Things are going fabulous. I really have NO complaints! Thomas and Mack (my new lungs) are doing wonderful. I would have never dreamed that I would need to get new blowers! I go to the transplant clinic this coming Tuesday for blood work, 6 minute walk, chest xray, pulmonary function test and see the doctor. My lung function is 97% WOW thats grand! Right before my transplant my lung function was an awful 14%. I feel more alive everyday. Since transplant and my heart surgery I found that I'm more open minded and I do things that before I would have said "no" to. Life is short and I'm going to make my lungs work hard and have fun. I'm living for me and for my donor. I thank him and his family everyday for my gift. I wear a butterfly necklace in his honor, a butterfly looks like a set of lungs. And it also represents the changes I've gone through. From a catapillar to a butterfly able to spread its wings and take flight! I'm finally back to messing with the horses, can't wait until I can barrel race again! Each breath I take is a true blessing. I cheerish the most smallest tasks and things. I notice things that before transplant I never gave a second thought to. Birds chirping, grasshoppers playing their music, the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze of the wind. The simple things excite me and awaken me the most. Horses munching on grass, nickers at feeding time, dogs barking hello. Would I do it all again, knowing what I know now? Yes, in a heartbeat!!! I love life. I tell strangers hello, smile, and try to brighten someones day and hope that they to can feel really alive and happy as I am.

Candi