Heart4Ash (Skwig)

This past weekend was a little bumpy since my angiogram, the doctor told me to take it easy for 3-4 days after because they had to go through my right femoral artery which is a huge and major artery. That meant no running, biking or hiking. On Saturday I decided to go for a walk/run, the majority of it I walked. This time I went 4.7 miles, the longest I have ever done!! During it though I was struggling, I would be running and then I would go like a block and be tired again. Man, what does taking 3 days off? I wasn't that nice either this past weekend, not sure what it is but I was in the slums. Today I feel a little better because now I am able to be more active. Maybe it's because I wish I was working again because what I do is the greatest job ever. I've had a handful of interviews and only one job offer... Stinky! All of this that is going on made me think, if I have faith in Him our Heavenly Father, He will provide a way. I know sometimes it is hard to wait it out, bu...

What a day I had yesterday... My angiogram and biopsy went great. My arteries are all intact and pumping amazing, my biopsy results came back at the lowest ever so that's just fantastic. After the procedure I had to lay in bed with my leg straight and my head could only be at 30 degrees for 6 hours straight talk about boring. The next time I'm going to have to do that again is in a year thank goodness. Today I got to go to lunch with my college coach Alison. It was so amazing to see her and chat it up with her about what she's been doing and all that jazz. But more importantly, we talked about the Fifa Women's World Cup and how it is so incredible that some of the players on the teams didn't even play on a club soccer team. Maria Sanchez is one of Alison's players on the Women's Soccer team at Idaho State and Maria is on the Women's World Cup team of Mexico. The first time Maria put on a jersey was in high school. For me, I put on a jersey was at age 4...

Man does it feel good to sweat!!! Yes indeed it does! Some people hate to sweat, but for someone who hasn't been able to sweat for years I am loving it! Today at the gym, yes I said gym... I can now go to the gym, but still have to be extra cautious about all the germs. I was on the treadmill running and at the end of my workout I decided to up my pace for the last three tenths of a mile. I was dead before deciding to bump it up, but in the end I finished strong. It feels incredible to be able to push myself. I thought I would never ever be able to do such a thing. I know I might be repeating myself from my other posts, but truly how very blessed I am for this heart and how I can now push my body to the next level. I can't wait to see where I will be at this time next year. Tomorrow morning I am going in for my #7 biopsy and coronary angiogram where they go in and check the arteries and vessels in my heart. I am kinda nervous because my first heart had an ...

On my run this morning I was thinking as I was trying not to stop running. Quitting is so easy! How many people out there have quiet? A bunch. As I am trying to get my body back into shape it is rough. There is sometimes I am dog tired, but then I think to myself, "Quitting is easy and you don't want easy!" I was also thinking how crazy that horses can run themselves to death. Why can't humans? HAHAHa ! I know why, but honestly, why do we all quiet way before our bodies are tapped? Here is a little bit of encouragement for us all. When you are thinking about quitting say to yourself, "You got this!" Because then you are going to be pushing yourself to a whole new level. It is so amazing how far I have come. Everyday is a struggle, but if it was all so easy; what's the point of life? I'm not just talking about getting back into shape either. I'm talking about following through with something you've been thinking about or finish up that project...

Wow is all I have to say about everything. This past weekend was a crazy one for me. I had a clinic appointment on the 11th and all my blood work came back great. I am so blessed that my body has sorta  excepted this heart. Also too, I have responded back to the father of the daughter's heart that is in me now. So nuts how we can communicate through the Intermountain Donor Services. On Friday my mom's business had this golf tournament at the South Mountain golf course where there were 160 teams. My charity was obviously heart4ash for medical bills, prescriptions, and all that jazz. Scottie, Kim, Nina, Kristen and I was there at the hole. "Hit the Heart" was the motto. $5 for a raffle ticket to try to hit a heart on the green. We all did great and I am so very grateful for everyone that helped out and who donated. It is so crazy to think that all of this was for me. For example, Scottie said, "Do you want to know how much we have?" I simply said, "No....

Well folks we did it!! The whole 50 miles and boy oh boy was I pooped! Logan is such a pretty place to ride a little stinky in some areas, but overall a great ride. Nice and flat no big hills. There was a ton of ladies there too, I think over 3,000. My mom and I only saw one other tandem and it looked like a  mom and daughter team too, the best kind of team out there. I loved how quiet and calm it was while we were riding along, it was so comforting to hear all the birds chirping, a little breeze and sometimes a cow or horse would say hello to us as we rode by. This earth is so incredible. The last 7 to 5 miles I was dragging big time, my back started to tell me it was done and my legs weren't even saying anything because they hit their wall, but I was bound and determined to finish strong. These absolutely lovely people sliced a home grown watermelon and put it out on a table for anyone who passed and if that watermelon wasn't there I don't know if I would of been able to...

Well, hey there! I have been slacking just a wee bit, my bad. I had a biopsy and echo this morning and I just got the results and everything is looking gooood ! My docs told me I can go down on my prednisone (the steroid that makes my face look like the moon) to 15 mg daily so I am super pumped about that. They say I should be off the prednisone in October! Whoot Whoot! Last week Steve's family came into town. It was great to see everyone because we hardly ever get all together because his family lives everywhere...literally. His brother is in Florida, parents are in Kanas City and GMA is in St George, but we have his sister in Farmington so thats great nice and they are the bestest. It was Steve's Birthday too, so we got to celebrate his big 29!! Listen to this... for Steve's birthday, we were getting ready to go to dinner and he was rushing me to hurry up and I was like, "Okay I'm coming, why are you so eagered to go?" We get into the car and off we go a...