Just Another Day

Man, this whole “job thing” is really getting in the way of my blogging! Sorry for the slow-going these days. The below will give you a peek into the ridiculous life I continue to lead…never a dull moment!

A Day In The Life Of This Heart Transplantee

It’s an ice-cold Monday morning, I’m ready to start my day.
I’ve some unique errands to run, then I’ll be on my way.

On my feet there are boots, on my head a warm hat
In my hands three vials of poop and some pee in a vat.

Slipping on the snow and ice on my way to the lab
With my dignity in check – should’ve taken a cab.

For 24 hours I collected excretions of various styles
In a bright orange biohazard jug and three miniature vials.

Remember those old tiny film canisters?
They’d be fine to collect stool from hamsters.

But I’m slightly bigger than those wee animals
So it was a bit like fitting a square peg in a round hole.

Imagine collecting stool in three of these, okay?
It’s definitely not an ideal way to spend the day!

Needless to say I didn’t leave the house,
Didn’t have guests either…not even a mouse.

I have special instructions for two of the four –
These spend the night in the cold, outside my door.

For once I’m glad for the cold weather instead of summer.
Cuz putting the goods in the fridge would be a big bummer.

So off to work I go with my poop and my pee,
Just another day in the life of this heart transplantee.

YES, the canisters came with their own sporks built in!

This Friday Is National Wear Red Day!

This Friday (2/4/11) is not only the day that I fly south in search of warmer weather (and people who want to buy what I sell) – it’s also National Wear Red Day! This special day takes place on the first Friday of February each year to raise awareness of heart disease being the #1 killer of women and to raise funds to further the fight against heart disease.

I’ll be rocking my red and screaming my story (as usual!) and ask that you join me. Would you commit to telling at least two people some simple facts on Friday? Spreading information is the first step in fighting heart disease! For the record, I already have one friend that essentially converted her office into a heart disease awareness center (you da man, Dawn!) and another (to remain anonymous) who has promised to wear red undies – can you top these guys?! I would LOVE to see some fun/crazy “I wore red and_________________” stories in the comments! (For those technically-impaired, e-mail me and I will post the goods myself!)

FAST FACTS

• Heart disease is the #1 killer of women.
• More women die from cardiovascular disease than from the next four causes of death combined – including all forms of cancer.
• A woman dies from cardiovascular disease every minute.
• Only 1 in 5 women believes heart disease is her greatest health threat.

KNOW THE SYMPTOMS

Since my end-stage heart failure was originally misdiagnosed, spreading awareness of symptoms is particularly important to me so that people can advocate for themselves in the future. My story could have been very different if I had recognized my symptoms.

Heart Failure

• Shortness of breath, especially while lying flat
• Swelling due to fluid retention (often in the legs and other limbs, mine first showed up in my abdomen)
• Increased heart rate
• Tiredness, fatigue; persistent coughing or wheezing; lack of appetite, nausea

Heart Attack

• Chest discomfort (pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain)
• Upper body discomfort (one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, stomach)
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat, nausea; lightheadedness

I am so grateful for all of the support thus far in joining the fight against heart disease and driving awareness of organ donation. I hope you will join me in wearing red on Friday! For more information, go to www.goredforwomen.org.

GO RED!