I'm back. It's been a while, I know. Almost one month since I've written. Work is getting very stressful with all the H1N1 floating around. For a heart patient, working in a clinic is probably not the best thing, with all the germs, but with this Swine Flu thing - it's downright crazy. I have been told by my cardiologist to avoid working with patients that have suspected Swine Flu. That's hard when EVERYONE thinks they have it. I am home from work today, not because of the Swine Flu, but a stomach bug. I tried to go to work, but it didn't last long.

I hope everything has gone well for you all. Other than being ill, I have been enjoying the fall weather, helping plant some flower bulbs. I have to plant mine yet, but it might be a few days yet. Gotta get feeling better!

The dogs are liking it that I am home. They get to sleep on the couch and not in their kennels. They keep me company, along with the cats. As I write this, Molly is sleeping on my chest. She loves to cuddle when I am not able to.

Adventures with CPAP

Vegas. Was. Awesome. That's the only way to describe it. It was absolutely fabulous. Great food, great fun, great entertainment. We saw The Lion King which was amazing. The costumes were mind-blowing and graceful and imaginative. It was indescribable.

We didn't become millionaires like I'd hoped, but the experience was priceless. We are planning another trip for next year.

In the heart world, my health seems to be good. I have started using my CPAP every night. Now that I have a new mask, things are going well. I was not compliant with my old mask. Now that I have proved to myself that it was the mask that was the problem, here is my reasoning for not wearing it. It had nasal pillows - therefore it was not a full face mask. This caused my little nostrils to get sore and breakdown - not good to have skin breakdown when you're a cardiac patient. Plus, this was pretty painful. Now that I have my new mask, all is going well. I am sleeping better and longer. I still feel as fatigued as I did before the mask, but I can definetly tell that I am sleeping more at night. I used to wake up 3-4 times a night. I wake up once now. I am hoping this is helping my heart. Anything to help it along. Plus, my cardiologist informed me that there is now a direct correlation between using CPAP and maintaining the Fontan. So, that plus feeling better is really motivating me. High Five for me!

Short and Sweet

I am off to Vegas tomorrow for the first time EVER! Very, very excited and can't sleep yet, so just have to keep myself busy until I drop over from exhaustion. Plus, I can sleep on the plane tomorrow.

Anywho, probably no posts until I get back.

Everyone be safe and be happy!

Until we meet again...

Nothin' Much Doin'

First, let me start by saying "Thank You!" to all my online friends who wished me a happy birthday. It means a lot to me! Also, to my family and friends who helped me celebrate - THANK YOU for all you do for me, no matter if it's my birthday or not. I love you all very much and couldn't ask for a better support system.

Happy Birthday Steve - we share the same birthday and the same heart condition and we have proven we're survivors! Here's to another great year!

Here are some pictures that I have taken of my landscaping (I teased about these a while ago) and then some pictures I took of myself today while goofing around. I figured I could post a picture of me so you could all put a face to the words.

My front walk way bordered with brick and Hosta

Side garden bordered with brick

Me being silly x 3

Well, it's taken me almost an hour to do this post (due to all the uploading of the photos). Plus, my computer is very slow today. So, I will say goodnight and everyone be safe and have a wonderful day tomorrow!

27

Happy Birthday Heart! We're officially 27 years old today. It's been quite a journey, hasn't it? We have done pretty well on our own, I'd have to say. You've had the more difficult job these 27 years, to be honest. You have kept me going all these years, despite the fact that you were never whole. You are a survivor and a savior and to have you along for this ride we call life is a wonderful gift. Yes, I have been angry at you. I have blamed you. I have hated you. I also have not understood how important you are to me. I have taken you for granted. I have failed you in certain ways. I certainly don't make your job easy. But, like a true friend, you have never given up on me. You probably didn't want to be born this way either. You have had to work extra hard to do the job that I have taken for granted. I never thought of you as a friend, only as a burden. But, although I feel we are two seperate beings, you and I are part of a team. We need each other to survive. You need me to take care of you and make your job easier, I need you to continue to be strong for me. If I ever feel sorry for myself, or need some inspiration, I can look to you. For you have never given up, no matter what the obstacle. I may not have always been the best friend you needed, but I am here now and ready to face another 27 years with you. Thank you for being patient with me until I figured it all out.

Runnin' on Empty

I said in the beginning that I would try to blog once a day. That has not held true. But, have about 15 minutes before I have to leave for an appointment and this will be the only time to blog today...and possibly tomorrow. And maybe the weekend. See, already too busy!

I am EXHAUSTED. I think any "normal" person would be too. I often wonder, am I this tired because I do too much or because of the heart condition? One may never know. I certainly don't know any different and I can't put myself in any other person's shoes because...well, it's impossible, really. So, as I embark on another busy afternoon/evening and get up early for work tomorrow (will this week never end?) I realize that I could wallow in self pity/exhaustion all night. I could make it an excuse. Or, I could get ready, go out, and be thankful that I have the energy to have fun. Thankful to my heart for continuing to beat.

In the Air

I saw my first leaf fall today. I pulled into my local Starbucks for my special wake up call (Skinny Decaf Caramel Latte), and parked under the only tree. When I walked out (without my special drink because the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back!!), I saw one of the tree leaves break away and fall to the ground below. It was brown and fragile and graceful. It is a reminder that things change, fall is around the corner. Summer is ending, school is starting, the weather is getting cooler. I love fall. If it was fall weather all year long, I would be a continually happy girl! The weather is perfect, in my eyes, the cool weather comforting to me. For some reason, fall creates a peacefulness in me that I cannot achieve in any other season. Pumpkins, apple cider, fires in the fireplace, crunchy leaves, curling up in blankets on the couch, football. Soon - Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping, drinking hot chocolate at the mall. So many good things to look forward to.