No Project Today

I’ve been working very hard on my dresser this week.  I spent three or four hours each of Tuesday and Wednesday sanding.  Whoever was the first person to put paint down on that dresser, did not take the time to prime or sand it.  Or if they did, they did a very poor job of it.  As I sand, parts of the paint peels off and becomes a glue like substance with the heat caused by the sander. 

Needless to say, I wish I would have stripped it instead.  I didn’t because there are damaged places on the dresser that I can either sand down or fill in.  I’ve done a bit of both. 

I’m sore and tired today after all that sanding and was kinda’ happy when I woke up and it was rainy and cold.  Keeps me away from the dresser for the day, which is a good thing.  I was getting very frustrated.  I only have one more side to sand then I’m going to buy a Dremmell tool to do some of the intricate work and it will be ready to paint.

Hopefully I will be finished with the dresser in time for my sister to come by and help me move things around for the next step in my plan!!!  She is going to Utah for Peach Days on Friday.

This week is a reflective week for me.  I received my new heart in the wee hours of September 6, a Wednesday. When I was put on the list for a heart transplant in July 2007, I had a very strong feeling that I would get my heart while my family was already gathered in Utah for some other event and my sister, Alice, had the feeling that I would get my heart about fall time.  We both told my friends that at a party the night before I left for Utah,  Alice and Alicia (my niece) were already coming for Peach Days in Brigham City 2 days after I got “the call.”  Mom rode up with them so she could visit me at the hospital.  I was still pretty sick and couldn’t have visitors much so they were even able to still attend Peach Days.  Isn't it strange how things work out like that!

  Want a funny story about the night in the hospital while I was waiting for surgery?  People were all very confused when I checked in at the hospital after the 45 minute drive to the University of Utah.  I checked in and they sent me to surgery to check in.  They took my name and information but had no idea what to do with me.  After sitting in the surgical waiting room for what seemed like for…ev…er, one of the cardiology students (for the fellowship program) came and found me.  I was getting a little worried that I was missing out on my heart!!!

Little did I know, that organ transplantation is a hurry up and wait!  I finally got in the correct room in the cardiac intensive care unit where I had a wonderful nurse that had dealt a lot with heart transplant patients.  Once I got settled, my brother in law left so that my sister could come to stay with me.  They sent me off to take the pre-operative shower with some special soap and started giving me IV meds to counteract some of the meds, especially the blood thinners, that I was already on and to get some immunosuppressants in my body prior to the surgery.  I had an allergic reaction to at least one thing (I’m think the soap) and got a very itchy, welted rash behind my ears.  They called a doctor to take a look and decided to add some Benadryl to my iv meds.  Which really was a good thing because I then slept until I later woke up needing to go potty, bad.

While I was in the restroom, the transplant team came to get me.  I got back in the room and they asked, “Are your ready?”   I said, “Sure, let’s go,”  and headed out of the room.  The nurse asked them if they were going to let me walk?  They decided that wouldn’t be good, what if I fell and hurt myself before surgery.  All I really wanted was to lie down somewhere because I was incredibly sleepy all doped up on Benadryl.  The nurse, once again, suggested that they take me in the bed since they will need it to get me back into the room post surgery.  I’m sure glad she had her senses with her!!!  As we left the room, she called out, “Have a good change of heart!”  Does that sound familiar to anyone?  That’s why I named my blog Change of Heart.  I didn’t realize it was going to mainly be a art/craft blog when I started it.  I was just going to right down what I do all the time.  Well, that is what I’m doing, but what I do all the time is CREATE!!!

When I got into the operating room and they were prepping me, the anesthesiologist was about to put me out when they realized I hadn’t signed the consent.  If I hadn’t been so drugged up, I might have gotten a little concerned at this point but all I wanted to do was sign and go to sleep!!!  That Benadryl made the whole thing a lot easier on me.  I’m about to undergo A HEART TRANSPLANT and don’t have a care in the world!!!  But, none of those guys were the actual doc that would perform the surgery.  He was on his way with my heart. 

I do kind of enjoy watching things on TV about heart transplants, but they are seldom true.  At least in my case and I think in most cases, the surgeon to perform the transplant is the doctor the harvests the organ.  One of the soap operas I watch has a story line about heart transplant and it’s so interesting to see how many things that don’t hold true.  This time, they are doing a pretty good job!

I really appreciate that you all stop by each day and leave such wonderful comments for me!  And don’t forget…

Every comment left until September 23 will be entered to win my Birthday Blog giveaway.  I’ll be posting about another item added for one more winner later this week, probably Friday!!!

Blessings,

Christine