a nice little pat on the back.

A fellow blogger was kind enough to give me my first blog award! Neato! I am new at this whole idea of a blogging community but I am loving all of the support I have already been shown. Its pretty cool. So anywho, on to the award....did I hear some chanting of "speech! speech! speech!"? Why yes, I do believe I did. Here goes...

I would first like to thank the academy. And by academy I mean Kimberli over at Finding My Way for nominating me for this award. 

I would also like to thank the person who made the cute award button that I now get to put on my sidebar to make me look like a fancy pants, rockstar blogger.

                                              hint: the name of the award is 'the versatile blogger'

Now with this little award comes some rules: 

Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award (check)
2. Share 7 things about yourself (about to check)
3. Pass the award to up to 10 versatile bloggers (drumroll please....)
4. Let those bloggers know that you gave them the award (will check soon)

7 things about dana you don't need to know but I'm gonna tell you anyways:

1. I have a college degree in communication sciences and disorders and I am currently in graduate school for my masters in that same area. (speech language-pathology) 

2. I pick apart my food before I eat it. ex. a subway sandwich-> I open the sandwich, eat the toppings, then the cheese, etc.) 

3. I have a dog named toby. He likes to think he is human. 

4. I am extremely claustrophobic. 

5. Reading is a passion of mine. It is way more than a hobby. 

6. I love chick-fil-a mostly because of their variety of delicious drink choices. 

7. I am scared of the dark, so I sleep with the television on until I go to sleep every night. 

The cool part is I also get to pass the award on to another blogger who deserves a cool, fun award and a cute button to go on their blog 'resume', if you will. 

And the award goes to.....drumroll please.......

Angie over at Bring The Rain
Congrats Angie! Your blog is inspiring, versatile and fun to read!

Well, thats all for now. Have a great night!

living abundantly,
Dana :)

P.S. Don't forget about the upcoming fundraiser on Saturday, March 26th. All proceeds go towards medical expenses transplant surgery you learned about here

To buy your ticket or raffle ticket contact Josh Whitfield at joshwhitfield@gmail.com and check out the facebook invite here!

sleepover partay. woohoo!

After 2 weeks of rest and recovery (from my most recent hospital stay I talked about in this post) at the parent's house in Statesboro, my stubborn "me must be independent" attitude kicked in. I packed my bags to head home to Savannah and then it came to me, "ummm I can't drive, I can't cook for myself, I'm on pain meds, blah blah blah" Ugh. What to do now? I love being with my parents, don't get me wrong. (hi mom, I love you. and yes, I know you are reading this) I am just so stinking fiercely independent and lets be real, I also wanted to be closer to my friend-amily (friends I call family) and boyfriend ben. But it looked as if little baby birdy wasn't leaving the nest just yet.

And then.....Wah-lah! My very best special friend Casey, whom I happen to adore, told me, yes told me, I was to come to Savannah and stay with her and her family (that I also adore). And peeps, who was I to argue? I was headed to Savannah. 

So that was last Friday. Yes, I have been here, sleeping on their leathery couch (I happen to love sleeping on a couch) watching army wives on netflix for a week. And no, they haven't kicked me out yet. Don't worry, don't worry I'm not planning on mooching or planting my cute butt here permanently. Just until I am able to take care of myself, which is this weekend most likely. And it kinda makes me sad, I have truly enjoyed my time here with the Sanders clan. I would like to think the feeling is mutual. :) 

So here are some reasons the Sanders rock and some things I particularly enjoyed about my stay here..

1. They took me in without a moment's hesitation. And did I mention they have a toddler (that is (P)recious) and a brand new baby? Yeah, rockstars they are. 

2. Since the time Casey and I became friends, she has loved me unconditionally and been one of the best friends I have had. Very loyal, that Casey. Actually come to think of it, their WHOLE family has been that way to me. Love.

3. Casey makes me snort laugh. 

4. They actually cook dinner around here. Doesn't happen too much around my apartment. 

5. Army Wives on netflix

6. Watching American Idol...and all of our special critiquing of each singer. FYI Sanders clan are very talented musicians. So, their critiques actually were valid...much different than my "oh she's so pitchy tonight!" or "he needs teeth whitener". 

7. Getting to know new baby L and spending time with sweet P. 

Just being around my peeps has done wonders for this sick girl. I've said it before and I will say it again, God has blessed me with some sweet-tastic friends. I simply could not be who I am or persevere through tough circumstance without them all. Nothing is by accident, its all apart of an awesome plan. And I am proud and humbled to be apart of it. Love you Sanders fam. 

tehehe... 

living abundantly, 

Dana

P.S. Don't forget about the upcoming fundraiser being held for me (yay!) (how cool!) (how very sweet!) on Saturday, March 26th. All proceeds go towards medical expenses.
To buy your ticket or raffle ticket contact Josh Whitfield at joshwhitfield@gmail.com and check out the facebook invite here!

fundraiser fun 2011

So faithful blogger peeps, there is a Low Country Boil Fundraiser being held to help with my medical bills and expenses related to the transplant surgery I talked about in my blog here !
I am having the total pancreatectomy and islet cell transplant surgery April 18th at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. I was very honored and excited when I heard a fundraiser was being held in my honor. I am so humbled by everyone's desire to help out. All I can really say is, God answers prayers in real ways.

The details (deets)
What is it? Low Country Boil Fundraiser (Yummmmy!)
Where? Josh and Lauren Whitfield's house in Statesboro, Georgia
              need address? no problem. click here !
What for? To raise funds to help with medical bills and expenses related to my transplant surgery.
How Much? $25 per person. All proceeds will go to medical expenses. Kids eat free!
What else? Fun items will be raffled off. Ask for details.
How? Buy your ticket from Josh Whitfield, Lauren Whitfield, Deborah Whitfield, Michael Whitfield, or me. For information and to buy tickets and raffles, Contact Josh Whitfield at joshwhitfield@gmail.com

*If you can't come, no problem you can still buy a raffle ticket! Ask for details.

For more information and full invitation just click here ! 
Contact us if you want to come or purchase a raffle ticket!

spring break 2011! oh wait..

This coming week should be my Spring Break!! Cue pictures of me hanging ten at the beach...

But wait...I'm not on spring break. Huh?! Say Whaaa?! (more on this later..) And no, that picture is not actually of me. Not like I ever spent time "hanging ten"on my past spring breaks anyway but that is not the point. So as you learned in my last post, I am having major surgery next month (NEXT month?! eeek. deep breaths, deep breaths) and was in the hospital for most of february and just now starting to get back to 'normal'.

Therefore, after much prayer and discussion with my family and professors, I have decided to take a medical withdrawal from this semester of grad school. Which because of the way my specific program is designed, I have to take courses in a rotation. I also cannot be placed in my externships without certain prerequisites. So basically how that works out for me is...I can't go back until next spring. Gulp.

What you must understand about me is this, I am one of the most goal driven, plan-based people you will ever meet. Ever. Meet. I must have a "purpose" and a "plan". For the past 6 years, and really my whole life, my purpose (as far as careers etc go...not my purpose as a human.) has been education and work. So this whole, "taking a break from school to focus on my health" thing is completely outside of my realm of comfort. Completely. Cue anxiety and sweaty pits. Yes, people I sweat when I am nervous.

Taking a detour from said "plan" also breaks my heart. I worked very hard to get here. And by 'here' I mean get my undergraduate degree (it took me quite awhile to complete undergraduate because of the stinky chronic illness) and then get into graduate school. It has been my dream, for the past 7 years, to finish school and have a career, despite all of this medical stuff. So...naturally I am a little perturbed that this is not all going according to my "plan". I can imagine God finds all this amusing. My plan making and such. "Oh Dana, you and your silly life plans. If you only knew what I have planned". He also probably finds it amusing that I am quoting these words like its seriously something he 'said'...but I digress.

However, I do have a peace and an understanding about the fact that all of these things, including the rotten timing of this illness and surgery, are for a higher purpose. I also can, with the strength of my faithful God and the amazing people in my life, handle this. God's timing is perfect and divine. He is never wrong. Never. So I do trust that this will work out. However, I am still heartbroken and terrified. I am so frustratingly human.

This is a season of life I never expected to walk through. However, this next season is just that....a season. It shall pass.
Many people have been asking, the surgery is scheduled for April 18th. My family and I are truly grateful for all of the prayers, support, and encouragement we have received. We are in awe of how wonderful everyone has been. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I will pay you all in air hugs! :)

journey to hope

What up. So everyone, this post is my attempt to wrap my mind around the crazy, weird, intense, hazy fog that is my life right now.  It is also to share with everyone just exactly what has been happening with the dana-meister (me) as of late. It is much easier to update everyone all together here rather than sending separate emails, facebook messages, text messages, phone calls etc. etc. etc. I apologize in advance if this post is all over the place. Lets just blame it on the medicines.

Okay so here is the low down or is it down low? Either way, I have been very, very sick lately. I usually try to sugar coat the situation or make light of my health but there simply is no way to do that now and it would simply be untrue. So Ima be real wit ya.

In November/December and then again for this past month, I was hospitalized for pancreatitis. This would now make the 12th time in the past 6 years? Not sure. Its definitely double digits.

As some or most may know, I have pancreatic disease and have since childhood. The disease has progressed and evolved over the years. In the these last couple of years, I have started having chronic pain, the pain has worsened, the pain medications have increased, and the hospitalizations are longer and closer together. All of this to preface another discussion about my treatment options and recent decisions in that department...

Basically there isn't a whole lot you can do for chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic insufficiency. Its another one of those stinky diseases without a cure. Its also one of those stinky diseases that don't have a whole lot of treatment options. Since my disease has progressed so much, I now have even less options. These options include either having a permanent feeding tube, constant pain medications, and more hospitalizations OR a surgery.

About two years ago, my family and I heard of a newer, innovative surgery being done on individuals with pancreatic disease at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The surgery was a total pancreatectomy and islet cell transplant surgery. The simple explanation is this: the surgeon will first remove my pancreas, spleen, part of stomach, and part of my intestines. Then the scientists will harvest my islet cells from my pancreas and these islet cells will then be transplanted back into my liver. My liver will then house the islet cells with the hope that they will take on the function of the pancreas in their new organ home.

Wowza. Okay so the first time I heard what the surgery consisted of, I laughed. I was like no way am I that desperate. I will never let anyone remove a vital organ from my body! Never! But people, that was two years ago. My disease was a totally different animal back then. A much tamer animal. Back when we originally heard about the surgery, we heard of it being done at the Mayo Clinic. Although I was terrified and not really sold on the idea, my family and I nonetheless packed our bags and headed up to Rochester. Long story short, we decided that at that time, the surgery held too many risks and was therefore not for me and we went home.
The story picks up again about two years later in September of this year. I travelled to MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) in Charleston, SC for a couple of different procedures. These procedures were kind of a last ditch effort to help stop my chronic pain and some other issues I had been having. The procedures were essentially unsuccessful. These unsuccessful procedures caused my team of doctors to suggest that I meet with the surgeon there that had recently started performing the pancreatectomy and islet cell transplant surgery. I was still unsure but agreed to meet with her. After meeting with her, I was encouraged and started to feel like maybe this surgery wasn't the most insane idea on the planet.

After months and months of praying, talking with doctors, talking with family and friends, and a little more praying I began to feel this surgery was the right move for me. I contacted the surgical team and we began moving forward with the candidacy process. So after ANOTHER hospitalization in February, I was pushed over the edge.  I got the confirmation that I was looking for. The confirmation that the way I have been living, in constant pain, always in the hospital, feeding tubes, and pain medicine...isn't what I want for myself. I want to live a "normal" life. To feel good enough to work. To feel good enough to finish grad school. To feel good enough to just enjoy the wonderful people God has put in my life. So another long story short, the decision was made. I am having the surgery in April. Eeeeeeek!

Now that I have made this decision, everything seems to be happening so fast. I have been faced with some pretty big decisions and honestly, its all very terrifying. I like to control everything in my life. And none of this is in my control. I have had to place it all in God's hands and take the biggest leap of faith I have ever taken.

So now this terribly long post is coming to an end. I do apologize for the novel I just wrote but it was hard for me to write on this subject. But once I started..it just kept going and going. While on this subject, this blog will be changing along with me as I walk through these next few rough months. I would like to use this blog as a way to update friends, family, and others about where I am at with the surgery, recovery, and so forth. Kinda like a blogumentary of my experiences. I don't know what that will look like but we will just roll with it as it goes. This is the beginning of my journey to a hopeful future! eeeee! I would appreciate your prayers for my family and myself as we go through this tough but exciting journey. Until next time...

Here is a video done by my surgeon at MUSC on the total pancreatectomy and islet cell transplant surgery. The surgeon in the video is the surgeon that will be doing my surgery. The video is really informative but don't worry its not gory or anything. :) Please watch!

rollercoaster

Hello all,
   So its been awhile...huh? The last few months have been crazy, sweet, busy, depressing, exciting, stressful, wonderful, sad, absolutely awesome and every other descriptor I could ever come up with. Its been a stinking roller coaster. That whole "life is a roller coaster" metaphor usually gets on my nerves because it is so painfully cliche. However, that is the epitome of my life lately. Its been a compilation of beautiful moments, wonderful experiences, extreme low points..and flat out, snoozefests. So to kind of catch you up on the life of me, I would like you to hop on my metaphoric life rollercoaster for a moment. I figured it would be best to tell my little tale in pictures and short (and hopefully not boring) summaries. Then you can feel like you were THERE with me. Awesome, I know.

So....Where to begin? Lets begin with L-O-V-E, love. Yes peeps, I fell in the big L-word. Its pretty neat. Not that relationships are all butterflies and fairies.....but they are still quite beautiful and unpredictable. Brief intro to this strapping young fellar I call boyfriend: His name is Ben. He is a boy. He has hair. He is a musician and likes to play instruments and sing. He is quite good at it actually (which is interestingly funny because I am very "musically un-inclined"). And he loves me too. So its cool. Introducing Ben. Drumroll please.....

He's so attractive right???? bahhahaaha.

Being Silly.

Our "senior picture"

And finally a serious photo. We obviously don't have many of these types of pictures.

Ok so now you have the low down on my "love life". Next on the list of totally exciting recent happenings of Dana Whitfield: the birth of the most incredible gift, my niece Harper Elizabeth Whitfield! She was born on August 5, 2010 at 3:15am.
Sweet Harper, if one day you read this, I hope you know that I love you more than I could ever have imagined. You are so precious to me and I feel incredibly grateful to be able to call you my niece. How lucky am I?! I want your life to be a series of fascinating events and disney movie-like experiences. Basically, I want you to have anything and everything you dream of. Always have faith in yourself and most of all, have faith in our God. He is the ultimate provider and loves you with an unfathomable, powerful love. Keep that in mind, girlfriend.

Now, prepare yourself blog peeps, I am about to overload you with cuteness. Prepare to Ooooh and Ahhhhh appropriately, please.

It was love at first sight!

And again!

She is of course a Georgia fan! Gooooooooo Dawgs!!

Look at those Daisy Dukes! ow ow!

I love her. 

Ok, so I am obviously obsessed with my niece. What else has been happening you ask? I started graduate school to complete this not-so-easy journey to acquire a "big girl job". It has been a interesting experience so far, to say the least. I won't bore you with pictures of me studying or working on therapy plans or anything of the like. Its just as you might imagine....I go to class, I see some clients here and there, I work on therapy plans, I make copious amounts of note cards and the cycle starts over. Its not exactly what I would call a party. BUT God has been good to me. I make it through the tough days and have been moderately successful because of His strength and His grace. Shout out to my main man upstairs!

God has also been incredibly gracious in keeping me somewhat healthy. I have been hospitalized a few times since I last posted (cue the scary, I feel like crying or screaming or both portion of the rollercoaster). But its all worked out and I remain positive for the future. 

Side Note: I really appreciate everyone's love, prayers, support and encouragement over these past few months. I am genuinely in awe of the amount of people in my life that consistently pray for me and are constantly offering encouragement and help. I am truly grateful. 

A lot has happened to me in these past months...good and bad. I try to thank God for all of it. Sometimes this life is a huge bummer but it is nonetheless an incredible gift. The tough days have taught me that good days are to be celebrated. Today is a good day! 

P.S.  I swear I will be better about updating. 

P.S.S. Go Dawgs!!! (Even though you lost. sigh.)

happiness, blessings, and just general awesomness

I think it is important to constantly remind myself of the blessings in my life. I know that sometimes it is hard to focus on the good. Believe me, sometimes all I want to do is pout in a corner and tell God how horrible I think things are on planet Earth. Sometimes I am sad, sometimes I am sick, sometimes I am heartbroken, sometimes I feel inadequate, sometimes I feel lonely, sometimes I feel unloved, and sometimes I feel just plain ANGRY for no reason or the biggest of reasons. However, we were never promised a perfect existence here on Earth. This is a fallen world. We tend to forget that and wonder why, if we believe in God (or don't), our lives aren't magically blissful, awesome, and problem free. I mean I am not trying to be a negative nancy. OF COURSE there are wonderful moments. This life can be so beautiful if you focus on the beauty. Thats my point really. Focus on the beauty. Focus on the Lord and you will be surprised how much your perspective will change. Even on the darkest of days.

Anywhoozer, all that to say...here is my list of happiness, blessing, and awesomeness in my life.
1. I have wonderful family. wonderful. Really, I could thank God for my family, every minute of my life and still never thank him enough. I am not just saying this because my family reads my blog or I want a present (barnes and noble giftcards are always accepted). Although that would be cool. God really has freely given me the most supportive, outwardly loving, patient, and super fun family. Thanks God.

2. I have wonderful friends. All types of friends. Thats the greatest part. All of my friends are so different and I have such a unique relationship with each of them. I love them all so much. so much.

3. I am going to be an aunt this year. If you know me, you know how much I adore babies and children. I have been secretly hoping I would be an aunt for 3 years now. I literally cried when they told me. I am so excited and I know Lauren and Josh will be awesome parents. This baby will be loved completely.

4. Access to education. I am blessed by the opportunity to learn at a higher level. I know I have been in school awhile and I will be for a little longer (sorry daddy-o) I try to remain grateful for the opportunity. Even though I wish I were done, I have to know what a gift it is. There are many that never have the opportunity.

5. My puppy! He really is precious. I am not an obsessive animal person or anything but I am obsessed with him. He is awesome. I'll prove it to you. Come over and I will show you how snuggly, loving, and well behaved he is. :)

6. My car! I love the stang. We have been together now for 7 years. I love the way she smells.

7.  Books. I love books. I want to write a book.

8. Candy. I love candy so, so, so much. Too bad I am a diabetic.

9. Wendy's twisted frosty (with chocolate chip cookie dough). Oh. My. Goodness. So good. So good.

10. I am grateful for my jobs. I work with children every day, whether I am at Sound Start, school, nannying, or kids city (lateChurch children's program -its volunteer, not work actually). I learn a lot from them. Sometimes they drive me nuts but they keep my life interesting.

11. I am grateful for music. Music has a way of helping me deal and cope. Music helps me to express the way I feel about people, love, situations and just life. Whether its sad or happy. I love to dance too. I am horrible at it but I love it. I also like singing but I am horrible at that too.

12. Panera bread. I am here now so I feel like I owe them a shout out.

13. I know this is weird, but I am grateful for my health issues. My disease has built my character, my strength, and my hope. I have met many people because of my illness also. Without my illness, I simply would not be the woman I am today.

14. I am grateful for people that are nerdy, weird, unique, funny, or posess other unique qualities. It is really refreshing to be around people that are okay with who they are, even if they are "different". 

Of course, I am grateful for my relationship with the Lord. I feel like on this blog, that goes without saying. However, I still want to give my main man upstairs a shout out. He is the source of all of this awesomeness. Without him, I simply would not be. What are you grateful for?