My Reality Check

An excerpt from a blog I wrote on December 27, 2007:

It's difficult for me to imagine what my life was like before the transplant. The days of four times a day dialysis, Epogen shots and never-ending aches, pains and illnesses seem like an eternity ago, yet the thought of doing it all again makes me sick to my stomach. But the harsh reality is that this kidney won't last forever, and my looming 10 year anniversary has posed some questions I'd just as soon avoid altogether. In searching for the answers, though, I found myself really thinking about the last 10 years...the places I've been, events I've witnessed and, most importantly, the people I've met who've touched my life in so many ways. It's safe to say, that none of this would have been possible without the transplant, and whether this kidney lasts 10 more days, 10 more months or another 10 years, I absolutely need to be careful not to take one second for granted.

So, here for your reading pleasure are highlights from my 10 (and counting) kidney-filled years...the good, bad and the completely ridiculous!

*PSU graduation
*Buying a car
*Corey's high school graduation
*Jen and Marty's wedding
*Becoming a godmother
*Lenny Kravitz
*Cell phones
*Old 97's
*Internet
*Drive-By Truckers
*MySpace
*Wayne "The Train" Hancock
*Jackson
*Poison!
*Corey joining the Army
*Corey in Iraq
*Beauty school
*100 Greatest Films of All Time
*September 11, 2001
*Mets games
*Digital cameras
*The Montel Williams show
*Dukes Fest
*Johnny Cash's death
*10 Year high school reunion
*Co-habitation
*Bermuda
*Piercings and Tattoos
*Texas
*Swing dance
*Sugar Notch
*Salsa
*Scranton
*Reality shows
*Parts Party
*Broken ribs
*Pajama-Rama
*Kristi's Wedding
*D-Dogg 151
*Lost in NYC
*Indian casinos
*Navy Base tour
*Holiday Hair
*Toothless dates

*Jen
*Ian
*Kelly
*Mr. T
*Carrie
*John
*Mike
*Kevin
*Qira
*Jon
*Roz
*Tom S.
*Julie
*Rockin' R
*Ilene
*Kristi
*Norm H. (honk, honk)
*Alyssa