A view from the window seat...

Survived another Southwest airlines trip to North Carolina last week.  It was the first time I've flown without a direct connection.  So because we waited too long to buy non-stop tickets, I can now say I've been to Chicago--if only the Midway airport.  Unfortunately, it was overcast and misty so my view wasn't the greatest but I saw the Chicago skyline from my over-priced window seat. It looked amazing.

What my concentrator looks like.

Oh window seats.  I have a love/hate relationship with you.  I love being able to look out the window and see the farms--especially with their center-pivot circles, the highways, rivers, mountains, clouds, etc.  To get such a different perspective is refreshing.  But I hate being told I "have" to sit there.  Customers lucky enough to take POC's (portable oxygen concentrators) on the plane are asked to sit in the window seat for safety.   I guess if we were to crash, my hand-pulled machine along with its air-sucking owner won't jam up the escape route of those who can race out of a burning aircraft.

Since I have to maneuver/tuck/stuff it under my front seat, it not only takes up all my leg room but also makes a quick bathroom run completely impossible. So of course, guess who began to feel those unmistakable urges shortly after liftoff.  The complimentary in-flight beverage only added fuel to the madness.  By the time my 3 1/2 hour flight landed, I had goosebumps I had to go so bad.  I know, too much information, but I was seriously wondering if the air traffic tower would receive an emergency distress call from my pilot informing them that a passenger trapped in the window seat had exploded.  Yes, it was that bad.

Heard back from my transplant coordinator on Tuesday.  The team still believes I am too early to relocate--just what the doc and I discussed.  I was able to delay my next trip for four months to save some money and to minimize my exposure to circulating germs in the plane.  I will need to stay in contact with them should I need to be seen earlier, however.

Met my good friend, Cheryl, in the clinic hallway.  She is 1 year
post transplant and doing fabulous!  Cheryl was on hospice
and decided to pursue a transplant.   She is my miracle.

This trip we stayed an extra day so we could drive to Virginia and visit Christina.  We got to see her new apartment and meet Sandy's parents.  They were great people and we enjoyed getting to know them. Christina took us on a tour of her base and was I ever impressed.  She works on the helicopters (or "birds" in Navy speak) in a large hangar which opens out to the ocean.  I am in awe of what she does and how she does it.  Way to go sister!!

Outside of Christina's squadron hangar
on the Norfolk Naval Base.

This is one of the helicopters that Christina works on. 

Christina and Sandy in front of her squadron's "show bird." 

Standing on the middle deck of the USS Bataan Aircraft Carrier with
the USS George H.W. Bush carrier in the background.  These ships
are huge!!  Walked up steep ramps to each deck level.  Sandy
will deploy on this vessel in the coming weeks.