Out with a Bang!

When each patient leaves to go home, I’ve always thought they should have a celebration in their honor. Well, Target House had plan to celebrate its 10th anniversary back in May, but due to the Swine Flu just developing, they delayed the party till September. On Thursday, I saw my transplant doctor(who gave the official ok to going home) 1 hour before the party started! So, I took the party partially in my honor :) The first day they had the anniversary party at St. Jude Hospital with the theme as a “Mexican Fiesta” and fiesta it was..food, mariachi band, dancers, piñatas, poncho decorating, maracas, etc. It was amazing. In the center, was a half pike where Tony Hawk's sister, along with others did stunts on bikes/skateboards.

On Friday, they had a party just for Target House residents. The theme was a “Carnival" Everything was set up to look like a carnival. It poured rain both days, but stopped in time for the parties to start. We were glad because they had worked all week setting things up. They even brought a carousel, the Target bulls eye dog, Barnum and bailey circus, The Beale Street Flippers (from America's Got Talent) and Blake Lewis(from American Idol) was there to perform on the stage that looked like a cake. Each activity area at the Target House is donated by a celebrity. They have the Amy Grant Music Room, the Shaun White Game room, Scott Hamilton excersize room etc. So, I met Amy Grant, Shaun White, Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s (star of According to Jim and wife of Brad Paisley, Brad was had concert that day). Unfortunately, Scott Hamilton was sick. It was a fun way to leave the Target House. Though I’m sad not to be seeing the friend’s I’ve made there(but I'll visit them during my monthly check ups). Between the partying and the packing we were exhausted by the time we got home. I have to say that nothing is better than home. Ahh, I love it…It’s amazing the beauty that surrounds my home inside and out. To anyone who’s never been to the south, you have to visit the eastern side of TN up towards the Smokey Mtn. So, needless to say, I think I’m going to be quite content being here in my own "bubble" for a couple months. Speaking of “bubble”, I finally have some B and T cells producing in my bone marrow! It's taken since May 29th to get the tiny bit, but atleast it's here now. Once they get to a certain level, I can be free! But, it will take several months to get to that point...like after Christmas. So until then, I’ll be hanging out here, keeping

myself busy.