Tuesday, April 14, 2015

We are here in Ohio

WOW! My head spins trying to go back since December and fill you in. I apologize for not keeping up on the blog better than I have and hope to do a better job from here on out. I'll just back up to just a few weeks ago and let you in on bit of my new journey I'm on-but not alone!:) I am now residing for some time here in Ohio. I received a phone call March 20 that we needed to be here in Ohio to get the ball rolling to be placed on the transplant list. Since my surgery in November there has been some things that have improved, but some things that haven't. Between my transplant surgeon, transplant nurse, and transplant social worker, they decided this is the next step we need to enter into. With much prayer and consideration of a lot of other things,we have made the tough decision to make the move. I am not on the list at the present time, but will be going on it soon. There's a few things we need to do before going on the list and once that's done, then a handful of doctors and a few test to clear me for the transplant list. That gave me 2 weeks to get some of my house packed up and ready to put on the market to sell. To pack ALL of my medical "stuff". I hope to leave some of that here in Cleveland once I get to come home again. To decide what clothes to take for spring and summer. I am a girl and 5 outfits are not enough for me to make it through a week:) NO more needs to be said on that.:) Getting important documents together. Helping 3 kids pack some clothes and their school things, fix a few meals and throw them in the freezer to have for while we are in Ohio so I didn't have to bring my kitchen with me. By the time I got my "things" all together I realized I had too much! So then, I had to go back thru and condense a few boxes together and decide what I could leave behind for a bit. It was a BUSY 2 weeks that went by too fast! We decided that Shane would bring Kelsey and I on out to Ohio first, so on April 2 we left and made it from Princeton Illinois to Westlake Ohio. Lots of loading up a car and unloading of a car in one day! He headed back to Princeton on the 4th to get the younger two and they came back to Ohio on the 8th. Kelsey and I were able to get the room unpacked and things put away before the rest of the family got back. I enjoyed the time that we had together, but I sure did miss being a complete family. The Marriott TownePlace Suites have a 2 bedroom apartment and we felt that would be our best option. It has a little kitchen with a small stove/oven, fridge, dishwasher.... There is a transplant house, but we have 3 children that will be with us off and on. We are doing some family things together while we have the time and chance too. We have done an art gallery and nature museum. Shane has taken the kids on walks to Lake Erie and a few parks to give me some time to catch some rest. We are enjoying our time that we have together:)We were able to go to church on Sunday morning then came back to the room that afternoon to rest. The kids are troopers, and are handling it well. We keep reminding each other in rough moments that this is only temporary. Since we have been here I have been fighting a little bit of sinus issues and doing better but it seems like my energy level has been zapped. Also with adjusting to the time change-Ohio is an hour ahead of us. Yes, I know it's an hour but it makes a difference.:) I have people asking what they can do to help. I have a page on the National Foundation for Transplants set up. I do have a link for it on the right side bar that you can go to if you would like to make a donation. I have had many people already donate which we are very thankful for. Any amount is greatly appreciated- especially when you consider all the cost involved. I realize not everyone is in the position of being able to donate financially, but please keep our family in your prayers. Also please pass this along to your family and friends. I was touched because my very first donation on my page was someone who doesn't even know myself or my family. My page was shared with them from one of my family members and they made the donation. I am so thankful that I am not walking this alone, but He is with me every step I take. So glad that He is always here and will not leave or forsake me. I am so grateful for everything He has done and is doing in my life. I can't do this without Him!! If it wasn't for Him, I would not be here. HE's so faithful!! He has seen me through each storm I have faced! He's my strength,my peace,my joy,my rock,my healer,my hope. I have such a peace from Him- what benefits He blesses me with a His child. So thankful for His precious Word that I can not just read, but memorize and put in my heart. I am so thankful for all of you who have held my family and I up in prayer. Thank you so much for all the love and support you give to me through prayers, meals, cards, phone calls, emails, and blessing us with your giving!!! I'll try to do my best to update the blog as this move along. :) With love and thanks- Jamie