Author Archives: lyn414

Kidding Myself

I don’t want to keep kidding myself, if I am, in fact, just kidding myself. I hope that makes sense. Do we ever really know if we’re just telling ourselves the stories we want to hear? Are we creating some … Continue reading

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MY Grass IS Green

Earlier this summer, I was starting to grow worn out. Despite my best attempts to be an eternal optimist, I felt like I was smiling through gritted teeth. I cried, I screamed, I was miserable and unpleasant to be around. … Continue reading

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Back to Good

Mid-February: “Sometimes I still feel the darkness creeping in. I’m not immune to the icy fingers of depression. Though I have myriad reasons to bask in the sunlight of a fortunate life, I do find myself grappling with demons on … Continue reading

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First Transplantiversary

One year ago on February 10th, 2015, I received a phone call that changed my life forever. My lung transplant coordinator, Kelly, called to ask if I was ready to have a transplant that very day, and thus I embarked … Continue reading

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Learning Love from Dogs

A culture’s capacity to act graciously, tenderly, and lovingly towards animals is the best indicator of that culture’s greatness and nobility. This is something we should all remember in our daily lives, for if we cannot treat the least of … Continue reading

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Music is my drug.

Music is my drug. Notorious rap artist 50-Cent said as much; “press play, you ain’t gotta sniff it, shoot it, or chop it, roll it, bag it, or pop it.” Touché. My “substance” use is out of control. Many mornings, … Continue reading

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New Year, New Possibilities

With the New Year upon us, millions of well-intending people are re-examining their lives in hopes of creating a better version of themselves in 2016. Losing weight, quitting smoking, getting a promotion, and other goals are set forth for the … Continue reading

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Meeting Connie’s Family

This past Friday, December 11th, was an important milestone in my life. I met my donor Connie’s husband and mom, Dan and Sandy. Though we’d been in touch via phone and letters, Friday was our first face-to-face visit. This is … Continue reading

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The Lung Transplant Diary

The Journey Continues… Things are quite a bit more settled than when I last wrote in August. Circumstances required me to be hospitalized again for a few weeks. I was really uneasy and anxious this time because I had grown … Continue reading

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The Lung Transplant Diary

Back into the “Real World” Being such a fragile patient so recently discharged, my pulmonary team, the surgeons, and my coordinator decided that I shouldn’t leave the Madison area any time soon. On March 13th, I was sent out into … Continue reading

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