The best gift ever!

My house was all a buzz today, and this exciting news is busting to come out! I can't hold it in anymore. I guess part of me was like a new mom, I didn't want to jinx it and tell everyone... ITS A NEW LIVER! and then it not work out, and have to explain to everyone that it must be for the best, and not to worry because it will happen in Gods time. I also didn't want anyone to feel like they were my only hope, and be obligated or guilted into being my donor... I know, the things that go through my mind. But anyway, like I said earlier, I can't contain it any longer. I received not one, not two but four different phone calls from nurses and coordinators today telling me all is ago! There was a lot of red tape, authorizations, board meetings (They really want to make sure that a new organ is for sure your only hope and that once you get it, you are going to take good care of it. This is a HUGE gift to receive and sadly there are people who die everyday waiting for it.) but it looks like I am going to be one of the lucky ones, and here is why...

This last Thanksgiving while up North visiting with family, Jason's cousin hesitated as she began slowly asking a few questions about my health as we sat together. I don't mind talking about it, I am a dork who finds it very interesting and actually gets slightly animated when I start to explain some things-- probably in too much detail. haha) but of course if you ask me, I have no problem with admitting... I am not scared of surgery, I am not scared of pain, I am actually (believe it or not) not scared of death itself, I am not scared about what will happen to me at all, only that I won't be here for my family. Will my son remember me? ...and will Jason remember to brush his teeth? And even though I didn't think much more about the conversation after, Nancy went back to her guest room and did. She then talked it over with her husband and family, and they decided they wanted to help. Now, I did let her know.. there will be a scar, there are always risks with surgery, and she will never be able to get rid of me after, but she still wanted to go through with it.

She got her blood type, filled out the paperwork and has her first USC appointment in a few weeks. She is an amazing woman, with an amazing family and even if all of the testing doesn't work out as planned now, or anything changes her mind, it doesn't matter. She will always be my hero. You will always be my hero Nancy! And Lynn and Christa and Mona and Annette and Lisa and Mandy (and anyone that I don't know about) for trying! It is not an easy thing to do and more than I would ever expect from anyone, but I am thankful. And you will all be in my heart forever. It really is surreal. I am going to live again.... really LIVE. Take River to the Park, run, play...

So, I got a call from my nurse at USC, excited and then warning - Be compliant, stay healthy so that we can get the new one in. Another call from coordinator at St. Jude... I sent out a letter today, she said, but I had to call and give you the news myself. Dr. Jamal's office, just telling me that they got a copy by fax today... SO EXCITING, she said, FINALLY, I'm Praying for you girl!! And finally, one from my financial coordinator letting me know that all will be covered for my donor -- which she just found out today by my nurse that I have one lined up! It makes me cry to see all of the people who are excited for me, excited for my family. This is really going to happen, I am going to get better, Larry is vacating the premises, and words cannot describe the love and gratitude I have for Nancy. I would be honored to accept a sliver of your liver, and even though River has named this new and improved one Sally, I have a feeling she is going to be difficult and want to be called by some other name like Alex (tehehe, I'll let you explain that one Nancy) Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I really must have done something right to be loved by so many amazing people! And thank God, because it is all happening in the nick of time.