Remembering

Remembering one year ago this week the events that brought me to this day. Last year on September 22, 2008, I was admitted to Kaiser Heart Transplant Center to wait (what the doctors said 60 days for a new heart). On that same day, a beautiful child passed onto heaven and is my angel, Jazmin.

Three days later, I was rushed to Stanford Medical Center for a second chance at life. I arrived at midnight September 25, 2008, to wait 19 hours for the right time to begin the heart transplant. At 6:30PM on September 26th, I was taken into the operating room for a heart transplant. The months of testing, doctor appointments, happy and sad times all came together that night. A new heart!

This year has been a year full of moments. Sometimes happy and sometimes sad. Happy times were those such as my speedy and healthy recovery after the heart transplant, my new friends I have met, Kevin, Tippi, John, Matt, Ken and all the other heart transplant recipients, my wonderful doctors, Dr. Costelo, Dr. Warren, Dr. Weisshaar, Dr. Orer, Dr. Toby, Dr. Schrier, Dr. Aeria and of course the nurses at heart transplant center, Sue and Charlene and those who cared for me during the heart transplant and stem cell transplant. Happy moment was the day Erin told me I was going to be a grandma. I told the Stanford doctors, when they were considering accepting me for a heart transplant, that all I wanted was to be a grandma and to give me enough time to be a grandma. Another happy moment was the day I met Evelyn, Jazmin's Mom. When she got out of her car, all I could think of was to give her a big hug and hold on to her. Today, we still give eachother a big hug and I say to her, "my heart to yours, I love you".

She is a very loving and caring person and I am lucky to have her in my life. As for sad moments, I have to say there are few but the only one that I think about most is "why isn't there a cure for my disease and when will I be in partial or complete response".

There are many others out there suffering more than I have this past year. I think about my Aunt Mary Joan. Stage 4 breast cancer and how strong she is. She says I'm an inspiration and that I am so brave. She is the one who is brave! She told me she wants "quality of life" and not necessarily "quantity of life". I agree. We have to live each day as though it could be our last. Make those moments count!!!

Mom and I spent Tuesday with Evelyn. We went to lunch and talked, laughed and enjoyed the moment. It meant so much to me to be with Evelyn that day. Mom and I took flowers to the girls grave and said our prayers. I told Jazmin that it will be soon that her beautiful headstone will be placed in honor of her dream. Ashanti's birthday was a few days before, so Mom and I got to go shopping for her and Angelina. Ashanti called me to say thank you and to hear her sweet voice was so special. That day I felt happy inside and a sense of peace. Again, a moment I will never forget.

Now to why I haven't posted in a week. My computer died and I had to call Dell for a tech to come out. All is fixed now. Yesterday, didn't go as planned. I started out doing my normal morning routine which has included walking Mia for 45 minutes. We started on our walk and 5 minutes into it, I fell and twisted my left ankle. I had to call Jane, my neighbor to come and get us because I could not walk. Mom came and brought me to Kaiser for X rays and to see the doctor. No broken bones but badly sprained. He gave me a boot to wear to stabilize the ankle because of my trip to Los Angeles this weekend. Just what I needed, when I was beginning to get on track with my exercise and feeling stronger. Now this puts me back a few weeks. Oh well, could have been worse like a broken ankle or leg.

Tomorrow I fly to Los Angeles for the Long Beach Cancer Walk. I have done this walk several years, but of course I won't be walking this year. I plan to volunteer to help with registration or anything else they might need. I will be donating $500.00 to breast cancer from the Jazmin I. Mitchell Memorial Fund. I want to state that the two hurtful postings made by someone who didn't identify themselves WAS NOT Evelyn. I know who it was and I feel sorry for that person. Evelyn has and continues to be supportive of the way I have handled the fundraiser. I never did anything without her approval or wishes. Everyone knew that if there was any money left after the cost of the headstone, it would be given to a charity from Jazmin's Memorial fund in her name (NOT MINE). Thank you to my family and friends who donated to the Jazmin I. Mitchell Memorial Fund. Not only did it support Jazmin's dream of a beautiful headstone but also those suffering from breast cancer. I know in my heart Jazmin would have done the same.

Now for the fun times ahead. I fly to Los Angeles Friday and get to stay at the Montage Beverly Hills. Mr. Kaseki upgraded us to suites and will be hosting a special dinner Friday night. I am most thankful to Gary and Debbie for their love and support during this year. Taking me to Los Angeles to celebrate my one year anniversary for the heart transplant, and staying in this beautiful hotel will be a moment to cherish. Saturday will be one year and we are going to celebrate at The Grill on the Alley in Beverly Hills. It's one of my favorite restaurants and Matthew will be joining us for dinner. You could say that it's my 2nd birthday. I now have 3. My first birthday November 22nd the day I was born; second birthday September 26th heart transplant and the third birthday, May 29th stem cell transplant. I have always loved celebrating my birthday so believe me I going to celebrate each one!

I'm feeling good except for the ankle. I will begin the new treatment plan next week. Also, on September 29th and 30th, I will be at Santa Clara Heart Transplant undergoing many tests on my shared heart. This is my annual checkup and yesterday I did all the blood work and x rays for this checkup. Mom and I will be staying in San Jose for the two days enjoying our stay at a beautiful hotel.

Now more than ever, my hope for everyone is to enjoy those special moments in time. I have many more moments in my life to enjoy.

Love,

Debbie