2 weeks till nationals!!!!! I did a mock run through of week-of-contest diet this week. It was going great until I had to go to Portland for the day Thursday. (I went for all my physicals for the bone marrow donation) On the way back home, we had to detour due to a fatal car accident ahead of us......to make a long story short, our trip home was 4 hours longer than expected, and I didn't take enough food to last me that long. I was in the carb reload phase (where I deplete sodium), so the only thing I could find at a convenience store was starburst (they have no sodium).......So I ate starburst the whole way home, they were heavenly, but totally screwed up my contest prep. Oh well......

At my (numerous) Dr appts thursday, they took 12 vials of blood from me. Needless to say, I was totally sucking wind when I did my routine today.......my quads felt like jello! I did it all the way through and didn't miss any tricks though! I am looking really cut now, my only goal is to keep as much muscle as I can in this last 2 weeks. This is where the timing of my meals becomes crucial. I set my watch to go off every hour. This reminds me to either eat, guzzle water, or take supplements. This method has really worked for me this time around. I am so excited to eat Thanksgiving dinner! I can tell I have been dieting for way too long! I just miss feeling "normal". The next 6 months off are going to be great. I am so excited to put on some major muscle!

Well, my bone marrow donation will be on the 29th of November! The recipient was going to be told yesterday for the first time that they found me......It gives me chills to think about that. I feel so priveledged that I get to do this. They tell me that I matched her protein markers 100%. All they needed was a 75% match, and I was 100%. The people at the red cross told me I should go buy a lottery ticket today! The sad news is that I can't contact her (or her me) for one year after the transplant.....they are very strict about that. I will get updates periodically about her condition though.....and they will tell me if she doesn't make it.....but I have a feeling my "super bone marrow" will do the trick!!!! ha ha ha Well, I have to train a client early tomorrow morning, so I must go to bed. Train hard, and say your prayers for me....and my bone marrow recipient. I'll write soon.

Tami