Kim Jacques 33, Female Tallahassee, FL United States: Like

0 members like this; Share on Facebook

Share Twitter

Blog Posts (14)
Discussions (132)
Events
Groups (37)
Photos (64)
Photo Albums
Videos (3)

Kim Jacques's Friends

View All

Kim Jacques's Groups

Inspirational Stories

43 members
240 Comments 0 Likes
Holdols Transplant Wear …

100 members
17 Comments 15 Likes

Chat Time!

127 members
115 Comments 6 Likes
TRIO Youth Circle

22 members
1 Comment 0 Likes

Transplant Swim

7 members
3 Comments 0 Likes

View All

Kim Jacques's Discussions

WTG~Sweden, 2011

Started this discussion. Last reply by Stephanie Whitmore Jan 12, 2011. 1 Reply 0 Likes

MEGHANN GOT THE CALL FOR HER TRANSPLANT...

Started this discussion. Last reply by Kim Jacques Jul 1, 2009. 4 Replies 0 Likes

View All

Gifts Received (6)

Red Ribbon From Arleen Dodson Red Ribbon From Tara Maynard Red Ribbon From Tara Maynard Red Ribbon From Irene Jimmy

Kim Jacques's Page

Latest Activity

Linda Hunter liked Kim Jacques's discussion You know you're a lung transplant patient when.....

Jan 6, 2012

Kim Jacques replied to Holly Werlein (Holdol)'s discussion Holdol's Ultimate Recipe Contest in the group Holdol's TC Kitchen

"sweeeeeet :-)"

Mar 12, 2011

Kim Jacques replied to Holly Werlein (Holdol)'s discussion Holdol's Ultimate Recipe Contest in the group Holdol's TC Kitchen

"Does it have to be a recipe you've created yourself or can it be from a cookbook you know of?"

Mar 9, 2011

Stephanie Whitmore replied to Kim Jacques's discussion WTG~Sweden, 2011

"Hi Kim, the cost is on this website. http://www.wtg2011.com/ I believe you pay the same as a participant which is about $1250 for room, board, and food and another $1250 to fly if you are coming from USA. Hope to see you…"

Jan 12, 2011

Kim Jacques posted a blog post

My personal blog!

Hi all! On 1/1/11 I started a personal blog where I write about transplant-related topics! Pop in, comment, and "follow" me! My Blog!See More

Jan 12, 2011

0 Comments 0 Likes

Sue R. left a comment for Kim Jacques

"Wishing you all the best on your birthday. May it be filled with much laghter,smiles, hugs and joy."

Jan 2, 2011

Kim Jacques received a gift from Arleen Dodson

Red Ribbon

From the Gift Store

Dec 21, 2010

Arleen Dodson and Kim Jacques are now friends

Dec 21, 2010

Profile Information

Please Select Your Transplant - Or Tell Us How Else You Were Touched by Transplantation:: Heart, Double Lung

Recipients: In This Space, Feel Free To Write About Those You Are Grateful to for Receiving The Gift Of Life:: My un-known donor, donor family, my friends and family for their support, God, the awesome transplant team at SLCH....yep, that sums it up. :-)

Recipient: What Type of Donor Did You Receive your Gift of Life From?: Deceased Donor

Which Transplant Medication(s) Do You Take?: Prograf, Prednisone, Rapamune, Septra, and a crapload of other stuff.

What Do You Do For a Living? What Are Your Passions, Hobbies, Passtimes, Dreams and Goals for the Future?: I work for the state government in the Bureau of Accounting.

About Me: Please use this space to tell the community about you and your unique experience with transplantation:: Thirteen years ago I received a heart/double lung transplant. Yup, a new pumper and a set of new blowers. Why did I need my chest cavity cut open?

I was born 29 years ago and was a lot earlier then planned. Because of this, I ended up with a lot of health complications but mainly in my heart and lungs region. While it was obvious that my lungs were underdeveloped it didn't even occur to my doctors for a couple of years that there might be something wrong with my heart. Remember: this is early 1980s thinking.

When I was two and a half years old my doctors thought I'd be doing somewhat better since I was still on oxygen. After doing a cardiac catheterization on me it was discovered that I had holes in my heart--holes that were unrepairable. I was diagnosed with Eisenmenger's Syndrome and PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension). Once that was discovered my doctors "tip-toed" around this new kind of surgery, an operation that might be able to fix or even "replace" these organs of mine that were in bad shape. An operation called a transplant.

When I was almost five years old my parents decided to move the 4 of us (I now had a baby sister who was born HEALTHY) from Boston, Massachusetts to Tampa, Florida to see if the warmer climate might help me. It worked. I ended up having a normal childhood. You might be reading this thinking "yeah right" but it's true.

I grew up in a great neighborhood with lots of kids my age. I could go down the street, across the street or even a block or two and my parents didn't have to worry about me. All my mom would say was "call me when they're [my friends parents] getting sick and tired of you so I can come and pick you up" LOL! I was an average/above average student in school. I got into a fair amount of mischief. I was active in Girl Scouts and in my church. I remember family road-trips up to Boston during the summer. I was part of the last generation of kids who grew up watching family-oriented sitcoms and Saturday morning cartoons. It's been over twenty years since I first moved to Tampa and I'm still friends with a lot of the people I grew up with!

In June of 1994, I went to my cardiologist for my yearly check-up. It was the first day of summer vacation and I was antsy just to go in, get checked and go on with my summer. Fate had other plans. My usual doctor wasn't available so we had a fill-in. The doctor took one look at the results of my echo cardiogram and said the words that would (in my young eyes) alter the course of my life: "I've just gone the results of Kim's echo we need to get moving with the transplant." TRANS-WHAT?!

Growing up my parents didn't know how to tell me the truth about my health (who could?) but they NEVER expected me to find out in such a blunt way. My dad was in the room with me so I was hoping he'd tell me that this was a joke or something. Unfortunately, the look on his face said it all: "I'm sorry, Kim, but I didn't want you to find out this way." To add insult to injury, the doctor MUST'VE caught the expression on my face and instead of taking a more sensitive route in telling us about transplant centers he just kept right on going.

In December of 1994 my family and I (which now consisted of a second sister who was also a preemie but was spared of health complications) went up to St. Louis, Missouri for an evaluation at their transplant center: St. Louis Children's Hospital. At first, the doctors thought that they could do some repair on my heart and just give me lungs. After a week's worth of tests (including a whole day for my parents and I with a psychologist) it was deemed that I would need a heart and a new lung (only listed for 1 because of my scoliosis). Since I was the first patient they'd ever had with Eisenmenger's Syndrome I became their "guinea pig" (so to speak). After that first visit they said, "come back in 6 months"...June of 1995 "come back in 6 months"....December of 1995 "we need to speed things up a bit."

The five of us moved to St. Louis in April of 1996 to wait for the call to arrive. Almost exactly two months later, in the late hours of Thursday, June 13th, it happened. Luckily, the first call was the real thing and not a false alarm. Since my donor was so much younger than me, I was able to get her heart and both lungs. Amazingly enough, the operation and early recovery period went very smoothly. So smooth that it scared my doctors!

From March of 2006-February of 2007 I experienced my first EVER bout of rejection--in my lungs. An experience I hope (and pray) that I NEVER have to go through again.

Has my transplant experience been perfect? Nope. But is my life better because of it? HELL YEAH! I have been able to graduate high school and college (albeit, an AS degree but still). I have had the pleasure (or dis-pleasure haha) of watching my baby sister grow up and graduate high school (in 2006). My now 11 and 10 year old cousins would've heard stories about their 'late cousin Kimmie.' Instead, I get to hang out with them. I've been able to compete in the U.S. Transplant Games. At the 2006 Games in Louisvlle, Kentucky, (yes, when I was still in rejection) I somehow won a bronze medal--GO ME! At the 2008 Games in Pittsburgh, I won a silver medal in the same event that I won a bronze in--the 1500m race walk. Not only that, but I beat my previous record by 4 minutes and 11 seconds. I hope to be able to attend and compete in the 2010 games in Madison, Wisconsin.

I am so grateful that my still un-known donor family said YES in their moment of tragedy and I'm honored that I've been able to give these heart and lungs such a good home. :-)

Please Help Us Reach Other Members by Telling Us How You Found Transplant Cafe:: internet; a friend

What Is Your Relationship Status?: Single

Entertainment: What is Your Favorite Type of Music, Bands, Movies, Art, Books, etc.?: Music:
Rascal Flatts, Billy Gilman, Faith Hill, Christina Aguilera, Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Pat Benatar, Alan Jackson, The Osmond Brothers, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, Osmonds 2nd Generation, David Osmond, Jared Osmond, Tracy Chapman, Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Selena, Fergie, Hanson, Elton John, Carrie Underwood, Donna Summer, RENT soundtrack, Moulin Rouge! soundtrack, Disney Movies soundtrack (Oliver & Company-The Lion King...with some Mulan and Tarzan thrown in), Wicked soundtrack, Hairspray movie soundtrack (do you see a trend here?), and downloading music from my favorite childhood tv shows Kids Incorporated and MMC, 80s and 90s pop, contemporary Christian, love songs, Etc.

Movies:
RENT, Moulin Rouge!, The Sound of Music, Take The Lead, Mad Hot Ballroom, Dirty Dancing, Real Women Have Curves, 3 Ninjas, The Breakfast Club, Beaches, Steel Magnolias, Uncle Buck, Saved, Europa Europa, Chaplin, Y Tu Mama Tambien, The Goonies, Mr. Holland's Opus, Harry Potter series, Cinderella, Oliver & Company, The Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Mulan, Blue Collar Comedy Tour series, Grease (1 and 2), E.T., Flight of the Navigator, Clueless, Love Actually, American Pie (1, 2, and Wedding), Father of the Bride (1 and 2), Selena, A League of Their Own, The Notebook, Apollo 13, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, 10 Things I Hate About You, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Shrek (1 & 2...didn't like 3rd), Hairspray, The Joy Luck CLub, Mannequin (1 and 2), High School Musical (1 & 2....oh hush), Titanic, The Incredibles, Cars, Splash, My Girl (1 & 2), It's A Wonderful Life, Saved, The Santa Clause, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas

TV:
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Ugly Betty, Inside the Actor's Studio, Diners Drive-Ins and Dives, Everwood, Kids Incorporated, The All-New Mickey Mouse Club (aka: MMC), Boy Meets World, The Wonder Years, American Idol, Full House, Road to Avonlea, Family Ties, Home Improvement, Famly Matters, Step by Step, JEM & the Holigrams, The Wuzzles, Alvin & the Chipmunks (my favorite was Jeanette), Gummi Bears, Good Morning Mickey, Donald Duck Presents, and many other shows from my childhood

Books:
Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps (Lara Rios), Harry Potter series, Carly Phillips books, Gail Tsukiyama books, Me and My Shadows (Lorna Luft), Marcia Evanick's Misty Harbor books, Danielle Steel books, Jane Austen novels, Summer Sisters (Judy Blume), The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom), Marley & Me (John Grogan), Where the Heart Is (Billie Letts), Meg Cabot adult books, Nora Roberts books, Hit Reply (Rocki St. Claire), Twighlight series, The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph Over Cystic Fibrosis (Isabel Stenzel Byrnes and Anabel Stenzel), The Joy Luck Club (Amy Tan), Bridget Jones's Diary (Helen Fielding), A Walk To Remember (Nicholas Sparks). Also, I love buying cookbooks though I may not try to make a damn thing!

What is Your Favorite Quote(s)?: "Don't take your organs to Heaven, Heaven knows we need them here"

"Life isn't measured by how many breaths you take, but by how many moments take your breath away"

"There is not a person in your life who isn't here to teach you something about yourself."

"You can spend years in a classroom, but it doesn't guarantee you've got class."

"If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull****" :-D

"It doesn't matter what you say about someone once they're gone. What matters is how you treat them when they're still here. "

"You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it."

"I may not be perfect but some parts of me are pretty awesome."

One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.”

"I want to be all used up when I die."

My Facebook Page URL:: http://www.facebook.com/kim.jacques

Kim Jacques's Photos

Loading…

Kim Jacques's Videos

2010 U.S. Transplant Games Highlights Video!

Added by Kim Jacques 1 Comment 0 Likes
Madison Moments

Added by Kim Jacques 1 Comment 0 Likes
2008 U.S. Transplant Games Highlights video

Added by Kim Jacques 4 Comments 0 Likes

Kim Jacques's Blog

My personal blog!

Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:04am 0 Comments 0 Likes

Hi all!

On 1/1/11 I started a personal blog where I write about transplant-related topics! Pop in, comment, and "follow" me!

My Blog!

Donor Family Letter # 2

Posted on August 17, 2010 at 7:00am 3 Comments 0 Likes

Since I've heard stories about mixed communcation between recipent and donor family, I thought I'd try again. Here is the letter I'll be mailing out today.

Kim :-)

**********************************

August, 2010

Dear Donor Family:

I hope you don’t mind my contacting you again. I don’t know where to begin. I hope my original letter did not bring you any distress. That was not my intention. I just want you to know how… Continue

14 Moments in 14 Years.....

Posted on June 8, 2010 at 3:30pm 2 Comments 0 Likes

Since my anniversary is coming up (June 14th--YAY!) I decided to make a list of the 14 things I've experienced that I'm grateful for.

1) I was able to graduate high school, community college, AND attend my 10 year high school reunion. I'm already looking forward to the 20 year reunion!!

2) I got a chance to welcome new family members (Harry and Madeline, among many others). I'm so grateful that I'm still here to spend time with…

Continue

God better have an amazing purpose for me.....

Posted on May 18, 2010 at 4:30pm 4 Comments 0 Likes

I just found out that another transplant friend has passed away. She was transplanted 5 days after me (in 1996) and was re-transplanted in 2003. I knew she was having problems but I never saw this coming.

WHY are my friends (both online and the ones I've known in person) being taken away from me?? A few hours ago I got a call back from my transplant center. Wanna know what they said? My blood work was good and everything looks perfect!!! I go back in November for my…

Continue

Comment Wall (136 comments)

You need to be a member of TransplantCafe.com - The Gift of eLife! to add comments!

Join TransplantCafe.com - The Gift of eLife!

At 2:55pm on January 2, 2011, Suzanne said…: Happy Birthday Kim! And many, many many more :)

At 11:29am on January 2, 2011, Sue R. said…: Wishing you all the best on your birthday. May it be filled with much laghter,smiles, hugs and joy.

At 12:33am on January 2, 2011, TC AdminKaren Weddick said…

At 6:37pm on December 21, 2010, Arleen Dodson gave Kim Jacques a gift…: Red Ribbon
God bless u and good luck to you. Arleen Dodson
From the Gift Store

At 12:59pm on August 31, 2010, Tara Maynard gave Kim Jacques a gift…: Red Ribbon
Red Ribbon
From the Gift Store

At 4:08am on July 15, 2010, Arun Rao said…: Hi Kim
Could you please let me know who is the main contact for Team Florida at the Transplant games?
Thanks and have fun
Arun