Hey y’all,

Its been quite the past month, let alone since May 4th. …the day I learned I had c.diff again. In case you missed last week, I tested negative for C.Diff while inpatient for five days. But my immune suppressant, Myfortic, prevented my body from allowing my gut to heal, so the abdominal pain is still there so its been a really difficult week being back home, with even an ER visit thrown in there, for symptom control. To give you an idea of the level of pain, it took 5 doses of IV pain meds to get the pain to subside, before we could go home. But we continue to choose hope that this will heal and pray the doctors were right.

So, on facebook, I mentioned an option to order a new tshirt or tote bag hand created by me as a fundraiser for my ongoing medical costs. It got a little confusing and some people missed the original design in 2020, so I now have a couple options. Stay with me..

Option 1: Royal Blue T-shirt or Tote, with Hope wins personally made by me. Can be paid for via paypal/venmo or check. Order by September 1. The design is similar to the original version created exclusively for us Grasson Girls (pictured below). They are $15 each.

Please drop below the t-shirt info, if not interested to see the other piece of this post. Options #1 is:

• Royal Blue Tshirt with White/Gold Lettering
• Royal Blue Tshirt with Black/Gold Lettering
• Royal Blue Tote with White/Gold Lettering
• Royal Blue Tote with Black/Gold Lettering

Order Form available here and then I will be in contact about payment.

Option 1: Royal Blue T-shirt or Tote, with Hope wins personally made by me.

Option 2: A new updated design for 2022, available through custom Ink.

Custom Ink Royal Blue Items for purchase and you pay directly through Paypal. It runs for two weeks and then it will be shipped to you directly. If you purchased the original version in 2020, these are a different brand and a softer material, but sizing should be the same. The prices are a little higher than 2020 (thanks ‘rona & supply chain issues), but I tried to pick the best quality items at a good price point.

Please note there is no hashtag on the back of this design. I felt like the image spoke to my donor whose gift keeps on giving hope through my new heart. Options are as follows:

• Royal Blue unisex short sleeve T-shirt
• Royal Blue unisex long sleeve t-shirt
• Royal Blue unisex crew neck sweatshirt
• Royal Blue unisex hoodie sweatshirt.

Order form available via this link

PART 2: The Maryland and DC Heart Walk

If you are facebook friends with mom, you know that she has been fundraising for the DC Heart Walk. I am so proud of her being a Team Coach this year for the November 5th event. I know so many of you have already donated to our team, so thank you so much. Our plan is to attend the event, assuming all my organs cooperate and none of them are cranky that week and I feel good. Join our team! Get the chance to see us in the wild after almost 2.5 years stuck at home. 🙂

Visit this page for the DC walk.

I am also planning on walking with my Cardiologist, on his team on October 8th at the Maryland Heart Walk, if anyone would like to join us, come on down to Baltimore. I feel strongly about supporting the Hopkins team this year as they continue to be amazing advocates and physicians for me.

So I have an ask, that you would kindly contribute $5 to the walk. Thats skipping your starbucks drink one day. Imagine what you will be helping do…furthering stroke and heart disease research and grants. These directly impact my care, so I would be so appreciative.

Visit this page for the Maryland Heart Walk.

Either way, please know that you help us continue to build/have hope through the ways you each touch our lives, so these shirts or walk are a way to start off the celebration of the 6 weeks leading to my second Heart Anniversary on 9/22. The first 6 months post transplant are the scariest and most critical, the first year is truly a celebration of everything you’ve been through. 18 months is realizing that this life is your new normal. Year 2 sentiments appear to be “da*n, Ive been through some sh*t, but hope continues to win. Couldn’t possible do it without all your prayers love and support.

Love, K

#BecauseofJesusandaDonor #hopewins