#69: Schedule annual blood work and medical exams.

Date Completed: 12/20/2010

Blech. No one enjoys getting their annual exams and blood work done, do they? But, it's a necessary part of staying healthy. I tend to put this off and last year, it kind of caught up with me. So this year, I added it to THE LIST to ensure I got in on time. To my surprise, better nutrition and exercise actually paid off! I'm happy and healthy and ready to take 2011 by storm. You know who else is ready to take life by storm? MY FRIEND JAMIE!!! I've written about her in this blog several times this year and will take another opportunity to sing her praises. December 21, 2010 was the winter solstice and on the darkest day of the year, shined the brightest light. Jamie received her double lung transplant at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. She is recovering well and will hopefully take her first unassisted breath with her new lungs as soon as today. We may never know the family of the angel who saved Jamie by so selflessly donating these lungs, but that person will forever live on in our hearts. One organ donor can potentially save more than 60 lives which is why this year I registered as a donor (#6 on THE LIST). We all have a choice. If your choice is to donate, please let your wish be known by ensuring that you are officially registered and that your family and friends know your decision. Thank you to the family of this stranger from Kansas who saved our Jamie. Thank you to every donor family. May you find peace in your hearts this holiday season knowing that the spirit of your family member lives on.

While we wait for Jamie's first breath, we continue to press forward with J's Crew and our Climb for a Cure fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis. Someday, we want CF to stand for CURE FOUND! If you are interested in joining our climb team in Minneapolis or would like to make a donation in Jamie's honor, please click this link.