Better Things

Better Things Are Coming.
I'm not sure what it is about Sundays, but I tend to get a bit reflective on Sunday afternoons.  Perhaps it's the preparation for the week ahead.  Perhaps it's the goal-setting and planning.  Perhaps it's the rare moment to sit back, relax, and unwind after a busy week and weekend.  Regardless, it seems like this time - these evening hours on Sundays - are when I find my mind wandering.

I've always been a bit of a Pollyanna, but I have to admit that my outlook in the last few weeks has been more positive than it has been in a long, long time.  I try to stay positive most of the time, but this transplant business has really lit a fire under my tail.  I gotta be honest.  

I come from a long line of strong women, from "firm up, Mable," "put on your big girl panties," and "keep your chin up."  So I guess that tenacity, combined with my natural optimism, makes for a pretty strong "anything can happen" attitude.  So naturally, these last few weeks, between making my to-do lists, counting my Weight Watchers points, work, and scheduling all of these appointments, I've allowed myself the luxury of a little bit of daydreaming.

See, I don't want to complain.  I'm beyond grateful that dialysis is an option for me.  I'm incredibly grateful to be alive.  After all, let's not forget that my original diagnosis in 2011 came with a 3-6 month prognosis.  And that was over SIX YEARS AGO!  Booyah!!!  (Oh, I'm also slightly competitive.)

But...

Dialysis has its challenges.  

So I've been allowing myself to daydream a bit about all of the things that I thought I'd have to give up forever. 

A couple of summers ago, Mike and I went with my mom to Arkansas.  Mike really wanted to go Jet-Skiing.  Well, with a dialysis catheter in my abdomen, I can't get in lake or river water.  So I sat on the dock while Mike zipped around the lake.  Well, not anymore!  After transplant, I'll be zipping around the lake with him!


Last summer, we went to Colorado, and Mike went rafting.  He had a BLAST.  I mean, come on.  Look at him!
Image may contain: 1 person, outdoor and water

Image may contain: 1 person, outdoor, water and nature

Doesn't he look happy?  Well, I couldn't go.  And while I had a great time hanging out with my aunt while Mike was on his ride, how fun would that rafting trip have been?  So, after transplant, guess what?  That's right!  I can go rafting!

I've already told Mike to get ready.  There's a LOT on the agenda after transplant.  

So far, this is what I've got...
  • jet-skiing
  • camping
  • sky-diving
  • travel to Europe or Asia 
  • snorkeling
  • rafting
I mean, come on!  How exciting is this?  No more worries over late-night games, dinners, concerts, or football games.  I won't have to obsessively look at the clock every evening to ensure I allow myself 9 and a half hours of being tied to a machine.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm grateful for dialysis, but I'm also SO excited about getting a new lease on life.  I have a feeling that I'll be shocked at how much better I'm going to feel, how much more energy I'm going to have, and how much more active I can be.  

So I'm just going to keep riding this Pollyanna wave, and anytime I start feeling anxious about all this, I'll just picture myself jet-skiing, snorkeling, rafting, or sky-diving.

What else should I add to my "new life" list?

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