Good things are happening

I feel as if things are FINALLY starting to calm down at the Smith house. I've managed to decrease my weekly ER or hospital visits as well. Go me!!

I'm starting to feel like all of the pain and suffering was worth it. If you would have asked me a little over a week ago if I would choose to get the transplant again, I would have said absolutely not. I've had no motivation or drive to do anything. I became depressed and gave up. However, things have been changing this last week. If you know me well, then you know when I get mad, I spring into action. On Sunday, December 2nd I got mad over something minor and unimportant and it was exactly what I needed. I decided I was going to make progress physically, cognitively and emotionally or die trying. I was going to start making things happen. I was not going to lie around waiting for changes. I was going to make them happen. I started pushing myself harder during my cardiac rehab and assigned myself homework activities that would help me improve in other areas.

The stroke has affected me the most. It's made it more difficult for me to process information, use my fine motor and gross motor skills, problem solve and so much more. I want to redevelop the skills I had before. So I started quilting with my longarm again. The quality has greatly decreased, but that's okay. I can only make progress and get better. It shows where I was pre-transplant and pre-stroke and to where I am now. I got my transplant call when I was two-thirds the way done longarming the quilt pictured below. I knew may skills would not be the same when I would finish the quilt, but I decided to finish anyway and use it to document my progress. I have lowered my exceptions and have found a lot of accomplishment in just finishing the quilt. Now I need to do the binding which will be difficult for me because of the fine motor skills it requires, but I will do it.

Growing up as a kid, I remember around Christmas time my mom would purchase a puzzle and I would try to help put it together. As I got older, I decided to share this tradition with Zoe. Puzzles were always easy for me. I found them relaxing and rewarding. After my transplant and stroke I was unable to put together a 20 piece puzzle without assistance. This last week I put a 300 and a 500 piece puzzle together.

I completed all of my approved occupational, speech and physical therapy appointments. I have worked on my response time and reflexes and I’ve been told I should not have any problems getting my drivers license back.

I practiced on a driving simulator. My anti-seizure medication has been decreased and in the first part of January I will go completely off of it. If I continue to be seizure free for a month I will be able to get my drivers license back.

Now it is time to practice on the road. I was really anxious. I got to take my new car we bought back in June for a drive. I was really nervous because since the transplant and all the medical care, riding in cars makes me extremely anxious. The thought of surviving a car accident and dealing with the pain that would result from a car accident is traumatizing for me.

I’m excited and motivated by all the progress I’ve made in the last week. I’m thankful for a Heavenly Father who provides opportunities for me to grow and make changes in my life. It’s only going to get better from here.