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4 Comments

  1. Sandra Birrell
    November 27, 2013 @ 6:32 am

    Jill,

    I just logged back into Twitter for the first time in ages only to find these beginning few entries in your blog. Thank you for proving my under-the-covers cell phone use to be worthwhile!

    I know where your heart is, Jill. It’s right here in this blog. It may not be the world’s best pump, but it is laying it out for all to see so it can help you reach others. Like me.

    I cannot register to be a donor. The gods that make the rules say organs from people with multiple sclerosis are diseased. Even though they don’t know what causes MS and my organs are indistinguishable from donor-friendly organs. I don’t know, but if someone needs an organ transplant and the fastest one available was an organ from someone with MS, it might be worth a heretofore unknown risk to just take it. After all, my organs are doing just fine *despite* me having a chronic illness. Who knows, they could be BETTER organs because of my MS! The gods won’t even let me donate blood!

    But I can — and will — take this message from your heart and spread it in my corner of the world.

    From my heart to yours,
    Sandra xo

    • Jillianne
      December 3, 2013 @ 1:30 pm

      Sandra,
      Thank you for your thoughts. They mean more to me that I think you know.
      Since I met you right after I was first diagnosed (for those of whom are reading this was in our PhD program) and I must say that it was you who helped inspire me to keep going. You were always open and honest about your condition and how you were feeling. All while having the drive and perseverance to move ahead with your studies. This had a tremendous impact on me – especially when I was down. I would just think “Look at Sandra, she struggles too but she is strong, and amazing. I can do this.”
      I don’t know about all of the organ donation rules but am VERY glad that despite MS you are doing well. Me too! Despite my heartfailure I am otherwise healthy! ;0)
      xoxox
      J

  2. Valerie Irvine
    December 3, 2013 @ 9:24 am

    I think I killed off that strawberry plant, didn’t I? Oops!

    The big raised garden bed in my backyard is all yours to plan and play with. I’m glad you’re enjoying gardening. Life is about the little things. Remember to prioritize taking in pleasure. A lesson we could all do better on.

    • Jillianne
      December 3, 2013 @ 1:31 pm

      LOL. I fixed the one you killed 😉 This one I managed on my own. Hahaha…