1 year ago today

On the 7th day, of the 8th month, of the 9th year, a single star fell. And when it did, my world alligned. Suddenly, things had fallen into place for me...

Here I am, one whole year later. At 12.45am on August 7th, 2009, the phone rang.

"Hi Brianne, it's Trillum Gift of Life calling. We have a set of lungs for you. How soon can you get here...?"

And so the journey began.

Has it been a year already? Because I'm pretty sure it feels like yesterday.

So off to Toronto we rushed. We got there at 2am, and I got xrays and the like done. Then we spent the next 16 hours waiting in a frigid ICU room for the go-ahead. I couldn't eat, so everyone around me had Tims while I feasted on ice chips. Finally, at 7:20pm, i went into surgery and came out 10 hours later.

And i've been rockin' ever since.

Only 80% of transplant people survive the 1st year.

For once, I am in the positive side of the majority, and I intend on keeping it that way for a very long time.

On Tuesday I got my donor letter...

I remember walking to the mailbox and feeling sick to my stomach. I knew it had arrived. I read it in the backyard and cried. Much of my speculations were confirmed.

My donor was a man in his early 50's. He was a husband and a father. He died of a stroke at dawn on the 6th of August. And now, he is my hero.

It's crazy what a year can bring...what a year can do and a year can change. I will be wearing my t-shirt today with pride:)

Much love to you all, and especially my donor and his wonderful family (who wants to keep up writing back and forth - how lucky am i?)

Happy 1st birthday to me:)