The other one is really cute as well. I cant remember their names, but they are freakin hot.

So all in all, my spirits are still up and I'm feeling a bit better already. I'll post again later probably, seeing as how I'm bored and there is no facebook. :-(

'Til later.

I hate you, lungs.

2009-04-03T11:44:00.001-04:00

Hey Y'all.

*sigh* Once again, I'm going into the hospital to start some IV antibiotics. Right on cue. It seems to always happen in April. It's like my lungs have a force field around them that lasts only 11 months. Then, at some point during the 12th month (usually within the first 2 weeks) I'm forced to go into the "big house" for some much needed IV rejuvenation.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to get online while I'm there. I probably doubt it, since my laptops don't work right now. I'm supposed to be there over the weekend, then hopefully get a PICC line on Monday and go home to finish the rest of the IV treatment at home.

I've been hacking non stop and wheezing like a bitch. I've slept a total of 3 hours within the last 2 days. And all 3 of those were night before last. My temp has been fluctuating between 99.4 and 100. I look and feel like utter horse shit.

Anyway, I'll write whenever I get a chance, which will probably be when I get home. Although I'm praying that the Internet Gods will smile on me and I'll somehow be able to come online at some point during my incarceration.

Wish me luck.

Transplants dreams and Levaquin. Yay.

2009-04-01T02:04:00.000-04:00

Hey Y'all.

This morning I woke up after having a very interesting dream. I dreamed that I had gotten my transplant! Only things went a lot differently than I expected them to go.

First of all, the incision went completely around my body. ALL the way around. In a circle. And it was super painful afterward. I could barely move at all. Every time I lifted my arms or leaned over or leaned to the side or anything, it hurt.

Another very unrealistic thing was that they sent me home on the 2nd day! They were just like, "Okay bye!" Of course, I didn't fight them on it, but after I got home, I started to feel a little scared and unsure. B/c they didn't even give me any directions or tell me how to take care of myself. They didn't even give me my prescriptions for my meds! And I remember being very worried b/c I realized that I didn't have any masks to wear over my face when I left the house.

The dream was very bizarre. But, I hope it means that I will get my call soon. But, I pray that it doesn't happen the way it did in the dream. I know my center would never send me home unprepared though!

I finally heard back from my doctor today and she put me on Levaquin. BOOOOO! I've been wheezing like a bitch and I had to smoke my Albuterol pipe tonight for the first time in like 6 months. I just pray that I'm not feeling yucky on Saturday! I don't want to have to miss the Donate Life Walk that I'm supposed to volunteer at.

Tonight, Mom and I watched that movie Seven Pounds, with Will Smith. I honestly don't know what to say about that movie. It wasn't bad...but...It just...shit, I don't know what to say. I'm speechless. Which, as you all know, rarely happens. But, it's definitely worth seeing. So if you haven't seen it, check it out.

Well, I'm off!

My Moments in the sun?

2009-03-30T23:04:00.001-04:00

Hey y'all.

Guess what?! I'm gonna be on the radio. And maybe T.V. too! I emailed 3 local radio stations in the area and 2 of the tv news stations last night. I told them that April is National Donate Life Month and that they should discuss it on the air.

Well today, when I checked my email, I had been emailed back by one of the news channels and one of the radio stations! The lady at the radio station said she wants to interview me and pre record it. Then play it during a live radio show that she does on Sundays. :) Then the girl from the news station said that she would love to do a story with me! So maybe that means I will be on t.v.!! :)

I'm super excited! :) But, a little nervous too. Now I have to make sure that I end up going shopping this week! B/c I have to look hot if I'm going to be on t.v!!!! :)

Don't worry y'all, I'll still love you when I'm FAMOUS! :) HAHAHAHHAHAHAA :) JUST JOSHING!!!!!

Happy 8 Months on the Transplant List to me!

2009-03-29T17:45:00.001-04:00

What's up Bitches?

Well, today officially marks my 8th month on the transplant list. I'm not surprised by any means that I've had to wait this long. Especially considering that the first time I was listed, I waited over 3 years before ending up going inactive on the list. In the grand scheme of things 8 months is not long at all when you compare it to others who have been listed for a year or more. Or even YEARS, like I was the first time around. I'm just happy that I'm still as healthy as possible and stable for the most part.

<Okay...so that was the positive, rational Meghann speaking, now it's the irrational, negative Meghann's turn.>

WHAT THE F**K!!!!!!!!!! I am sooooooo tired of waiting!!!!!!! Why haven't they called?!??!! Enough, already! I want my new lungs!!!!!!! I'm soooo tired of getting out of breath and being on oxygen!!!!!!! My nose has now got a permanent bump on the bridge from the freakin' bipap mask, I'm tired all the time and have no energy, AND I'm getting fatter by the day cuz the one thing that truly brings me joy is feeding my face!! WHEN WILL THIS NIGHTMARE END??!!!

*injects herself with ativan and closes her eyes as she succumbs to her newfound calmness*

I know I should quit bitching. I'm not the only one in this f**ked up situation. My friend Bree has been waiting for 11 months today. (yep we share our list anniversary) So, I know she is pulling her hair out as well. I'm glad I'm not alone in this rocky boat! I hope we both get our calls soon. Here's to both of us getting THE call soon!

*takes a shot of Welches grape juice*

Peace and chicken grease, bitches!

Full Mental Break Down Averted.

2009-03-28T17:07:00.001-04:00

Hello Everyone,

How is everyone feeling out there in blog land? Me...I'm okay I suppose. Except for the slight mental breakdown I just had a few moments ago.

I was doing my bi-weekly check of the transplant waiting list (Click here for waiting list data) b/c...well, just b/c I'm curious and nosy like that. Don't judge me! Anyways, like I was saying, I was doing my biweekly check of the list and I ran across some disturbing information.

For a while now, I've been the only person with B blood type listed at my transplant center(UNC). And also, the whole state. (Duke is the only other center though hehe) But, as I was passing the time by browsing the waiting list, I discovered *GASP* that there was another B blood type listed as well!!!! NOOOOOOOooooooooo!

The possible implications of this discovery? This could mean that I have been shoved back on the list!!! Someone could have ended my rightful reign at the top, as Number 1!!!

Upon further, sneaky, investigation, I was able to discover that this person is a male, aged between 50-65 years of age. Which, actually made me feel a bit better.

THEN, Bree with her infinite wisdom, pointed out that while he may also be of B bloodtype, like myself, it is rather rare for grown men to be 5' 1. (My height) So, therefore, the chances of us actually competing when it came to available organs was rare. Since, lungs of my size would be too small of his body and vice versa.

So, mad props to Bree from stopping me from going into a full blown mental breakdown!!! Thanks girl!

Time for dinner, bitches!

Top 10: Ways to Know You're on the Lung Transplant List

2009-03-26T16:09:00.001-04:00

Hidey Ho Bitches.

I'm bored. I'm sitting around being lazy, waiting on the Duke game to start tonight. I was going to go shopping today, but it was ugly and rainy outside so I decided against it. So, I will go tomorrow or Saturday instead. My recent jump into the world of the obese has found me without any shorts that fit for this spring/summer. Therefore, unless I want to wear elastic waisted gym shorts all summer, I must buy new ones. But, I supposed it could wait one more day, or two.

Alas, here is some thoughts to stimulate your brain. Enjoy. :)

Top 10 Ways to Know You're on the Lung Transplant List:

1. Your idea of a mustache is an oxygen nasal cannula.

2. You consider chest physical therapy a form of relaxing massage.

3. You plan your social life around the presence of stairs/steps.

4. You have gotten into arguments over the difference between treadmill vs. regular walking. And don't even get you started on the 6 minute walk!

5. You taught yourself to blow "O's" with your nebulizer pipe!

6. The words "list" and "team" or any phrasing there of, have taken on whole new connotations.

7. You enjoy throwing around medical abbreviations such as: O2, CO2, FEV1, FVC, PFT, and L.A.C. and watching people's heads explode.

8. You've affectionately named your portable O2 tanks as Lil' Larry and Short Sharon or Mini Meg and your pager as Mr. Beepers.

9. You daydream of punching "sympathetic" asthmatics in the eye and screaming, "YOU HAVE NO IDEA!" (no offense)

10. Two Words: Handicapped Parking.

Pass the cheesey poofs please.

2009-03-24T13:50:00.000-04:00

What's up My bitches?

First of all, I would like to start this post off by saying: HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got 15 of the Sweet 16 correct on my NCAA tournament bracket!!! YEAH! I'm so psyched! I am shocked that I did that well so far, my first time filling out brackets! YEAH! I rock! :) My bracket is going well, Duke is doing great in the tourney, and all is right with the world!

I have been such a lazy ass lately. All I've been doing is sitting around playing Mafia Wars on Douchebook, chatting with my friends on IM, eating like a starved ethiopian kid on pot and sleeping. This is what has become of my life. If my transplant doesn't happen soon I'm going to go into the record books as the World's Fattest Oxygen Starved Loser. They will end up kicking me off the transplant list for being clinically obese and I'll end up on a Maury Povich episode entitled, "I was kicked off the transplant list for being too fat! Pass me the mashed potatos, bitches!"

*Sigh* What has my life become? Oh well. Shit happens. Or as my good friend Nate says, "Two Tears in a bucket, mother f*ck it!"

I've been feeling rather creative lately. Most of it has stemmed from annoyance and anger at certain people in my life. But, I can't decide if I want to draw something, or write something. I'm leaning towards the drawing, b/c If i write something it will probably just be a lot of hateful, bitter words with swear word after swear word. And although it would make me feel better, it won't really accomplish anything.

Tomorrow I have my second appointment with my new pyschologist. And, BOY, she is gonna get an earfull!

Well I think I may go attempt to clean my room a little. Pray for me. There is no teling what I may encounter back there. I hope I return with all my fingers and toes intact.

Peace and chicken grease!

NCAA Tourney - Only 3 wrong picks so far, not bad for a first timer!

2009-03-20T02:01:00.001-04:00

Hey Bitches,

I hope everyone is doing well. I am doing pretty damn good. I'll tell you why. Last night I finished filling out my first ever NCAA tournament bracket. I took my time, looking at each time playing against each other, etc. So tonight, 16 teams played. I'm not sure if it was 16 games, or just 16 teams, meaning 8 games. Anyway...

Out of the 16...I only missed 3!!! :) I'm pretty proud of myself. I wonder how the rest of the tourney will go for me. :) Tonight Duke played and I ended up watching it at a friends house. And YES I wore my Duke hoody! :)

Anywho's...there's not much more going on around here lately. Mom is pretty sick with a bad case of Bronchitis. She sounds like she's trying to couch a lung up. :-( I'm a little worried about her, but she is on an antibiotic and she had a chest x-ray done either yesterday or today. She's just waiting to hear back from the doctor.

Well, if I think of anything else, I'll write it later. Toodles!

Duke 2009 ACC Champions - Suck on that Tardheels!

2009-03-15T16:13:00.001-04:00

Hello there....

Ahhh....Victory is so sweet. Duke is finally, once again back on top where they belong. They've won the ACC Championship and all is right with the world. I'm glad I was able to stay awake long enough to see them beat Florida St. Up next: The NCAA tournament. Hopefully we will conquer there as well. *knock on wood*

Alas, now that the game is over, I shall retire to my bed for a nap of sorts. Hope everyone is having a great day.

Thank you, drive through please!!