As I’m looking at what I have on the calendar for the remainder of the year, I am astounded by what lays ahead. Though my first ILD Clinic (Interstitial Lung Disease) is not until December 23, my Pulmonologist has already ordered 4 tests that will help gauge the progress of my disease and be a strong indicator in the viability of a lung transplant. Because of the severity of my diagnosis, insurance has approved the procedures and when I scheduled them all I was flabbergasted to land tests and scans all within 2024. A blessing that the holiday break for most people allows me a fast track to getting all of this preemptive testing done at an unheard of speed.

Since the weather took a cold turn, I’ve been spending most of my time hibernating by my electric fireplace, but I know that I’ll be getting my steps/miles in with the appointments you see in the graphic above all scheduled between December 18 and December 31. As I am working hard to embrace the Holiday spirit (I got my first Christmas tree since 2015) I felt that doing my own holiday tune about the coming pokes and probes seemed apropos. Do NOT say that three times fast. (You DID, Didn’t you? Fess up)

The highlight of the years’ end of course will be the many visits to friends and family that I have lined up from Central PA to South Jersey- with hopefully some Delaware thrown in. I’m already working with friends to schedule meet-ups, formal events, casual gatherings, and kick back affairs in the New Year. I have always loved the anticipation. Anticipation of almost anything can be exciting with the right frame of reference. Looking forward to a parade of faces I haven’t seen in a decade or more sounds like heaven to me. The ultimate Christmas gift.

I will be sure to keep everyone updated as I check these procedures and tests off, maybe even with a few musical bars for old time’s sake. And as always, if the holiday spirit so moves you, I would endlessly appreciate any donations to my GoFundMe which is helping to pay for the medical supplies, prescriptions, gas and tolls of being chronically ill- with the goal of having enough leftover to take some BUCKET LIST level trips.

Cheers to going out with a BANG!