Waiting at Vancouver Airport

It's Saturaday morning and we are waiting here at the Vancouver airport to fly home. Just got off the boat this morning. The cruise was wonderful and I had a great time. Hopefully this weekend I will be able to post pictures. I have so many beautiful pictures. We had beautiful sunny weather the whole time we were gone. They say that is so unusal for Alaska and it usually rains everyday. We had bright sunshine every day. I love those days sailing on the ship when the weather is so beautiful. Thursaday was one of those days. We went to Glacier Bay that day and the glacier was bright blue from the sun beating on it. It is so beutiful. I have pictures. I am doing well and have a wonderful trip, It felt good to be back on a cruise sailing on the ocean. I love to cruise!

Hope you have many moments that take your breath away. I had many this week.
Love,
Debbie

Cruising to Alaska

So excited to be leaving on Friday for my cruise to Alaska. We will fly to Vancouver on Friday to spend the night and board the ship on Saturday. I'm so excited. It's been 2 years since I've been on a ship cruising. I love being out on the ocean, especially on sea days. It is so beautiful. The only thing about this cruise is that it will be very cold. The weather in Alaska has been about 50 degrees. Not very warm. I'm not going for the weather but to see the sights and animals. I also want and need to rest. These past few weeks things have been really crazy. I have had so many tests, xrays and blood draws. Yesterday it was awful. I waited 2 hours to take an xray on my back. Oh the xray took less than 5 minutes. That was crazy.

The ship called my travel agent, Bernice and offered us an upgrade to a cabin one level up. I can't believe how beautiful our suite on the ship is. We have our own private veranda, a sitting area, double sinks in the bathroom, separate shower and tub including a whirlpool tub. I think because it will be cold we will be spending alot of time in our room. I have been getting up at 3 in the morning for the last few nights and I have been looking online at the ship. I know where every thing is and plan to see it all. The ship is so big and I have never been on one that big. Sebourn Legend is only 200 passengers and this ship Holland America is 1800 passengers. This will be different but I'm not complaining. I'm going to love it!!!!

So I will have pictures and lots to tell when I return on the 29th. I'm sure there will be many moments that take my breath away and I plan to enjoy each and every one of them.

Love,
Debbie

Heart Biopsy and Other Tests

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION RED DRESS FUNDRAISER
MATT, MARK AND ROB TAKING JET SKI OUT OF LAKE

MATT AND ME

WHAT A MOMENT!

"MY MATT"

MATT AND CUPPY AKA CHOPPY

ME AND MARION ENJOYING THE MOMENT

MARK PLAYING LADDER BALL

MATT AND CUPPY SUNTANNING

LITTLE MARKIE

IS HE CUTE OR WHAT?

PAPA MARK AND LITTLE MARKIE

My 4 month heart biopsy was yesterday. Monday Mom and I spent the night at the Fairmont in San Jose. Debbie and Gary joined us and we had lunch with our liquor receiver, Rick Cole at the Grill on the Alley. We had a wonderful lunch. That evening we met Ron Ableman, credit manager for Sysco Foodservice for dinner. I haven't seen Ron in a few months and it was so good to see him. We had dinner at Morton's Steakhouse and of course it was a great dinner.

I was so anxious worrying about the heart biopsy the next day. I have been suffering with pain in my joints and right hip. The hip pain has kept me up at night and I haven't sleep very well. That night I took Decadron and it kept me up. At 3:00AM I decided to get up. Mom and I had a beautiful suite and so I went into the living room and watched a movie. I saw "Dear John". What a great movie. I cried from the start to the end. You must see this one! Mom woke up around 5:00Am and we had breakfast in our room before we had to get to Kaiser by 7:00AM. It would be a long day. Heart biopsy at 7:45AM; clinic at 10:00AM; support meeting at noon until 1:30PM and then off to chemo in Santa Rosa by 4:30PM. Wow was I tried last night.

Today I received all my test results. The first and most important was the best news. I FINALLY WENT UNDER 100 FOR MY LAMBHA LIGHT CHAIN COUNT - IT WAS 96.5. I'm so happy to see it below 100, especially that the number of chemo weeks have been decreased from 3 to 2 and Decadron lowered from 40mg to 20mg. The treatment is working. Thank God!

My heart biopsy came in at a 1a/1r heart rejection. I was hoping for another NER (no evidence of rejection) but this is a slight rejection. The doctors are not concerned. They did xrays on the hip and there is nothing wrong. They think it could be the statins I'm on causing joint pain. They asked me to take more pills called Q10 which helps with inflammation. Hopefully it works.

I realize my life is going to be maintaining this body. It is like a job each day. I have to do things to stay healthy and strong. I have alot to live for.

Last Friday I got to be a model for the American Heart Association Red Dress Fundraiser. It was so much fun. I got to pick a beautiful dress out, get my hair and makeup done too. I met so many wonderful women who have had open heart surgery too. No one there who had a heart transplant but we all shared the same feelings. It was a beautiful moment!

My Sharks have made it to the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. We have waited for this for so many years. GO SHARKS!!!!

Hope you like the pictures. Of course there's pictures of Little Markie, the trailer and spending time at the lake, the Red Dress fundraiser and more. Hope you enjoy them.

Update on the headstone for Jazmin and Jamae. I'm happy to share that the headstone was finally installed last Saturday. It is absolutely beautiful. Evelyn went to the cemetery and took a picture with her cell phone. I have to figure out how to get it on my blog or when I get to see it in person I will take a picture and share with everyone. All I can say is thank you for all who donated. Seeing that picture took my breath away! Evelyn told me that Jazmin's dream has been fulfilled. I know she is smiling and her heart is very happy. I can feel the love!

Next week I will leave on my cruise to Alaska. I'm so excited to finally be able to go on vacation. It will be a relaxing trip. I'm excited to see the scenery and be on a ship in the ocean. There is a great feeling being out there at sea. I expect to make moments that take my breath away.

Go out and make moments that take your breath away! That is what life is all about!

love,

Debbie

Little Markie Pictures

Daddy and Markie

Uncle Max and Little Markie
Max says he will be on skates by the time he is 2

Unlce Matthew and Little Markie

Let's See Uncle Matt and Little Markie racing cars!

M
Mommy and Little Markie

What a cute little face!!!!

Nana and Little Markie

I can't tell you how happy holding this little guy in my arms makes me feel. He has brought so much love and happiness to our family. He is truly a blessing!

Enjoy the moments!

love,

Debbie

What's Happening!!

Well where do I begin. I have been busy, doing what I don't know. Each day I feel like I'm doing the same old thing and that drives me crazy! Get up, go to the office, come home, do laundry and cook dinner, watch TV, go to bed and then start all over again the next day. Boring and not the way I want to live life.

This experience has taught me some lessons. Live life as through its your last day. Enjoy each and every moment. I try to enjoy moments each day but how do you enjoy laundry, cooking dinner and cleaning. Well I guess that's life. I try to enjoy my moments on the weekend especially when I get to go to the trailer. This last weekend we went up on Saturday morning early. It was absolutely beautiful there. The weather was about 75 degrees. We went to a birthday party that afternoon for Jerry who turned 50. The best part was Jerry is a musician and he brought together his old band from 30 years old to play together. It was a great moment to watch these 50 year old men play to their hearts content. As I listened I watched their faces and how happy that moment was for them. I have to say it brought tears to my eyes to know that they were enjoying that moment together playing and singing for us. Thanks Jerry for that special moment!!

This weekend I get to watch Little Markie on Saturday night. I only get to see him about once a week. So Saturday will be a moment I will enjoy. Erin is doing great and so is Little Markie. He goes to the doctor for the first time tomorrow and we will see how much he weighs. Mark is guessing about 8 to 8 1/2 pounds. He is sooooo cute but then again I'm his Nana and what else would I say. I look forward to many more days spending time with him making moments to remember.

Update on the headstone. It's getting closer. I received a call yesterday from Beverly at Bras and Mattos Monuments and she said the engraving is being done now. The installation will be within the next few weeks. I'm hoping before Mother's Day. After installation we will hold a small memorial at the grave site with my family and Evelyn's. It will definitely be a moment that takes my breath away! I have dreamed of this day for so long and I can't believe its finally here. I thank all my family and friends for making this moment come true.

I am so excited. I was asked by my onogolist, Dr. Akthar, to participate in a fundraiser for the American Heart Association Red Dress Campaign. It will be held on May 7th. I will get to have my makeup done and a new red dress from Banana Republic. I will be speaking about my story and that makes me feel so good. I have wanted to share my story with the public and have sent many emails to my local newspaper and even Oparh. No one has responded back, so maybe this is a way to get the word out. It's a great cause and I'm happy to help.

Well I need to run. Off to the gym and then to lunch with a client in San Francisco. I'm glad I get to see my clients from time to time.

Have a wonderful weekend and make memories that take your breath away. Sorry I don't have photos of me and Little Markie but I don't have my camera right now. Maybe I can get some this weekend to share.

Love,
Debbie

Mark Aaron Douglas

MARK AARON DOUGLAS

BORN APRIL 6, 2010 AT 9:54AM

7 POUNDS 15 OUNCES

21 INCHES LONG

DADDY AND LITTLE MARKIE

GO SHARKS!!!!

THE NEXT JOE THRONTON IN THE MAKING

Wow what a week it has been! Seeing my grand child for the first time was a moment that took my breath away. I don't think there could or will be another moment like this. I will cherish it forever!

Mom and baby are doing great. Erin is a wonderful Mom and I can already tell that little guy thinks she is "special" and so do we. It's so cute how he looks for her when he hears her voice. It is so amazing to watch. To see the love in her eyes for this little person takes my breath away.

As for my son, seeing him as a father was the proudest moment in my life. I felt so proud to be his Mom and experience this moment with him. He is so happy to have Markie here. He looks forward to those moments he will spend with his son at Home Depot, planting in the garden and of course going to a Sharks game. He will be a wonderful Dad!!!

To hear myself say to Little Markie, "Hi Sweetie, it's Nana" was so awesome. For years I have dreamed of becoming a grandma or to be called "Nana". Finally that moment is here. When I look into his eyes I think about how much my life means now. A year and half ago if it wasn't for my family, friends, doctors, my donor Jazmin and her family I would not have been here to experience this moment. I thank God for the blessings in my life and for my grandson Mark. I know what life is about. It's about living and enjoying each and every moment you have on this earth. So enjoy life! I plan to spend as much time making moments that take my breath away with my family and friends.

Enjoy this moment!!

Love,

Debbie

Just Call Me "Nana"

My little grandson was born this morning at 9:54AM. He weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces and measured 21 inches long. His name is Mark Aaron Douglas. He is absolutely beautiful!!

My wish came true today! A year and half ago, I met with the heart transplant doctors to find out I needed a new heart or I would die in 30 days. Some of you might not have known this fact but I had only 30 days to live. Thank God and thank you to my donor family and Jazmin for saving my life and giving me this moment. Without them I would not be here to celebrate these moments in time.

Tonight I went to the hospital for a quick visit and got to hold Little Markie for the first time. But first the moment that took my breath away was walking into the room and seeing my oldest son, Mark, holding his son in his arms. What a moment! To hold little Markie in my arms made me feel "FREE". I felt like a hundred pounds was lifted off my shoulders. I feel so good inside.

I want to thank my daughter, Erin for the beautiful grandson. She did so good today. She started her contractions about 5 this morning and had little Markie just before 10:00AM. She was amazing! I quickly said to her "you did so well, when is the next one coming". Just kidding!
I want to enjoy Little Markie and make moments with him.

I will have pictures to share as soon as I get my camera back from Mark. I got to the hospital and Mark said he forgot the camera in the car. I said "Here's my camera". So I have to wait and get pictures then. Oh but I heard my sister, Kathy has already posted his picture on her facebook. Thanks sissy for doing that! I know there are so many people (friends and family) that have waited for this moment. Everyone knew how important this was for me! I remember being taken to the operating room the night I had my heart transplant and telling the doctors to just keep me alive long enough to be a "grandma". Thank you to those doctors at Kaiser and Stanford for saving my life!!

This is the most wonderful day of my life and one I will never forget.

Love,
Debbie