Merry Christmas!

I hope that everyone had a very good Christmas today! I know that I did! I got to spend the morning with my boys, baked a pumpkin pie and a lemon poppyseed loaf. We then packed up and headed down to Toronto to be with Andrea, Shaun, my parents, my sister and Andrea's mom and dad.

How is Andrea?

Well to start, she was moved out of the ICU and into step down! This happened yesterday later on in the afternoon. Hard to believe that less than 72 hours after receiving a new heart, she was already being moved out of the ICU eh?

She is without any IVs and the line that was in her neck is also gone!

She is still having issues with her right arm/hand and her legs being "tingly". Neurology did see her two days ago and she was sent down yesterday afternoon to have an MRI done. No word yet on if they saw anything or any idea on what exactly is going on with her. Again, we just hope that it is either to do with the medications she was on, the way she way laying for so long or even just a pinched nerve.

She is also very very tired, but I am sure that anyone would be given what she just went through! Pain is also an issue, but again, who the heck wouldn't be in pain after what she just went through?! She said to me tonight after I told her she looked good that "the doctors keep telling me I am doing well, but I don't feel very well." BUT being only 96 hours out, again, expected.

I did some work on the keepsake book that I wanted to give to her today and although I didn't "finish" it, I did take it with us today to give to her. I felt that today being Christmas was a good time to do so :) I had taken it in with me initially when I first got there and went in to see her, but every time I even thought of giving it to her, I would feel the tears coming. So I ended up walking out of her room with it still in my arms. However, after we all ate dinner and she was on her way out I gave it to her then. And I am proud to say that I did very well! Yep, Ms Emotional didn't break down! And by the way, you can still send a message for Andrea as this will be a work in progress for a while, I am sure!

I felt really special tonight because I got a text from Andrea telling me that it was her second text since her new heart and that I got her crying. Its kind of a joke between us, because she is always making fun of me and how emotional I am. My tears always fall easy! I felt so special because I was also her FIRST text :)

Here are some pictures from our MOST AMAZING Christmas!!! It still doesn't feel real at times that Andrea has her brand new heart! I found myself sitting there a couple times tonight just looking at her and thinking just how freaking incredible it is that the heart in her chest beating came from someone, somewhere that we do not know. I know I have already said this, but MAN, I can't even tell you how amazing it is!!!!

"Just follow your heart and you'll never get lost"

Funny how some things turn out too. I had bought the above plaque for Andrea about six weeks ago. Perfect? I say so. 

I know that this Christmas is probably a horrible time for the family and friends of the donor who gave the gift of life to Andrea. I can't even imagine the sorrow that they are feeling and then being so close to a holiday....I am sure it is just THAT much worse. I often wonder if they are curious about the heart and where it went. If they know just how much it means to us. If they realize that they have done the most amazing, incredible thing that could EVER be done. So many questions. I hope that they have some peace and comfort in knowing that other people have been given a second chance. My thoughts and prayers are with the donor family every day now, and especially tonight.

xxxooo

T-SHIRTS

In leiu of my recent experiences, I have been busy exercising my creative side and designing t-shirts. The website is:

www.organsbydesign.wordans.com

You can check out the t-shirts I have created or you can use my designs to create something a little different to suit your needs. There are several shirts to choose from and other standard designs you can use on your shirts as well.

I am just an email away if there is something specific you are looking for. I am adding products regularly. If you don't find something, check back a little later to see if there is something new that you like.

We need to make known the importance of organ donation. Many lives are affected and most of the population just doesn't understand until they are in the situation. Please check out my products and support the cause. I have been waiting for 255 days for my heart, we need all the help we can get.

Thank you so much.

200 Days!

Today marks day 200 that Andrea has been on the list waiting for her heart transplant. Please, if you have not filled out your donor information DO THIS. You can save so many lives. All you have to do is click HERE, print the form, fill it out and mail it. Remember, signing your card in your wallet is NOT enough. Most importantly make sure that you talk to your family about your wishes to be an organ donor if you were to pass away.

Every single day we hope that Andrea will get THE call for her perfect heart. She continues to amaze me with her attitude and love of life. If everyone had a little piece of what she has this world would be a much better place!

This week is National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week (NOTDAW). There are events going on around the province. The intention for this week to get the message out and encourage people to sign up for their consent to donate.

I volunteered today with Trillium Gift of Life at St. Mary's hospital in Kitchener. We had a booth set up with forms to fill out with postage paid. If someone didn't want to sign up right there we gave them a package with the form and information about organ and tissue donation. It's a great thing to do and I learn so much by getting involved.

Something of interest... You are more likely to need an organ than you are to donate an organ.

Unfortunately, there are families out there that will certainly take an organ to live but will not sign their consent or choose to donate a family member's organs. It's a shame. These people are incredibly selfish. There are countries that take into account if a person is an organ donor when they need an organ. In other words, when the list is created for those waiting for an organ, the people that are organ donors go higher on the list than those that are not organ donors. I think this is great! I think the list should also consider those who have chosen to destroy their organs when there is information to inform them of the risk. But that's a whole other conversation.

I would like to list a few things I learned today. I hope there is at least one person out there that will read this and understand the honour in being an organ donor.

No one would want my organs. Well. What I've learned, there are only three definitive illnesses that can guarantee you cannot donate. These are cancer, HIV and hepatitis. I'm not sure what types of these illness are considered, but why not sign the consent and let the professionals decide?

I'm too old to donate. The oldest donor we know of was 90 years old. You read that right. She was able to donate her liver and it was a successful transplant. Enough said.

I have put my wishes in my will. If you aren't actually deceased yet, no one will read your will. This is a good start but unfortunately, it is not enough. If you register your consent with OHIP your wishes will be available to Trillium and they will share it with your family as soon as the time is right. No fuss.

Whatever your concern is, please educate yourself. There are many misconceptions out there that are simply not true. Make the decision that can directly save lives.

Give The Gift Of Life

Did you know that ONE tissue and organ donor can save up to 8 lives and enhance 75 others?

BECOME A DONOR!!!! Please take the time and become an organ donor HERE!! Help save lives. Make sure your wishes are known to your family as well.

Spread the word.

Today I was part of a promotional event put on by Trillium Gift of Life at Wilfred Laurier University. They made organ donation forms accessible to those who wished to sign-up to be an organ donor. We also gave away t-shirts and little heart stress balls. I love these balls! There was also a man size board game of operation. The best score won an ipod touch! CTV visited the promotion at the University of Guelph on Wednesday and you can see that segment HERE.

I learned a lot about other peoples perspectives of organ and tissue donation. Some people are very sensitive to the subject. I can certainly understand that. It is very different for me since I am asking for an organ. It has always just been a choice of mine to donate all I can for the good of others. That comforts me today since the situation has changed. I would like to discuss a few of the misconceptions of organ and tissue donation. Please visit recycleme.org to answers any more of your questions and inform yourself. Canada has one of the lowest organ donation rates in the world! We need to make a change. Each individual only has a 2% chance of donating anyway. We need to spread the word to save lives. It is something you can do to make a lasting impact and give your death purpose.

Concern:
My family would like to have an open casket when I pass, what will I look like if I donate my organs and tissue?
- You're body will be treated with the utmost respect. There will be no visible sign of organ donation, even if you donate eyes. They merely make use of the cornea, which can be considered a layer of onion skin on the eye.

Concern:
I have filled out my organ donor card and it's on my driver's license, is this sufficient?
- Unfortunately, this is not enough. Often times a person's wallet is not with them in the hospital. You must register your consent with your health card. Hospitals have access to this and can respond in an appropriate manner. This form can be found here.

Concern:
Will I recieve a new health card? I like having the old one, will I have to get a new one?
- If you have an old health card (red and white) you will recieve a sticker in the mail to apply to your card, and your consent will be registered. If you already have a new one, you will recieve another new card that will say DONOR on the back.

Concern:
Are there any age restrictions? What if I'm already sick?
- The only age restriction is that a person needs to be 16 years of age to sign consent. Young and old donors are needed since there are young and old people waiting. If you have an existing illness your organs may still be viable. It is best to sign your consent and let the professionals decide on their condition.

Concern:
I'm not comfortable donating my organs and tissue for medical research.
- You must understand that your body will not be used as you see on TV. It is as if your organs are donated, just for a different purpose. Your body will be released exactly the same. Only the organs and tissue will be used for research. From a different perspective, these organs are used to develop medications and cures to many diseases. You can be a part of that and let your legacy live on.

Thank you for taking the time to consider your organ and tissue donation consent. Please be sure to discuss your wishes with your family and friends. Feel free to ask any questions and I will use my resources to find the answer. You are probably not the only one with that question.