Kidney Transplant..An Attitude of Gratitude is the Key

This past year has been incredible to say the least. The

kidney transplant, the Good Samaritan donor, staying in
Utah, my daughter giving a person on the waiting list her
kidney with all the emotion of learning and growing has
been a roller coaster ride. However, through it all there has
been so much hope, love, and charity from many different
sources. It has really helped to even things out.


This has been the most humbling time of my life.
There is so much gratitude in my heart for many people. It
is difficult to find the words to express the love that has
been shown to my family as well as myself. Many prayers
have been offered on my behalf (even from strangers) that
have truly strengthened me emotionally and physically...
thank you all!


To anyone out there who is struggling with a difficult
illness, my heart goes out to you. May I share a suggestion
that has helped me? Through this experience people told me
that I had an amazing attitude about my trials. Although, it
was (and is) very difficult at times to have a positive attitude,
I found that you just have to dig deep and focus on the blessings
you do have. When you do, it will help you to recognize hope
even in the midst of your trial. Gratitude in your attitude will
come as well, and you will soon find the strength to get through
whatever it is that you are going through.

I also have found that when I see anyone who has it worse than
I do (and they are all around us) I get perspective. When I saw
this TV commercial (link below) with this amazing young woman
(with one leg) with the best attitude ever, I realized my problems
were very small. It gave me a better perspective, to see the big
picture and improve my attitude into gratitude for how good
I really do have it and my many blessings in my life.

A St. Jude Research Hospital commercial comes to mind
about attitude. A young girl, Kate Foster (#87 on her shirt) talks
about attitude and is a wonderful example to all of us about
dealing with life's adversities. She has a perspective and attitude
from which we can all learn. Click (Below) to see the commercial:

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7bmQ/st-jude-childrens-research- hospital-fighting-cancer


Most importantly...Don't give up! Be strong! There
are so many daily blessings for which to be grateful. They
really are all around us. I have learned so many wonderful
things from this experience as you have read in my previous
blog posts that I would not have learned any other way.

*****From time to time, I will continue to update my blog
about my kidney transplant journey. My daughter that
donated her kidney on my behalf will be guest-blogging
for the next few posts.

Then, I will start posting recipes, helpful household hints, 
and Santa's Gift Shoppe Etsy's store items again  available
to purchase. 

Please keep coming back. We love having you visit!

Kidney Transplant...It Wasn't About Me

After being at my daughter's home for some time

improvement came slowly. I had blood tests two days a week

for the first two months, and I saw the doctors every other

week. The 50 to 60 pills I was on slowly decreased to 40 to

50. Now I am taking 31 pills.

I still could not do much and was extremely tired. I

had two iron infusions and waited for weeks for the iron

to kick in. Waiting for increased strength and energy seemed

to take forever.

Since there was little I could do about any of this, I

had a lot of time to think. I knew months before that this

experience was not necessarily about me. Sure, I needed

a kidney transplant, but there was a much bigger picture.

What was truly wonderful was realizing that my daughter

and I had the opportunity to help many more people

because of our experience.

We found out about different community activities

we could participate in (such as a 5K fundraiser) that was

coming up in Aug. of this year. We realized that we could

send articles into publications interested in human experience

stories. My doctor in California requested that I become a

kidney transplant ambassador and share my experience at

educational events helping people learn more about transplants

and organ donation. (My daughter has also been asked to

be an ambassador of sorts for organ donation from the

donor side; stay tuned in the next blog post for ways you

can help in this important effort.) We realized that we could

also help more people just by seeing the needs around us.

I think we have more empathy and can be of greater

service to our fellow human beings because of what we have

experienced. I know for myself and my daughter, we have

such a passion to spread the word about organ donation and

all the many ways people can help save lives.

This started out as a trail, it then became a journey,

and  now an eye opening adventure. I have learned many

things about myself, my life's mission, and the goodness

that is still in people (despite the chaos out in the world),

and especially the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the

eternal love of a Heavenly Father.

I am so grateful for all that has happened to me, to

help me understand better where I need to go with my life

and better serve the needs of family, friends, and people

around me. It has been a wonderful learning opportunity

for all of us.

FREE GIVEAWAY...12x12 Italian Stone w/Vinyl Lettering

It's FREE GIVEAWAY time again!!!! We had a
BLAST last time, so... let's do it again...

I LOVE the saying on this Italian Stone...
Having someone to love is Family,
Having someplace to go is Home,
Having both is a Blessing.

(Great idea to accent your home decor
or gifts for Christmas, Birthday,Anniversary,
House Warming or Party Host.)

This Giveaway is in honor of
Thanksgiving- the holiday that often gets
lost between Halloween & Christmas.
Hopefully, it be a time for Reflection &
Gratitude of Families & Country..

*Please note: This Giveaway is open to residents
in the 48 Contiguous United States (due to S/H cost)

*******How to Enter *******
There are 3 ways to enter with MANY
(up to 15) chances to win:

1) 2 chances to win...
"POST" on your blog about the Giveaway &
the 12x12 Italian Stone w/Vinyl Lettering...
Leave me a Comment with a link..
***(Link will be verified)***


2) 3 extra chances to win...
Become a "FOLLOWER" on my blog..
Go to the sidebar where it says
"FOLLOWERS" & click on the word
"FOLLOW" continue with the
PROMPTS...That's all there is to it...

(If you're already a Follower &
are interested in the Giveaway,
you'll receive 3 chances.)

Exclusively for Followers!!
Can you keep a secret???
The next Free Giveaway
is for "FOLLOWERS ONLY"
so...HURRY and become a
Follower TODAY!

3) 10 more chances to win... Of your family & friends, who do you think would like to join us & "share the magic" at Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique?
For EACH contact (Name, Address, & Zip Code) you email me (@santasgiftshoppe@gmail.com)
you'll receive 1 more chance per contact-limit 10.

*And those of you who don't live locally, but would like to share this with family & friends, send me their Email Address to receive 1 more chance per contact - limit 10.

**Remember: Please leave contact information (email,address, etc.) if you are the Winner...

***This Giveaway will Close @ 12 midnight on Nov. 7, 2009...

***The WINNER will be announced on Nov. 10, 2009) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAILS WITHIN 24 hrs. of this date to determine if you are a winner. If you are the winner, email me your Name & Address to receive your gift.... GOOD LUCK.....