My First Blog!

I decided to start a blog so that I could share my wonderful life with everyone...then I realized that maybe I wouldn't actually have an audience to read the blog. I decided to forge ahead and see where this takes me anyway.
So, where do I start? I'm Allie and if you are reading this you most likely know me. If for some reason you don't or need a refresher course, here's the quick version:
I am 28 years old and live with my wonderful husband, Dave and adorable black lab, Max. My husband and I have been married for almost 8 years and we have no children. When I was 15, I got sick and was diagnosed with a condition called, "Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy" (which meant that my heart muscle was diseased and was failing. The only way to treat the problem in my case was to put me on the heart transplant list). On March 5, 2000 I received the gift of life by receiving a heart at the University of Washington Medical Center. I met Dave a few years after that. In 2009 I was officially diagnosed with the real reason why I needed the heart transplant. I have a rare muscle disease called, "Mitochondrial Myopathy Typified by Cytochrome 'C' Oxidize (COX)" a mouthful for sure and not a diagnosis I ever wanted, but one that I received nonetheless. Basically, this disease causes pain in my muscles and joints, hearing loss, was the cause for my heart failure, exercise intolerance and is the cause for many other "little" symptoms that I have had all throughout my life. Since the diagnosis, I have had to stop working and am attempting to learn what it means to "listen to my body" and give God thanks for this diagnosis. I thank God everyday that He saved me twice. I am surely blessed. Living in constant pain takes a lot out of one, and you basically have to relearn how to live your life.
This is why I decided to start blogging. Maybe some of my perspectives can bring light to your darkness. Maybe when I'm feeling down, you will be reminded that you are not the only one feeling this way. As I hope this blog serves as an outlet for me, I pray that it is also a useful tool for you.

I thank those who have decided to participate and read along.   :)