Heart4Ash (Skwig)

We went down south to St George for Christmas and spent it with my husband's family. A whole lot of cooking non stop, but man it was good food. We had prime rib for dinner better than Lawrys Prime Rib in Vegas. Those guys are nuts, but sure a lot of fun. I forgot one of my doses of pills the other night. Coming back and forth it is hard to remember. If I am in my routine I am good, but if there aren't any post-it  notes I'm gone. Before heading down to St George I went to the gym to run on the treadmill. Treadmills are so hard for me mentally. I always have to tell myself that I would be here without my donor. I frequently say, "you can do it, my donor's name." I don't know if I can say my donor's name or not? I am going to ask for us all. Here are some pictures... My parents, aunt, uncle, cousins and two of us at Temple Square Wrigley knocked out after prime rib

Oh my gosh! As I was reading my scriptures I was thinking about my day and I almost went to bed before posting. Well, it was a good week. Work is picking up so I am happy about that. I love to stay busy to a point. One day I was thinking to myself and how blessed I am for everything I have received on this beautiful earth. My parents, brother, husband, wrigley , my bestest friends, 3 hearts I have had, my LVAD team, my doctors, my donors, a job, a house and the list goes on and on. Sometimes I miss that life. I don't miss the hospital trust me. I miss waking up and taking my time making breakfast, going to the gym, getting ready, going for a walk with wrig on my own time during the day. Now I'm waking up early enough to hit the gym, make breakfast and lunch, get ready and I am off to work. I know I am overly grateful for my job. I absolutely love it, there is just sometimes when I wish I could go back. I wouldn't last long though. Because, yesterday I went to the gym and r

This coming Tuesday is going to be a good day! This past week was way better than last week at work. I changed my mindset of work, work, work to more of a laid back self and telling myself it is okay if I don't have many patients. So remember when my doctor sat me down and pretty much yelled at. I haven't missed any of my pill's from that day on.  Ever since that moment I've been telling myself that my day can't begin or end without me taking my pill's. I am borrowing this heart so I have to take good care of it til  I give it back to my donor and give her a huge hug :)  I thought I would discuss my new year resolutions from this past year. I didn't achieve any of them, unfortunately. I was a shooting way far back. Small steps, I have realized this year. I was  planning on running a half marathon in Novemeber, but sickness took me. I am training for Febuary to accomplish my first half marathon. Hiking Mount Olympus, still haven't done. I was able to ge

It is crazy how fast a week goes by. My mom and I were discussing this over the weekend. How long a week would be when I was in high school, it took forever to get to the weekend. Now its like you blink 3 times and hey, we are there. Not that quick, but it comes around a lot faster than when I was young. I feel like when we grow up , life becomes a lot harder. You have to deal with finding a job, co-workers and bosses. Time flies by when you have to deal with all that. I can't believe that it has been 9 months this month since I got the gift of life. I thought that day would never come when Gus was stuck with me. Now that I am back to the old Ashley. I'm thinking like the old Ashley. Not good. It is so easy to take life for granted I believe that everyone has done this. I have, it's so simple. I noticed this when I went to the temple this past weekend with my mom. I am so blessed to still be on this earth that He created and I am able to go to his house on this earth to fee

This Thanksgiving holiday I felt more grateful than ever before. I didn't do anything special. I spent the day with my family. Thinking about last years Thanksgiving, I was in the hospital and my family brought me turkey and potatoes. What we went through this past year is crazy, but if you would ask me if I could do it all over again I would tell you, YES! Not sure what my husband or family would say.  I am so blessed that I received one heart on March 10th and another one on the 15th. There are so many people waiting for donors to save their lives. I received two donors within a week. Whenever I am sitting or lying and I hear my heart beating, I thank my donor and their family for saying yes to organ donation. I believe that I am still here to share my story and to inspire other's that are struggling. I never wanted to say this because I thought it was weird to say, but I full heartedly feel that way. I haven't really been telling what I have been feeling here and there.

Today at my appointment I got pretty much yelled at. I told them that I missed 3 doses, not all in a row. I missed 2 evening doses and 1 morning about 2 weeks ago. One of the doctors that I call my dad doctor, because he is a very strict and what he says goes. He told me that transplant patient ages 30 and younger usually pass because of not taking pills. I mean I knew how important my pills were because someone commented to never miss a dose. Also, he told me that rejection can happen within hours, HOURS!!!  By that time I was crying. He continues ... If my prograf  level is low, then I am going to have to come back before the  holiday to get a biopsy through the neck to check rejection. You know me, I would rather not go back in the hospital, especially if I am the reason why. My level came back at 10.8, they want me in between 8-10. I thought for sure I would be low,  because my last two blood draws were low. Dad doc was mad at me for not going to pick up the change in prograf  the

One day late, but always better late than never, huh? Alrighty folks this week was a pretty monumental because I am now 8 months ... craziness to actually think that.  I feel normal like I told all ya'll  last post I'm now back playing soccer, working my bum off at work, running when its not that cold outside. My mom and I are going to run a 5k on Thanksgiving day rather than a half marathon, but trust me, I am going to run one before my 1 year mark...promise. I feel like once I begin and over that first hill and I get my breath under control I feel like I could run for like 3 miles. Given that there aren't any major hills and I am running a 12 min mile. Afterward I feel so thankful and so good. It is so great that I am able to do these things again and I have to give it all to my donor and her family. About my prograf  level this week again I was low a little bit higher than last time, but I am going in tomorrow morning to see my docs and get my alomap done. They wante

Hey guys! Sorry about me not posting. I'm in a new house and my schedule is coming back to normal, I know another excuse but very sorry. This week what a week it has been. My work is going alright. I say alright because I am not that busy and I feel like I could be doing something more important. Sometimes it gets really awkward to and I'm not that great at awkward moments and I feel like they don't really need me there. Any ways I am hoping this week will be better. Alright, so I got my blood check on the 10th and my prograf  level was way low. My docs called and we played a little phone tag, but I finally got a hold of them. I think I already told ya  this. So I'm going to get my blood re-checked on the 18th. Heres some good news, so I can't carry my own kids. Steve and I have talked about adoption and surrogacy casually, but now we have someone that has offered and I mean there has been a few people that we know and some are in our family. This person is none o

Wow, totally forgot it post what the heck is going on with my life. Well, let me tell ya  about it. It has been pretty good. We just got our stove and couch the other day, so our home is much more homey. This past weekend we were helping my sister in law move into our basement. So after me being sick, I am nice and healthy now. I had another clinic appointment with the docs. They told me my progaf  was a little high, so they lowered that and got my blood check yesterday, Tuesday and they called me today to tell me its to low. I think I know why ... I forgot to take my pills muurrrr ... . Love taking my pills. NOT!! I know they keep me alive, but come on I can miss a day maybe 2. My white blood cells are back to normal too. :) So, about the half marathon. I haven't really been training. I know I know I stink, but guess what. I have been taking my dog Wrigley out for walks and he speed walks so that means I have to keep up with him. My fitbit  monitors my heart rate and every tim

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween weekend. Pretty laid back week for me because I haven't been exercising because of my stupid cough. I tried to workout on Tuesday night. I felt fine while I was dancing my buns off and squatting. My legs were feeling it for sure. It was hilarious. I suck at dancing, but so does my friend, so we were in the back row trying to stay up with the instructor. That night I was hacking my lungs up big time. So I decided maybe another week without exercising. Now what am I going to do about the half marathon? Not sure yet. Depends how well I do on my first run back. I was thinking I was planning on running/walking 13.1 miles that day anyways, even if it takes me half the day. Just want to finish. This week we have been moving in to our new home. Exhausting and annoying if you ask me. We are staying there tonight :) so very happy! We still need to do something's but we will be alright. Wrigley isn't so sure of the house and I think he mis

Hey guys, hope all y'all had a good week. Tuesday after the last home game of the Real Salt Lake my throat was not feeling the greatest. I thought it was from the sour startburst  I was chopping down on during the game. So I just went to bed not thinking anything, until I woke up in the middle of the night with my throat hurting. I was hoping that it would go away before the sun came up. I woke up before the sun to go to the gym, but my throat was still there. I warmed up some water and threw some salt in it and gurgled some of its salty goodness. My throat wasn't that sore after so I put on some gym attire and headed downstairs to get the hubby up and at it. While I was going down the stairs, I thought to myself the gym is crawling with germs. Your white blood cells (WBC) are really low, maybe you shouldn't go. I ended up getting back into bed til  7:20 am. I tried calling the clinic where my doctors are at, but I got no one. I fell right back to sleep til  my husband ca

Training for this half marathon is killin  my can . I ran 7 miles! The longest ever. My endurance is getting better though I can feel it. When I am running my muscles aren't telling me to stop anymore and I am breathing much better too. I love that now I can continue to keep challenging my body. Yes, I know this might sound silly, but I love the feel of sore, tired muscles. So on Wednesday I had an appointment with the doctors and this time they just took my blood. So happy that they don't have to go through my neck for my biopsy. Just a test called Alomap. My blood work showed that my white blood cells are low. This means that my immune system is really, really low. No bueno . Some of the side effects of low white blood cells (WBC) are fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and recurrent of infections that are difficult to treat. I am very used too the first 3 and I am feeling a wee bit fatigue, but all is good. My doctors decided to lower my cellcept to 2 pills in the morni

Crazy past few days in the Askwig household. First off I want to thank everyone that came out yesterday to the DASH4ASH. I was so amazing the people that showed up so thank you from the bottom of my heart. We had 7 people sign up to be donors. If you aren't a donor go online and google Utah donor registry. You could save someone's life like me. At the 5k we had Barney a 2 time liver recipient and Julie a 2 time kidney recipient there. They were just as grateful to their donors and being able to do things in the day to day life without struggle. Thanks to all my friends that came out to support, I truly appreciate it!  Barney, Me and Julie Jen , Me & Abbie Leslie, Me and Espi Before the 5k we had our last meeting to get everything locked and loaded for Saturday. My cousin Jen flew in from Houston, Texas to help out. Everyone was a little tense and stressed, but we pull it off. Stuffin swag bags, getting all the raffle items together and letting t

This week is all a blur to me. Monday I had my clinic appointment and guess what? They said I can do a half marathon as long as I listen to my body and walk or rest when I need to. I am now training and it is not easy. I am doing this program that runs 3 days and 2 days of cross training, it is kicking my butt. It feels amazing though at the same time hahaha . I love that I sweat, I have to wear deodorant now, love it all! I used to not wear any deodorant for the past couple of years because I never got my heart rate up to make myself sweat. Pretty sad. So thankful for my heart. I am in awe every single day. I ran 6 miles with a little bit of walking, but that the furtherest I have gone. So proud. Afterward, I'm not even tired. I mean I'm tired of running, but I am able to go on with my day which is wonderful. This weekend was a great weekend because we had General Conference. I love hearing the words and teaching of the prophets. So many great talks were spoken. I really enj

Hey guys!! I hope y'all had a good week. My week was another great week. Work was awesome sauce as usual. We got another Physical Therapist working, she is very nice. Now I have 3 PT I'm working under. I hope my schedule at work will get a little bit busier. :) On Monday I had to get my blood drawn, but I forgot. So on Tuesday I remembered, but I already took my prograf . Wednesday I got it all right and they took my blood at Alta View so I didn't have to go to IMC. The reason why they wanted my blood was to check the level of prograf  in me because I am now off fluconazol  the pill that fights of fungi infecting stuff. I guess when people go off it their prograf  level tends to lower. Mine was a little bit low last time they checked it so they wanted another poke. I was still a wee bit on the lower end so they bummed my prograf  to 2 pills in the morning and 3 pills at night time. Ever since then I feel like I have a little pep in my step kinda  not sure if that is me imag

Busy BUSY week! Monday : I had my last biopsy going through my neck!!! So happy I am! Now they can just take my blood and do some testing on it to see if the ticker is rejecting or not. There is a magical number 34, so if I am below 34 I am good to go, but if I am above, then I will have to go in for a normal neck cramping biopsy. This test is called Al-o-map not quit sure how to spell it, but how thrilled I am about it. It takes 48 hours to process though. My alomap  came back at 32. I asked the nurse what was the lowest number he has seen and he said it doesn't matter because a 10 or a 32 could mean the same amount of rejection. I thought that was interesting. So my biospy  and echo was great. I asked the radiologist that was performing my echo about ejection fraction (EF), how well the left side of the heart pumps blood to your body. He said that most athletes have a lower EF, mine is a 56% if I round it up. Ever since I was diagnosed with my heart problem EF was a huge dea

Dang, this week sure flew by but another great week to put in the books for me. I was looking at my instagram  the other day and someone posted about how we can choose to be positive or negative about our situation and life. I totally agree. I feel like when I am nagging and negative, I feel sucky  but when I am happy and positive the world is just a better place. It is so simple to say things that aren't very nice. For example, Steve and I were at the ISU soccer game today in Logan and there was this Utah State fan yelling at the ref and just yacking his mouth. One of the ISU fans started to say could you shut up and other stuff that wasn't so nice. And then you can probably imagine what happen a few exchanged words that are bad ones may I add. In the end the Utah State fan was just being a little loud, but I think the ISU fan could of just ignored the man like everyone else was doing. That probably wasn't that great of an example, but you get the point. Like my mom taug

I could say wow, what a busy weekend, but honestly we didn't do much. But hey, we still had a great Labor day weekend.  My week was good no complaints at all, except I think I over did myself. So I told y'all that I played in my first soccer game 2 Saturdays ago. On Monday (not Labor day) I went out and kicked the ball around and did some sprints afterwards my ankles hurt slightly nothing to be aware. I went on with my week continued to exercise. On Wednesday I went to the gym in the morning and then in the evening I played tennis with my hubby. After that, my ankles hurt again. On Thursday I went on a walk with Wrigley and did an ab workout. On Friday after work I decided to go for another run. I started out just great I think my endurance is finally paying off. But then afterward my ankles were killing me, like I didn't finish my run because of these ankles of mine. So when I got home, I found a bucket and filled it up with water and ice and stuck my ankles in it. This

What a weekend! My week was good too, but the weekend was off the chain!! First off, I spoke at the Donor Services Monument to all the families that had someone that donated either their loved ones or their tissue, eyes, bones or organs to someone like me. It was a pretty emotional ceremony, but I sucked up the tears and shared my story and my gratitude towards my donors families.  What an amazing gift to give someone, really though what else out there, can you give someone that can save and change someones life. No words to express how blessed and over my head, thankful I am for my ticker. It was so great to see everyone that came to support not only me but everyone that participated and those that had given the Gift of Life to someone. In the Intermountain area there were over 500 donors this year and think how many people were saved? I was saved!! Whoot Whoot! On the same day that I spoke which was Saturday I went to go kick the ball around with Real Salt Lake Women's team. T

You know how I was saying that I want to be able to run forever like right this very moment but can't. I had a patient, this week that kind of reminded me to take a step back and to appreciate how far I have come from. The patient was doing her home exercise program (HEP) 3 times a day, going to the gym and doing pool workouts. She explained to me that she isn't getting the results she wants. Sound familiar? Yes, this is me to the T. Reality check Ashley Paige! The patient was me and I was my doctors. As I was explaining to her how the body works... DING DING DING!! I got my answer. Long-suffering and patience is sometimes what we need. Do you remember "Let's go for a hike" post. If not you can go back and see what happened. Yesterday I crushed Bell's Canyon trail and let me tell you it felt sooo  good!! It is so crazy to me how bad my original heart was and how well I am doing now. So thankful for my donor to saying yes to organ donation. No words can or c

I did it!! I finished riding 50 miles on my stromer  yesterday at the Wildflower Pedalfest. Man was my legs tired after, but I completed the ride in one piece. I am so grateful for a body that is able to do such miraculous things. At the end of the ride, probably the last 20 miles. My body was saying, "okay I am done, you can stop now", but NO I kept on going. Our minds are amazing, we can tell ourselves we can, keep going even if our bodies are telling us to stop. If we can train our minds to keep us moving forward in life in whatever it is, we can tackle anything that comes in our way! What a great way to celebrate 5 months with my new ticker!! Can't believe it has been 5 whole months. So very blessed that I have been able to stay healthy, germ free and to stay out of the hospital. Even though I miss my good ol' ICU nurses. On Thursday guess what I had? Yup, another biopsy and echo. I think it was my 10th one. CRAZY BEANS!! My docs tell me after so many months