Saturday January 30

Was up early as always.  Put on a fluid around 5am just to get it going.  

Friday....Colin went home to visit with his mom.   My mom and dad came to Pittsburgh to stay with me.  We hung out Friday and ran some errands, watched a movie and went to Longhorn for dinner.

Saturday morning we end to IHOP for breakfast.   We came back home and I put on another fluid.  After I was done with the fluids we decided to get out and do something.   We went to the strip district.   We walked around and went in to a couple of stores.  There's a really cool store with iron works and signs etc.   dad bought a couple of things there for in his garage.  It was a fun little excursion and was cool for them to experience plus it is free which is always a bonus.

After the strip district we went to the Dusquense incline.  We took it to the top (mom wasn't too fond of it!) and went to the lookout.   We walked up the street and went to a different lookout to see another view.   It's gorgeous up there!!  It was pretty cool to be able to show them.  

 Just some of the pictures from the day.  I look terrible but that's ok.... I wasn't feeling so hot.

After the excursions we did a little shopping.   We came home and dinner was ready because I put it in the crock pot before we left.  Mom and dad ate dinner and then we chilled out and watched tv.   

Around 7, I started to get my stuff together for bed and my tpn.  Mom is working on a quilt.  Her and dad were spending their time on that while I finished all the bracelets.  It was a good day all in all.

On another note....I tried the antibiotic at night.  It didn't really make a difference.  I was really hoping it would.   We will see how I feel today and if I'm in a fog or if it helped with that part of it at least.

I will check back later and let you know.   Have a good day!!!!

Friday January 29

Was up early.  Took off my tpn, showered and changed my osteomy.  

I changed all the bed clothes and washed them.  I got together my transplant bag so when I get the call I can just grab it and go.  I organized my osteomy supplies because I should be getting a reorder this week and I'll need the room.  

I put on a fluid and watched tv for a little bit.  Then I got up and made peach cobbler.  Not sure why but I had the ingredients and I was bored.  After lunch time I had to run a couple of errands.  I needed to get Manila envelopes to send the bracelets to the people that are helping me sell them.  The other day I went over to copy max across the street and they wanted 7.99 for 4!!!  I got 8 for $1 at dollar tree.  Ridiculous!! After Dollar Tree I stopped at Michaels and got the last couple of colors for the bracelets.  Then I stopped at the store for some ginger ale and orange juice.  

I got home and finished making the bracelets.  I have all 200 done!!!  I'm working on the finishing touches and attaching them to cards explaining what they are for, how much, etc.  

We went over to Longhorne Steakhouse for dinner.  I didn't have anything prepared to cook.  After dinner we came home.  I worked on the bracelets some more and then I got together my tpn stuff and got ready for bed.  I fell asleep fairly early and slept ok for the most part.  

I talked to Colin and we were trying to figure out a way to keep me from feeling so crappy during the day while I'm taking the antibiotics.  I think I'm going to try and take them in the evening when I'm putting on my tpn.  If it puts me in a fog....hopefully it will be a sleepy fog and maybe it will actually help me sleep and I'll be more alert and clear-headed during the day.  I'm going to skip doing them today and see if this plan works.  Fingers crossed for tonight.   Have a good day!  I'll update later!

Thursday January 28

Was up early.  Put on a fluid and my antibiotics first thing.  When they were done I got showered and dressed.  

I went through my clothes and organized them.  I put together my hospital bag for when I get the call.  That way I have everything ready and won't have to scramble.  After that I cleaned the whole house.  I dusted, vacuumed, mopped floors, scrubbed the bathroom, etc.

Then I ran over to return the Redbox movies.  I came back home and put on another fluid.  I relaxed on the couch and watched the movie Win Win.  It was a free movie on demand.  It wasn't too bad.  While I was watching it I made more bracelets.  

I enlisted some awesome friends to help me sell some bracelets!!   Thank you to everyone who is going to help!!!  I will get them to you as soon as possible.  

How was I feeling.....my day was ok.  I was nauseous all day and in my fog.  I was feeling pretty weak but it wasn't as bad as yesterday so maybe my body is adjusting a little.  We will see how today goes.  Have a good one!  I will check in later. 

Wednesday January 27

Was up at 3 this morning.  Had a pretty rough night.  

I got out of bed and went to the living room to lay down.  I watched tv and dozed on and off.  Around 7 I got up and took off my tpn.  I showered and got dressed.  I worked on my bracelets for about two hours.  

I needed a break so I ran to the store to get water because I forgot it yesterday.  Then I stopped at the redbox and got two movies.  I went home and watched Chi-Raq.  Stupid movie.  It really wasn't even worth the $2.  I ran my fluids while I was watching it.  I also did a couple loads of laundry.  And I continued making the bracelets.  I have over 100 done now.  

When the movie was over Colin got his dinner and we watched Burnt with Bradley Cooper.  It was actually a pretty good movie.  I would recommend it.  We just got done watching it.  It's close to 7.  I haven't been feeling the best this evening.  I'm back in my fog again.  I feel shaky and unstable.  I'm going to get ready for bed and hopefully get some sleep.  We will see.  

I hope you have a good night.  Until tomorrow.  

Tuesday January 26

I had my clinic appointment today.  We got there at 6am.  They did my blood work and gave me fluids.   The doctors made their rounds really early.  I told him how I've been feeling and what's going on.  He said that it's because we changed the steroids again.  On top of feeling crappy from that, I have thrush back really bad on my tongue and down my throat (from the steroids of course!).   They put me back on antibiotics for 10 days.  Now I'm going to have all the side effects from them.

We got home from clinic around 10:30.  We ran over and grabbed the mail because I hadn't gotten it since Thursday.  There was a note in the mail that I had a package so we went to the leasing office to pick it up.  My friend Sam Seifreid sent me a package with caffeine free herbal teas!!! How awesome is she?  She is always thinking about me and knows how to put a smile on my face.  It was such a nice surprise!  Thank you Sam!!!   Love you!!!

On another note....My osteomy bag's wax was starting to flake off so I changed it to be safe and so it didn't break on me.   I watched tv with Colin while it was sealing.  After it was done I ran to the store and grabbed water.  I didn't realize we were out yesterday when I went.  I got home and straightened up the kitchen.  Then I put on another fluid.

While my fluid was going I watched a movie on vh1.  The movie and fluids were done around the same time. When they were done it was time for me to leave for therapy.  My therapy session went well.  I am trying some new things with her help that will essentially (hopefully) help me shut off my brain at night so I can sleep.  As you can see by the time I am posting this, I am wide awake and it hasn't worked for me this evening but she said it takes practice.  

After therapy I came home.  Shawn called and I was on the phone with him for a little while.  I put on my tpn and drank some pina colada tea (thanks Sam!!) After I was ready for bed, I face timed Amber and the boys.  We talked for about a half hour and then I went to bed.  Hopefully tonight isn't too sleepless.  Sweet dreams everyone!

Monday January 25

Was up early again today.  About 4.  I stayed in bed until about 7:30.  I got up, took off my tpn, showered and got dressed.  I put on a fluid and chilled out for a couple hours while it was running.  I painted my nails while they were finishing.

After it was done I ran over to Michael's to get the rest of the stuff for the bracelets.  I also ran to TJ Max to get a chefs knife.  When I got home I cleaned out the fridge and took out the trash.  Then I started working on making more bracelets.  I made about 40.  That's what I spent the afternoon doing. 

Around 5 I got Colin dinner.  Around 6 I got my tpn ready and put it on since we have to be at clinic early tomorrow.  I had my sleepy time tea and now I'm cuddled in my heated blanket in bed.  

I'm feeling a little better today.  I'm going to talk to the doctors tomorrow about how I was feeling and see what they have to say.  I will keep you posted!!  Sweet dreams!

Sunday January 24

I slept a little better last night.  I woke up around 6:30 this morning.  I got up and took off my tpn, showered, got dressed and put on a fluid.  

I went to Michaels around 11 to look for stuff to make bracelets.  I grabbed a couple of different options and went home and messed around making different bracelets.  I think I've figured out how I'm going to do them and hopefully can enlist some of my friends and family to send them to to sell for me :).   I'm going to sell them for $5 a piece.  I made about 30 today so far. My plan is to make 200.  They are simple little anchor bracelets.  

I'm still not feeling well today but I am feeling a little bit better than yesterday.  I am still really nauseous and I'm weak in the knees.  My head is still in a fog.  I'm really trying to relax and take it easy.  I will call tomorrow and talk to Mary if things aren't better.  

Now we are watching the football game.  I'm going to clean up the dinner mess and put on my pjs in case I decide to doze off for a little.  

I hope you have a good night!  Sweet dreams!  

Saturday January 23

Had a rough night.   Was up extra early.  Put on my fluids and laid on the couch until they were done.   Got up and showered.  Changed my osteomy bag.  

We only got about 4/5" of snow total.  Colin decided that he wanted to make chili so we headed to the grocery store.  We got everything he needed and headed back to the house.  

I am not feeling well today.  My head hurts (probably from lack of sleep), my neck is really sore, I'm nauseous, my legs feel really weak and I just feel really run down.  I have been laying on the couch all day.  I have zero energy or motivation.  I'm not really sure what's going on.  If I don't feel better tomorrow we may end up going in to the ER to see what's going on.  

Right now we are watching a documentary on tv about a guy who goes out into the wilderness and tries to live on his own.  He leaves his family and friends behind.  

It's about 6:30.  I'm going to get my tpn ready and put on my pjs.  I think I'm going to lay down early tonight.  Maybe I can get some sleep and I'll feel better in the morning.  I will keep you posted.  Have a good night.

Friday January 22

Not a very eventful day for me.  Got up, took off my tpn, showered and got dressed.  Watched tv while my fluids were running.  

Around noon I decided to run to the store to get a pot roast to make for dinner.  Big mistake.  Everyone in Pittsburgh was at the store.  I was only buying 5 things and I was there for about an hour and a half.  

I checked the redbox on my way out and there was nothing left.  I got in the car and headed home.  Once home I got dinner together and threw it in the crock pot.  After I got dinner together I put on another bag of fluid and watched tv.  

Around 6, dinner was done.  Colin ate dinner.  I cleaned up and got all my tpn and meds together for the night.  I put it on around 8 and went to bed.

Colin went with some friends to the comedy club around 9.  I fell asleep after he left but was up every hour until he got home. I had a pretty rough night.  At 4 I got up and went to the living room to lay northern couch and watch tv.  Today is a snow day!!  Have a good one and stay safe!

Thursday January 21

Was up at 4am.  Got out of bed and went to the living room so I wouldn't keep waking up Colin.  I fell asleep off and on for a little bit.  Around 6 I put on my fluid so it was done.

I chilled out most of the morning. I showered and got dressed.  I ran to the store to grab a couple of things.  Then I went home.  I did laundry, took out the trash and spent about an hour cleaning the apartment.  I cleaned everything.  I was on my hands and knees and scrubbed each tile in the entryway, bathroom and kitchen by hand with bleach.  I cleaned out the refrigerator and cleaned it with bleach as well.  I was on a cleaning mission.  

After cleaning I had to get ready for therapy.  I had an appointment at 5 so I left the house around 4:15 because traffic is horrible over there that time of day.  Therapy went really well.  I really like my therapist.  After therapy I headed home.  I got my tpn together and got ready for bed.  I went in to lay down around 8:30.  I was asleep by 10 but was up around every 3 hours or so which was really frustrating.  

Hopefully today will be a good day.  I will update later.  Have a good one!

Wednesday January 20

Woke up, got showered and dressed.  Put on a fluid and just chilled out for the day.  After my fluid I ran to Lowes to get a bucket so I could mop the floors.

Got home and chilled out on the couch.  I was feeling pretty exhausted so I just layed around most of the day.  I put on another fluid.  Around 3 I started to get together everything for dinner.

I made chicken parm with angel hair pasta and garlic bread.  It looked and smelled delicious.  After dinner Colin and I went to Michaels.   We are going to start making bracelets to sell for fundraising and we wanted to make a couple of samples to see what we want to do.  Hopefully we can make a bunch of bracelets and send them out to friends and family that can maybe sell them for me.  We will see.  I'm going to play around with them today and see what we like.

Around 8 I put on my tpn and went to bed.  Today is a new day.  Not too sure what it holds.  Have a good one!!   

Tuesday January 19

Woke up at 5 this morning.  Took off my tpn and got ready for my clinic appointment.  We left around 6 and were there by 6:30.

They did my blood work, changed my dressing and gave me a bag of fluids.   We waited a couple of hours for the doctors to make their rounds.   The doctors came aroun 10.  Dr. Cruz told us he had the perfect organ for us yesterday.  Perfect size and everything except it was positive for CMV.  I am a small percentage of the population that has not been exposed to it so they don't want to give me an intestine that has because it puts me at risk.  Kind of crappy knowing I could be in surgery right now but I'm glad they are being super cautious.  He said it will be any day now.

We left the hospital and headed home.  I did some laundry, took out the trash and ran to the redbox to get some movies.  

Colin is eating leftovers for dinner and we are watching Joe Dirt 2 which he is super excited for.  I will let you know how it is.  I'm going to get ready for bed in a little bit.  I'm exhausted.  Have a good night.   Sweet dreams!

Monday January 18

Woke up to freezing cold and a high of 12.  Freezing!!!  Got up and dressed and put on my fluids.  

Hung out for a little bit and watched tv.  After my fluids were done I ran some errands. I went to Big Lots to get an iron, Dollar Tree to get some Tupperware, Giant Eagle to grab a few things and Rite Aid for shampoo.

I got home and put on another fluid because I was feeling dry.  I watched a movie while they were running.  Something on Lifetime.  I got up and started making dinner.  I made something from Pinterest called Porcupines in a skillet.  It was ground beef, onion soup mix, tomatoes, mushrooms, rice and cheese.  Looked good and Colin had seconds so hopefully it tasted good.  

After dinner I got my tpn together and put it on since we had to leave the house this morning at 6 for my clinic appointment.  I put my tpn on around 5:30 and went in to bed to lay down around 6:30.  I watched 26 dresses and chilled out.  Today is another freezing day.  Everyone try to stay warm and have a good day.

Sunday January 17

I slept pretty well last night.  I woke up early, showered and put on a fluid early.  We watched Love it or List it while my fluids were going.  When they were done I went to the grocery store.

I came home and organized my osteomy supplies, cleaned out the cupboards and refrigerator in the kitchen and organized everything.  I took out the trash (3 bags) and walked it to the dumpsters.

I came back and made corn chowder and bbq spare ribs for Colin for dinner.  While I was making it I watched the movie Home.  I've been wanting to see it and it was on Netflix.  It was a cute movie.  Nice and easy to watch with some funny parts.  

Colin came back home around 4 and ate dinner.  Then we put on the Steelers game which we are still watching now.  I'm getting ready to heat up my tea and put on my tpn.  It was a pretty uneventful day.  I'm pretty exhausted today.  I'm not sure if it's the changes in the steroids or what is going on.  I just have to keep an eye on everything to make sure I don't get sick since they have lowered the dosages.  I can talk to them about it on Tuesday when I go in.

Time for me to start getting ready for bed.  Sweet dreams!  Until tomorrow!

Saturday January 16

Feeling accomplished today!!!  I was on the front page of the paper.  I'm back on the transplant list and I am excited to move forward.  

My day was pretty good.  We were getting text messages and phone calls all day about the article.  Colin and I went in the morning and got information on some site-seeing for our company coming next weekend.  We got home and I put on my fluids.  We watched a movie.  It was Bone Tomahawk.  I did not like it at all.  I spent a lot of time closing my eyes.  After that we watched Fantastic Four.  It was pretty good if you like those sorts of movies.  After the movie Colin and I played checkers. 

I wasn't motivated enough to make dinner so I ordered Colin a pizza.  He was watching the New England game so I went in to the bedroom to watch tv.  I ended up falling asleep for about an hour.  It's really rare for me to be able to nap.

I got up and put on my tpn and went to bed.  I slept pretty well.  Today is going to be a lazy day.  I'll update later.  Have a good one!

Saturday January 16 - Newspaper Article

As promised....here's the link for the paper.  Check it out!!  

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2016/01/16/Transplant-patient-Heather-Carlock-of-Lancaster-gets-OK-for-life-saving-surgery-despite-insurance-change/stories/201601160062

Friday January 15

Woke up early again today.  I was up at around 4.  I stayed in bed until around 7.  I took off my tpn, got up and showered around 8.  I got dressed, did my hair and makeup and got ready for the reporter.

The reporter and photographer arrived around 10.  They took a couple of pictures and interviewed me.  I answered all kinds of questions from my medical history to my insurance issues to my current way of life.  He wrote everything down and was very concise. They stayed for about an hour and a half.

Around 2:00, the reporter Steve called to ask a couple more questions.  He told me he had a call in to UPMC and Blue Cross/ Blue Shield.  He said he would call me if he heard anything more.  

In the meantime around 3:30 or so I received a call from a nurse case manager at Blue Cross telling me they were working on getting the Continuity of Care for the actual transplant and that they were hoping to have it resolved today.  She said that she would call me as soon as she had an update.

I emailed Steve an update.  About ten minutes later I received a call from the admin office at Blue Cross.  I was told that the transplant was approved as in-network and that everything would be sent over to UPMC approving it.  She asked for my email address and sent me copies of the letters.  She also sent them to Mary.  Once I received the letters, I sent them over to Steve so he could take a look too.

Steve called about twenty minutes later.  He looked over the letters and was extremely happy with the outcome.  He then proceeded to go over the interview and basic information he will be putting in the article.  He said it is being published tomorrow and will be on the front page of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette!!!!   How awesome is that!!!!   It should be online as well.  If so, I will post the link tomorrow for anyone who wants to check it out. 

Today was a good day.  I was able to get my story out there and my transplant was approved through my new insurance.  

Around 8:30 this evening I received a call from Mary.  She said that they re-activated me on the list so be prepared for a call!!!  So now I'm back on the list again and am actively waiting for my organ!!  It was a good day!  Hopefully tonight will be a good night and I'll get some sleep!  I will be in touch tomorrow.  Sweet dreams!!

Thursday January 14

Woke up extra early today to go to clinic.   Went to clinic.  Had my blood work done, got a bag of fluids while I was there.  The doctors made their rounds around 10.  They said everything looks good on my blood work.  Dr. Cruz looked at my abdomen and did some measurements.  He's happy with how everything looks.  He and Bill decided to change my steroid dosages.  I was taking 30mg in the am and 20 in the afternoon and at night.   They are changing it to 35mg in the am, 20 in the afternoon and 15 at night.   They are hoping this will help with my sleep and that I won't have any nausea or vomiting with the decrease.   It's all a guess and check so if I start to get sick at all I'm going to have to go back to the higher dosages.  I start the new doses tomorrow.

We got home from clinic around 11.  I copied some of my health benefit stuff so I have records and got together what I needed to mail back to them.  I had a couple of other things to mail as well so I ran over to the post office and mailed them out.  

Around 2:30 I received a call from the reporter at the Pittsburgh Gazette.  He asked me a bunch of questions about my insurance and what is going on with my transplant etc.  He is coming to the apartment tomorrow at 10 to interview me and bringing a photographer to take some pictures.  Hopefully this gets the ball rolling with the insurance and they get things approved fairly quickly.  I'm also hoping that it puts the word out there about my transplant and can bring awareness to the importance of organ donation and possibly even turn into some donations.  Fingers crossed!!

After my phone call with him I made some pumpkin baked oatmeal for Colin so he has something for breakfast.  I cleaned the house and got ready to leave for my therapy appointment.

I went to therapy, came home, and now I'm lounging on the couch until it's time to put on my tpn.  I'm hoping to put it on around 8 and actually hopefully get some sleep tonight.  We will see.  Wish me luck for tomorrow.  I will let you know how I make out.   Have a good night!  Sweet dreams!

Wednesday January 13

Woke up and put on a fluid to get my day started.

After my fluid was done I showered and got dressed.  I changed my osteomy bag and let it seal for about a half hour.  

Dr. DiMartini had changed the dosage on one of my prescriptions so I went to the pharmacy and filled it.  I returned the redbox movies and ran in to the grocery store to get Colin some yogurt and fruit.  Colin also wanted something to clean his shoes so I ran in to DSW and got him a little shoe cleaning kit.   I also bought a pair of socks so I could make a cover from them for my picc line.  I had ordered covers on Etsy and given my exact measurements but the covers are short in length and don't cover the dressing.   They aren't snug at all and slide off so they are pretty much pointless.  I was able to make two covers out of a pair of socks for $5.  I wish I would have thought of it sooner.

I went home and made some calls to follow up on my clinic appointment, blood work, dressing changes etc.  In the meantime I received a call from my therapist.   She had been speaking to a friend of hers in regards to my insurance and all the hoops we have been having to jump through in order to make sure my transplant is covered etc.  Her friend gave her the name of a reporter that she thought might be interested in telling my story.   Rebecca asked me if I would be alright with her contacting him and seeing what he has to say.   She said she wouldn't give him my information, she just wanted to feel it out and see what his thoughts were.  I told her that I would be completely fine with her giving him my information and that I would be ok with speaking to him as well.   She said she would call him and get back to me.   About an hour later she called back and said that the reporter spoke to his editor and they would definitely like to do a story on me and the insurance issues.   She told me he will be calling me today to set something up.   Hopefully I can help to get the word out there and we can get this mess resolved in one way or another.   Maybe even help someone else who is going through the same thing that I am.  I'm kind of excited to see where this will go.  I will keep you posted on the progress.

I received a nice surprise today from Kelly and Matt!!   She sent me a gift for 20 blue ray dvd rentals at the Redbox!!   She knows I watch a lot of movies and she wanted to do something nice for me.  I thought it was super sweet of her!!  Thank you Kelly!!!   I love you!!

Around 4:00, I started dinner.  I made unstuffed cabbage rolls.   It looked and smelled good.   Colin said it was a little bland but he added some salt and pepper and was good to go.  

I got a call from Mary's assistant around 4:30 telling me I need to report to 7 west first thing Thursday am.   They got approval for me to at least go to my clinic visits and get my blood work done and dressing changed.  I hooked up my tpn early since we have to be there at 7am and got ready for bed.  I went in and laid down and watched tv.  My mom called and I talked to her for a little bit and then Shawn called so I was on the phone with home for about an hour.  After I talked to Shawn I fell asleep.  I was up about every 2-3 hours.   It was a pretty restless night but I made due.  Hopefully I can accomplish some things today.   We will see.  I will post later.   Have a great day!!

Tuesday January 12

Woke up early and headed to the hospital for my appointment with Dr. DiMartini.   She wanted to meet with me about my medications and talk to me about how my therapy appointments are going.

We woke up to about an inch of snow on the ground.  It snowed all day.   We got a couple of inches.  It is extremely cold.  I hate this weather.  

My clinic appointments are on hold right now until they get my insurance situated.  Hopefully it gets resolved this week.

We got home and I chilled out on the couch and watched a movie.  I stayed cuddled in my heated blanket.  

I made dinner for Colin.  I made something I found on Pinterest called Bang Bang Chicken.  It was breaded chicken with a glaze of hot sauce, brown sugar, garlic and red pepper flakes.  It was sweet and spicy.  I put it on top of a nice salad with romaine, cucumber, egg, tomato, onion, carrot and radishes.  It looked really good and Colin enjoyed it.  I'm trying to cook a little healthier for him.  It's expensive to be healthy!

After dinner we watched Ted 2.   Hilarious!!!!   Colin was laughing so hard the entire movie I thought he was going to fall off the couch!!   It was so funny!  I highly recommend it for a day when you just want to watch something that is stupid funny.

After the movie I made my sleepy time tea, put on my pjs and tpn and went to bed.  I fell asleep pretty early but was up four or five times to go to the bathroom and because my tpn was alarming for one thing or another.  

Today is another cold day.....I will post more later.  Have a good day!!

Monday January 11

Today was a lazy day.   Got up, showered and put my fluids on for the morning.

Happy Anniversary to Mehgan and David Kadushin!!   I can't beleive you have been married for 2 years already!!!   Here's to a lifetime of happiness!!!  I love you!

Decided to get up and accomplish something.... Ran to the grocery store to grab a couple of things.   After the store I went to the rental office and helped them take down the Christmas decorations and the Christmas tree.   I was there for a couple of hours but we got it all done.

Colin and Bobby were talking during the day because VooDoo has some special beer that was being brewed and they were limited on bottles.   Colin picked me up and we ran over to grab it for him.  We got home around 6 and put a movie on.

I got my tpn ready and finished watching the movie.  After the movie I went to bed because I had an appointment this morning.  

Not too much going on for the day.  Today is cold and snowy.  I will post more later.

Sunday January 10

Woke up and got dressed.  Sat on the couch and watched tv for a little bit.   I had slept better but was still feeling a little exhausted.    It was around 8:30 and I decided to go to the store to grab a couple of things.  I was worried because usually Sundays are horrendous at the store but it was early enough that I was in and out in no time at all.

I got home and put the groceries away.   I started organizing the massive amounts of laundry and got that all going.

I put on my fluids and chilled out while they were running.  I watched a Lifetime movie and waited for Colin to get home.

I got dinner ready for him.   I made taco salads.   He ate and we watched a movie.   I got it at the Redbox.   It was pretty funny.   Colin was laughing a lot.   It was called Sleeping with Other People.   It's a comedy.   I'd definitely recommend it.   After the movie I got ready for bed and went in and laid down.   

Today is a new day.  I will post more later.   Have a good one!!

Saturday January 9

I was up early.  I didn't sleep well.  

I got up and showered.  After my shower I noticed my osteomy bag wasn't right.  The wax seal fell off.  I had to change my bag.  I spent time doing that and cuddled back in bed.  I put on my fluids and chilled out for two hours.  I wasn't feeling well so it was a much needed break.  

I got motivated around 11.  It was a nice day so Colin and I went to the Strip District to get some produce.  We walked around for a little bit and then came home so he could eat lunch.  He ate and then we decided to go to the mall to walk around for something to do.  I got my eyebrows waxed while we were there.   They were out of control.

We didn't buy anything, just browsed all the sales etc.  we got home around 5.   We put on a movie and I actually fell asleep!   It was a nice nap.  I slept about an hour.  I really needed to catch up on my sleep.  We watched more tv and I started to get ready for bed around 8.  I drank my tea, put on my tpn and went in to bed to lay down.  I slept better last night.  I was only up four or five times.  I feel a little better this morning.   We will see what today brings!   Have a good day!  I will update later.

Friday January 8

Woke up around 6.  Showered and got ready for the day.  Got in my car and headed to Altoona to visit my grandparents and Honey.  

I left around 6:45.  Stopped and got gas before I hit the road.  It was an easy drive.  Hardly any traffic.  I only had to stop once to empty.  I stopped at Grandma and Pap's first.  I stayed for about two hours and hung out. It was nice getting to stay there and just relax a little and not feel rushed to visit because I had other places to go.  I left there and headed to Honey's.  She and Rosemary were excited to see me.  I stayed for about three hours.  We watched Price Is Right and some soap operas.  I helped Honey get her lunch ready and sat with her while she ate.  She sat and played free cell on the computer for a little bit.  I got ready to leave around 2:00 and headed to the highway.  Before I headed back, I ran in to Boscovs to see if I could find any cheap collared shirts for Colin.  We've been looking around but haven't been successful at all.  I didn't find anything so I left.

I was on the road by 2:30.  I stopped a couple of times on my way home to empty.  The trip was pretty easy but it started raining about halfway into my trip.  I was glad to be home.  I put on my pajamas right away and chilled out for the evening.  It was a long day but I was glad I was able to make the trip.  I put on my tpn around 8 and went to bed. 

I had a horrible night last night.  I barely got 3 hours of sleep.  Hopefully I will get some sleep tonight.  I will post more later.  Have a good day!

Thursday January 7

Woke up early, got ready for the day and put on my fluids and antibiotics.  Today is the last day for the antibiotics.

Today is my Dad's birthday!!!   Happy Birthday to the most supporting, loving Dad in the world.  I miss you so much when I'm in Pittsburgh.   Sorry I'm missing your birthday.  I hope you have a great day!!!

I had a pretty lazy morning.  I watched tv and lounged around.  Colin called around 2 to see if I wanted to run some errands with him so I met him at the car.  We ran around a little bit to a couple of stores.  After we ran around we decided to drive over to see what was on the other side of the river.  We see cars over there a lot but never went exploring.  There are two or three different hiking trails and a large parking lot where some guys were fishing.  We got out of the car and talked to them.  They were fishing for carp.  They were giving us some info on the river and where the different fishing spots are etc.  We stayed for about a half hour and talked to them.  They were pretty cool.  One of them was a little drunk.  He was slurring and hard to understand.  It was a little comical at times.  We left there and headed home.

I was still feeling really funny.  In a fog and all out of sorts.  It's hard to function when you feel like that.  Then add the nausea and stomach cramping to that and it makes it difficult to get through the day.  Add not sleeping to that and the exhaustion and it just makes you delirious.  

We got home and I got out my tpn and started getting it ready.  I had a therapy appointment at 6:15 but I needed to put on my tpn a little early so I injected everything I needed and got it all ready so I could just start it up while I was in my therapy session without interrupting her/my session but still stay on schedule.  

I left for therapy at 5:30.  I had to be there at 6:15 but traffic is always horrific in that area.  It took me the full 45 minutes to get there, park my car and walk to the building.  I had my appointment and was done around 7:15.  I didn't end up getting home until close to 8:45.  Traffic was still just as bad.  It's amazing how sometimes it takes 10 minutes to get to your destination that's only 4 miles away and other times it takes close to an hour to get to the same place.  I feel like there's no rhyme or reason to it either.  It's all just hit or miss.  

I got home, made my tea and went to bed.  I hope you had a good night.  I will post more later.

Wednesday January 6

Woke up early and got myself ready for my appointment at the hospital.   I went to a different facility.  I had to be there at 7.  I was done getting the blood work and dressing change by 8 so I was home by 8:30.  It was an easy morning.

I got home and put on my fluids and antibiotics.  They were done around 11.  I ran to the store and grabbed a couple of things and returned the Redbox movies.  Then I went home and cleaned.  I did a full overhaul.  Laundry, scrubbed bathrooms, vacuumed, dusted etc.  it felt good to clean.  

After that I went to the dollar store.   There were a couple of little things we need that I knew I could get at dollar tree so I ran over there quick and picked up a couple things.  I went back home and started cooking.

I made something called crack chicken for dinner.  It was pulled chicken with cream cheese and ranch dressing that goes on a sandwich roll.  I made mac and cheese to go with it.   I also made chicken and dumplings from scratch for tomorrow for dinner.  I'm going to be at my therapy appointment at 6 so I wasn't going to be home to make something and wanted to make sure Colin had something for dinner.   I also made rice pudding.  I'm not sure how it's going to taste because I used the soy milk but it was worth trying.  Colin will have to let me know what he thinks.

I made a mess of the kitchen cooking so I cleaned it again....

Shawn called me around 5 and we talked for about an hour.   Then Chartwell came to deliver all of my tpn and my supplies.  I organized and put everything away.  It's about 6:30.  I'm finally sitting down.  I'm exhausted.  Hopefully I wore myself out enough that I can get some sleep tonight.  I am not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow.  I think it's going to be a little warmer tomorrow so maybe I'll go for a walk or something.   We will see.  I'm going to get my stuff together and get ready for bed.  I hope you have a good night.   Sweet dreams!

Tuesday January 5

Was up early this morning but didn't have my clinic appointment because of all of the insurance issues.  I wasn't feeling well anyway so I was kind of glad I didn't have to sit at the hospital for hours.  

I got up and dressed and put on my fluids and antibiotics.  Colin and I watched Love it or List it for a while.  They were having a marathon and we like to try and guess at the end what they are going to do.  

After my fluids were done I ran to Gabes to see if I could find any cheap tshirts.  I needed some longer ones I can put under my sweaters.  I was able to find a couple for 2.99 so I was pretty happy.  I stopped at the Redbox on the way home and grabbed some movies.  

I got home and was exhausted so I lounged on the couch until Colin got back.  He stopped and grabbed himself food on his way home because I didn't have the energy to make dinner.  

I got a call from Mary, my transplant coordinator giving me instruction on where to go tomorrow for my blood work and dressing change.  I am going to a different hospital that accepts my new insurance.  It's only a temporary thing and hopefully I can go back to my normal schedule next week.  It's a mess with all the insurance changes.  I really hope they get it resolved and it all works out.  It's extremely frustrating to be at the mercy of the insurance companies when this is a matter of life or death in the end.  

After I spoke to Mary, we put in a movie.  We watched A Walk In The Woods.  It was pretty good.  It had some funny parts and was a light movie.  Nothing intense.  Easy watching.  We also rented The Walk.  I was so exhausted that I started to fall asleep about an hour into it so I went to bed while Colin finished watching it.  I'll try to finish it tomorrow if I have time.  I'm not sure how long I'll be at the new hospital tomorrow.  

I called it an early night tonight.  I fell asleep around 9.  Woke back up at 11 and am now wide awake and it's midnight.  Hopefully I can fall asleep and get a couple of hours.  I'm exhausted.  I can't wait to be done with the antibiotics.  They are really messing with my energy, stomach and sleep.  Ugh!!!   Well...have a good night.  Sweet dreams!  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!

Monday January 4

Woke up this morning to about an inch of snow on the ground.  It made me want to stay in my pjs cuddled on the couch all day in my heated blanket.  

Even though I wanted to be in my pjs I got dressed in my long underwear, jeans and sweater.  I bundled up so I was toasty warm.  I ran to the grocery store to grab a couple of things.  I got home and called the insurance company.  I was on the phone off and on for about two hours.  They took a bunch of information and said they would get back to me on a resolution.  The whole process has been so frustrating.

While I was dealing with the insurance I cleaned the kitchen, took down the last of the Christmas decorations and straightened up the house.  

Finally tonight around 6pm I received a phone call.  They approved my continuance of care!!!   That means that they are making an exception and will cover my care with UPMC and the transplant even though they don't accept the insurance.   It was such a relief and I'm excited to move forward.   They had to cancel my clinic appointment for tomorrow because the insurance wasn't worked out so I'm not sure when I'm going in to get my blood work and the dressing changed.   They are supposed to call me tomorrow and let me know.  

I made dinner for Colin.  It was a chili cheese hot dog casserole.  Different and easy.  Colin seemed to like it. After dinner we chilled out and watched tv.  I got ready for bed around 7:30.  I went in to bed around 8:30.  I am hopefully going to fall asleep soon.  Sweet dreams!!  I will post more tomorrow.  Good night!

Sunday January 3

I got up and put on my fluids and antibiotics since my tpn was going to be on for a while because I put it on so late.  I laid in bed and watched Lifetime movies while it was all running.  I'm still feeling really funny.  I'm in a daze, I'm nauseous and I just feel really run down.  I only have a couple days left of the antibiotics so hopefully when they are done I'll be feeling back to normal.

When my iv's were all done, Colin and I ran to Walmart for ice scrapers and salt.  We wanted to get them before the first snow when everyone runs out.  After Walmart we went to the Armory to the gun range for something to do.   There was a really long line so we left.  

We went back home and watched The Wire for a little bit.   Colin took a nap and I messed around on my iPad for a little bit.   It needed updated and I hadn't done anything with it in months so I went through all the apps and updated everything.   I was watching Alaska the Last Frontier.  Colin got up from his nap and went and grabbed himself Chinese food for dinner.  

While he was gone I got ready for bed.   We had a pretty low key night.   We watched more tv.  I think I took a little catnap around 7 and slept til about 7:30.  I got up, made my tea and put on my tpn.  I was tired so I went in to bed around 8 and was asleep by 9.  Today is cold and snowy here in Pittsburgh so I foresee a snow day in.  

Saturday January 2

I had a rough night.  I was up every two hours.  The antibiotics are really messing with my system.  I got up and ready for the day fairly early.  I put on a fluid first thing because I thought maybe it would help. 

While my fluid was running Colin and I watched Ricki and the Flash.  It was ok.  There were some really funny parts.  It was definitely a different movie.  After the movie we went to Lawrenceville so Colin could check out a barbershop.  He made an appointment and we walked around and checked out some of the stores. We found a really cool tea shop and they helped me pick out a tea to help me sleep.  I haven't tried it yet but I'm excited to see if it works.  We also found a beer shop where they sell all kinds of local beers by the bottles and you can mix and match six packs and cases.  It was a pretty cool store.  Next time Amber and Bobby come for a visit we have to check it out.  

We left there after a couple more stores and headed back to the apartment.  I put on another bag of fluids and did my antibiotics.  I fell asleep for about a half hour which is really unusual for me.  I have a really hard time napping but I was so exhausted.  

We got up and motivated around 5.  We were meeting Matt for drinks at Fat Heads.  We got there around 6.  There was an hour wait for a table so we hung out at the bar to wait.  A couple people got up and gave us their seats so we hung out at the bar for the evening.  When we were done we went back to Matt's apartment and dropped him off.  We hung out for a little bit and took the dog for a walk.  We left and got home around 10:30.  It was a late night but it felt good to get out.  

I'm going to be hooked up to my tpn until 11 today, but that's ok.  I hope you have a good day!!  

Friday January 1 Happy New Year

I was up early and got ready for the day.

I cleaned up the kitchen, put the pork and sauerkraut in the crock pot for dinner and started my crock pot mashed potatoes.

I've been feeling a little funny.  I think it's the antibiotics.  I'm in a fog again where I feel like I'm outside of my body.  It's not really the best feeling.  It makes it hard to get motivated and want to do anything.  

We had a pretty uneventful day.  I put on my fluids and antibiotics in the afternoon and caught up on trash tv.   I watched Vanderpump Rules and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

I rented a movie at the red box and ran over and grabbed it.  Then I went to The Burgatory and got a milkshake.  I was craving something sweet.

Colin and I got home and he ate dinner.   We watched Shark Tank for a little bit and then put in a movie.   We rented Heist.   It was ok.   It wasn't the best but it wasn't terrible.   It definitely had an unexpected ending.  

After the movie I got ready for bed.  Pretty uneventful New Year's Day but nice.  

I hope 2016 is a good year for me.  I pray the transplant goes smoothly and I have a speedy recovery.  I am anxious to have the surgery and move forward with my life.   

I wish you all health, happiness and love going into the new year!   Happy New Year!!

Thursday December 31, New Year's Eve!!

Happy New Year's Eve!!  My morning was pretty uneventful.  I went to the liquor store to grab a bottle of wine to take to Jimmy and Sarah's since we were going over for dinner.   I ran to Target and got a prescription filled.  After that I ran to the grocery store to get a pork roast and sauerkraut.   The grocery store was a madhouse!!!   It took over 30 minutes in the self checkout line.   They only had two registers open that had cashiers and the lines for them were all the way down the aisles.  They didn't think things through too well.

I got home from the store, unloaded the groceries and put on my fluids and iv antibiotics.   While they were running I did laundry.

I watched tv for a little bit and then around 6 started to get ready for dinner.   I got my tpn out and ready around 7 and hooked myself up.  We left to head over to Jimmy and Sarah's around 7:45.  

We had a nice relaxing evening.  The kids were playing games.  The adults hung out and talked.  They have the most adorable kids.   Violet is two.  She runs around and plays with the boys like she's six!   She talks a lot!!  She's a beautiful little girl.   Cole is all boy!  He likes to play his video games and he likes wrestling.  He had a friend over that was keeping him occupied.  

We stayed to watch the ball drop and then left around 1am to head home.  We got home and went to bed.  I hope everyone was safe last night!!  Have a good day today!!