Extreme Gratitude

It's almost the three month mark to the day I underwent surgery for the kidney transplant. I definitely feel stronger and I'm sleeping much better again. In the evenings after dinner, Kevin and I go for walks along the beautiful, scenic country roads of our neighborhood. It's amazing how much more one takes in and sees during a walk than when driving the same route!

Each time we go out for these strolls, we try to go a little further. The exercise does us both good, and, for me, it's a great feeling to know each time we go a longer distance, I have reached another mini-milestone. My goal is to keep walking more and more until I'm ready to go hiking, and, eventually, backpacking again. I can't wait to get out on the wilderness trails again and hike for as long and far as we want to go.

Last Thursday, I went for my third and final follow-up appointment with the staff at Johns Hopkins Hospital. It felt bittersweet to know that I probably will not again see the medical staff that helped me through to the point I am at today, but at the same time, it's fantastic to know I don't have to! I had a wonderful check-up, learning that, once again, my labs were all normal, my creatinine level perfect, and my doctor told me that I simply couldn't be doing any better than I am doing. To hear those very positive things made for a great way to wrap things up! My daughter's donated kidney is doing a stellar job for me, as it has from the beginning.

To think that it was a little less than three months ago that the surgery took place, to remember the scary nature of it all, and the grueling week stay in the hospital with IVs and heavy doses of anti-rejection medications...putting it all in perspective...I realize I've come a long way in a short amount of time. I feel extreme gratitude for so many reasons and for so many people.

An Inspiration

Today, Kevin and I volunteered with a Treasured Heirloom Event, held at our downtown arts center. This event offered an opportunity for people to bring in their antiques and collectibles and have them appraised. We each were assigned to assist different appraisers, Kevin in the front of the room with a clock and watch specialist and me in the back with a generalist who was a catch-all for items that didn't seem to fit any of the other specialty categories.

Sometimes, I think fate brings people together. Immediately, I was struck by the kind spirit and upbeat manner of the appraiser I was to assist. She was so friendly and very easy to talk with. She also had instant rapport with each person who brought his or her treasure to our table, making a personal connection with each one. She exuded happiness and was a joy to be around.

During the three hour stretch we were together, I learned that this woman was a breast cancer survivor. She recently found that her cancer had returned and spread to her bones and she's currently undergoing chemotherapy. If she hadn't told me, I never would have guessed she suffered from any ailment at all. She looked vibrant and was so full of life. There was no hint of sadness or pain in her demeanor, nor a trace of any negativity at all. She was fully in the moment and thoroughly enjoying every bit of each consultation.

When the event concluded, she thanked me for helping and said, "What a great day!," and I knew she truly felt and meant it. It was an afternoon touched by inspiration for me. What a beautiful person...and a testimony to what a positive outlook and generous, giving spirit can do. I left the event feeling empowered simply by being in the presence of such a courageous and positive woman and I was grateful to have met her!

Yellow Garden Flowers

"Earth laughs in flowers."

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

1803-1882

American essayist and poet

It's Green Again!!!

Greenery outside our door

It's so uplifting just to step outside the door into a sea of shimmery green. Almost all the trees have fresh new leaves. The dogwood tree that stands right next to the cabin is in full bloom, it's snowy white bracts tinged with rose on four edges. The early morning sun brings sparkle to the new forest greenery. There is a hum of activity as birds sing, squirrels and chipmunks scurry, and deer browse the understory.

Yesterday was the dawn of my 52nd year. My birthday was a very pleasant day, and a time for being especially grateful for marking another year. It was also a time to reflect on the people in my life who make my world such a special place. To share my life with such a loving husband brings unending happiness. Kevin is my love, my friend, and a constant source of strength. My beautiful daughter is a joy...my very own angel...and, for so many reasons, I am so proud of her and all she is. Her strength of spirit is an inspiration! I remain connected with my childhood best friend, Debbie, who I have known since I was five years young and she six. Her friendship is such a treasure. Over the years, whether near or far, we've molded each others lives and inspired one another to carry on through the best and worst of times.

Spring brings such a renewal in spirit, with new life abounding all around. It is such a cathartic experience to revel in the lush green world around us, the icy cold, barren days of winter now simply a memory over our shoulders.

Two Month Anniversary

It was two months ago that I underwent a kidney transplant. Much progress has been made since then, but there is still much to go. We were told the first three months of recovery would be the hardest. It has been an uphill climb!

Initially, each day I could see improvement...and it felt so good to be able to do a little more than the day before. At this point, the improvements have leveled off, and some of the transplant medication side effects seem even stronger than they were in the beginning, or at least they're more noticeable. Prednisone has caused significant and uncomfortable swelling in my face and belly, some of the medications cause bloating and stomach upset, and the tremor I experienced from the onset is still present, though it seems to have tapered off a bit. I still feel tired a good bit of the time, too. Slowly, I'm adding more and more activity to my days, but it is frustratingly slow. A small amount of physical exertion can be very fatiguing.

Recovery is a time of starts and stops. It's a process that's both physical and emotional. Sometimes, it's a lonely place, especially when you feel as if others don't understand what you're going through. At times, it's very important to remind yourself how far you've actually come and reignite the faith that you'll continue to make strides, slow as they are. You need to go easy on yourself and be your own best friend. And...even with the stops and starts...it's always best to look at the bigger picture and be grateful for the opportunity given - that miraculous second chance for a healthy, full life.

Brookside Gardens at Eastertime

We were so fortunate that Desirae had the opportunity to be with us over the Easter weekend!

We packed lots of fun and traditional activities into the time we had to share. We colored Easter eggs, baked and frosted Easter cupcakes, and, on Easter Sunday, paid a visit to the Grotto of Lourdes. We also went to a cat show, which was very entertaining! I fell in love with the Maine Coon Cats - so large with such striking markings and lush, thick fur coats. We saw all sorts of breeds that were new to us. One type had a curly coat making it resemble a teddy bear :)

On Easter Monday, we drove down to Wheaton, Maryland and visited Brookside Gardens. When Desirae was a young child, we lived in an apartment complex that bordered Wheaton Regional Park, and we walked through the park to the gardens many a time. So, it was like visiting an old friend - a place we both remember fondly.

The day we visited the gardens, robins were hopping about everywhere! Desirae got this shot of one spry bird that slowed down long enough to pose for the camera.

A favorite first stop at the gardens is the large greenhouse conservatory that houses many tropical plants. Here, Desirae poses in front of a puff ball flower tree.

Brookside Gardens is such a beautiful natural sanctuary. It covers 50 acres and includes a wide variety of horticulture displays and formal gardens. Another favorite stop is this lovely Japanese Gazebo overlooking a pond filled with colorful koi and aquatic turtles. There were all sorts of turtles swimming about and sunning on the pond banks.

Walking trails wind through the gardens, linking points of interest and offering a peaceful retreat for the enjoyment of the natural beauty all around.

The bright flowers and flowering trees and shrubs of the gardens attract many butterflies. In the photograph above, a Mourning Cloak butterfly gently alights among the blossoms of a flowering cherry tree.

Deer Jamboree

There is a herd of at least a dozen whitetail deer whose home range is the wooded land around our cabin. We see them out and about every day. In the morning, they mill around the woods grazing on whatever greenery they can find in the forest understory. At dusk, they come to sip water from our little pond. At night, they bed down in the leaves, often within eye shot of the cabin.

This afternoon, as I sat down at the table for a bite of lunch, out of the corner of my eye I caught the funniest thing going on outdoors. As I directed my gaze out the window, I became captivated by the antics of the deer. Single file, the herd traipsed across our driveway and collected in groups of about three. The first of the three left his small unit and raced as fast as he could down the hill into the thicket. When he had quite a lead, the second followed, and then the third. A new trio would emerge and repeat the whole process - one, two, three raced down the hill. This pattern continued until all of the deer had gathered and run downhill, one by one, but, when it was the very last deer's turn, he waited a little bit longer than the others. Then, he careened downward. His white tail bobbing, he leaped higher and dashed swifter than any of the others had before him, literally tearing down the hill. Guess he had to play catch-up! The deer appeared to have a great time with their downhill race, especially the last one who certainly made the very most of his run!

We're looking forward to seeing the newborn fawn later in the year. Undoubtedly, we'll see at least a few of them this summer with all the deer we have living around the cabin now...and undoubtedly we'll continue to be entertained by their antics for days and days to come.