1,2,3 Pull, I'm Getting Better

I've been going to water aerobics for the past seven weeks now, and I really enjoy the class. Tiffany, our instructor is young, fit, has a great shape and is a lot of fun. I try to go early and work a little on my own, either in the pool or on some of the equipment in the PT Department. When I started seven weeks ago just for fun I wanted to see if I could do a pull up using the bar. That night I was only able to do 10 pull-up's before my arms felt like rubber bands. However, tonight I am up to fifty and plan on adding five each time I go, until I am able to do hundred each class. I'm not sure if all this will help my Lunch Lady arms, but I am up to the challenge. After all I might be glad once I start up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Training Torture

I wouldn't really call training torture, as I have really begun to love the way all this exercise makes me feel. However, I have come to the conclussion there is a difference in the way the mind feels and the way the body feel, especially at the age of 54. There are days my mind is raring to go, and my body is say are you nuts. In my training schedule have tried to add several different aspects of torture. Three days a week I run/walk for 4-7 miles, one day a week I hike up and down the sand hill for 2 hours. Then it's water aerobics two days a week for 1 1/2 hours, and one day a week WE (me and a partner, who ever feels up to it), hike a mountain in the valley. The hiking is fun, but tiring, as it usually encompasses 5-6 hours of noodlely legs. When someone at works asks me why I have lost weight? I tell them what exercise I am doing and they question my sanity. Maybe I have lost it, but it sure makes me feel good. I guess this lesson in life has taught me that age is all relevant. As I will continue to lace up my shoes to hit the pavement, the water, or a mountain. After all how does one run a mile, one stride at a time, how does one climb a mountain, one step at a time!

My Bucket List

In the past five years I have thought a lot about the things I would like to see or do before I "Kick the Bucket." However, I never really thought of writing it down and putting an honest effort towards my list, until we saw the movie "The Bucket List." In the last few months it is very important for me to check each item off my list. As one day I don't want to say to myself, "if only I'd have taken the time, or I wish I had." My "Bucket List" really goes in no order, I'll just check them off as I get to them.

Bucket List

1. See the Green Bay Packers play at Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, giving a loud cheer for the GREAT Bart Starr.
2. Go the the Kentucky Derby, for the Run for the Roses.
3. Stand in honor at the bottom the Statue of Liberty.
4. Do humanitarian medical mission to Africa. ***Fulfilled mission to Africa with AILC February 2009.
5. Walk/Run a 5K for a good cause. ***HOORAY I did it! May 11 2008 I ran and finished the Race for a Cure 5K for Breast Cancer. I joined the band wagon with Kellie and Jeannie in honor of Judy Taylor, Lari Downs, Jane Jex and countless others. It was so inspiring and I finished the race in 42:10 not bad for an "old lady"
6. Catch a Blue Marlin off the coast of California.
7. Fly with a Medical Helicopter service *** After giving up my dream of flying with a Medi-Vac unit during the Vietnam War, I was able to fly with Air-Med three different times, it was totally AWESOME!
8. Restore an old car preferably a 1955-56 Mustang
9. Continue to live my life, so as when my name is mentioned people think of kindness, compassion, integrity, fun loving, hard working, and creative.
10. Visit all 50 states as adult *** Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, California, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, Missouri, Washington D.C. Alaska, (15 down, 35 to go)
11. Attend the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.
12. Inspire someone to go beyond what they ever thought they possibly could. *** Hopefully, I inspired someone out there, after I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro!!!
13. Honor my heritage by passing it on to future generations*** ( My scrapbooks have been done on my maternal side, a book on my Mom's life, I am starting my fraternal side soon.)
14. Make it known to everyone I meet, that my deepest love, my best friends, and my greatest contribution to the world have always been and will always be my children.

15. Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, after all it's only a mountain. ***YES, YES, YES!!!! I did it January 28, 2009. Yes, it is only a mountain, but one hell of a long hard hike!!!

16. Go Parachuting on my 60th B.-Day.

17. See Disney World through the eyes of children, my grandchildren.

18. Make a profound difference in someones life. *** Several years ago I was able to arrange to have a Hispanic child's "Crossed Eyes" surgically repaired. The surgery was done free of charge to the parents thanks several who happyly accepted my request and choose to get involved. The surgery and all the efforts including my own were broadcast on Channel 2 with myself and Dr. Linton speaking. Six weeks after the surgery, Edwardo Garica could see things he had never been able to focus on before. His overall health improved greatly and today Edwardo Garcia is a 13 year old, doing very well and has perfect 20/20 vision and loves to read.

19. Tour Europe, seeing Switzerland, Greenland, England and more!

20. Take a photography class.. Something I have always been interested in.

*** (done or somewhat complete)

Great News

In the past three years I have had my blood drawn each month to track how my Auto Immune Hepatitis is doing. I have pretty much gotten use to elevated levels, and don't pay to much attention to the results. My philosophy is what will be, will be.... and just live life to the fullest. However, on the 22 of March I got GREAT NEWS, all levels were completely normal! This is something I haven't seen in three years. Why, even my liver enzymes were in the low-normal range. The Hepatitis Panel still shows the Auto Immune, but at much less than in the past three years. Hooray, it is still in remission. SOOOOO.....that means I am going to keep training and giving the 5K in May and Africa in October all I have. The best part is I have the support of all my family, as everyone seems as excited as I am, or maybe they are just pacifying me. Either way I am thrilled everyone is supporting me in this life changing journey.

My Mentor

After all these years of wanting to do a humanitarian mission of some sort, but not knowing where to begin, it was Karen Boothe, an EMT at MV Hospital, who pointed me in the right direction. Karen, who has been to Africa on four missions has been so helpful and sort of a mentor for me. Karen who was born in Australia, went to boarding school in New Zealand and college in Hawaii has seen the world on many occasions. Karen, has also done several "Iron Man" competitions, need less to say she is in great shape. She is also sharing a huge amount of knowledge with me about the mission plus, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, which she has done twice. With her advice in preparing I, and a partner most often Buck, and last weekend Tiff, are climbing a mountain around Goshen once a week. I can now go like hell up the mountain, but I walk like an old lady coming down. Buck keeps telling me I can't just hike to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro and then call him to come get me down, so I'll keep at it. Hiking is something I have found a new love for and I really enjoy it, although I not sure if my poor partners love it.

HOORAY

Just a few days ago I received a phone call from Sana, one of the directors of Africa Is Life Changing, I am the first team member chosen for the October 2008 expedition to Africa. It is not yet known, however, if we will go to Kenya or Tanzania. I am thrilled and honored to chosen and will continue to walk, hike, and run to get in the best shape I can be this upcoming for trip. It's hard to believe, me, Lauri Wall a nurse at MVH headed for Africa. YE-HAW, YE-HAW!!!!

The Application

Africa is Life Changing is the non-profit organization that I am hoping to be accepted as a team member for a mission in October of 2008. The organization is a team of 15-30 women of all ages and education and professions. The team goes to Kenya to aid women and children with HIV and other health issues. When I was first told of the organization, by co-worker Karen Boothe, I knew I would fit in with the groups thinking and mission statement. I promptly, with the help of my personal writer ( Tiffany) sent my application in. Along with some personal information this is what we wrote.

The skills, talents, and hobbies that encompass my life are, thirty-four years nursing experience in many different aspects of nursing. Currently and for the past eighteen years an ER nurse. I am ACLS, PALS, and BLS Certified, as well as CCRN Level 2. Have taken classes to be a Certified Diabetic Instructor. I am an excellent seamstress, novice quilter, crocheter and needle worker. Avid scrap-booker, as well as a novice genealogist. I especially love to shop, (til I drop with my daughter.) Have "Grandma Days" with my Lil' Buddy, and go 4-wheeling with my son. I enjoy gardening, hiking, camping, fishing, and spending time with family. I love kids, the elderly and am very much a people person.

The reason I want to go to Africa: As a little girl, I dreamed of being a nurse I was amazed at every aspect of the profession--from the stark white uniforms and crisp caps, to the prospect of "healing the unhealable." As I grew older, my fascination with nurses and my desire to be one didn't wane. And, after a lot of hard work and dedication, my dreams of becoming a nurse were a reality. That was thirty-four years ago. Thirty-four years ago, I promised to do everything I could to help those who were sick, listen to family members who were concerned, and devote my professional life to helping others. And, while I quickly learned sometimes there is no such thing as "healing the unhealable," I also learned I found great satisfaction in caring for and about others. Over the past thirty-four years I have learned so much. But, through it all, probably the most important lesson I have learned is there are two types of caring--caring for the human body, and caring for the human spirit. I have a passion for and am committed to both.

Going on a humanitarian expedition is something I have always dreamed of doing. I truly want to make a difference in the lives of others and I know that being a member of your elite team is something that will be life changing. I want to experience it all, from helping with illnesses, to teaching young mothers, assisting women of all ages, to help build or repair homes and schools. Every aspect of this journey is something I want to be a part of.

I encourage you to accept me into your volunteer organization. My talents are broad and my desire to be part of your you mission is strong. I am not afraid of hard work, and I certainly don't complain when there is hard work to be done. Your organization will not be sorry if you should chose me as a member of your team. I know that if given this opportunity, I will give 100% of myself to this mission and it's goals. Even better, I know that if I am chose, I will cherish this opportunity forever.