would you like fries with that? how about a double lung transplant?

I have been MIA these past few months! But with good reason! On July 5th, 2010 I was given a second chance. My life was saved by the generous gift of organ donation. I received a double lung transplant that saved my life. I was born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). A genetic disease that is the most common fatal disease in Canada affecting children and young adults. See two posts below to see a video on CF. My health started to fail me with multiple hospitalizations as my lungs filled up with thick sticky mucus making it easy for bacteria to grow and cause infection after infection. I was on oxygen and IV antibiotics 24/7.

My life and jewellery business had to be put on hold as I was in and out of the hospital waiting for new lungs. Thank you donor for giving me the opportunity to live again. To breathe easy for the first time in my life. Thank you for letting me still create jewellery. Still go to fashion shows, (and organize them! check out www.cfforcf.com, me and the 'lady team' raised over 30,000 dollars this summer for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation) You can check out our stories all summer long in the local newspaper at http://www.caledonenterprise.com/caledon/searchresults?r=category:Caledon&q=hattie

After 3 weeks in ICU, 35 days in hospital and 3 months after my successful surgery, I've begun designing again and it feels wonderful. Just in time for Christmas.

Although I missed all the cute summer outfits this season, I am looking forward to pouring in to the fall clothing looks this season with vengeance!

To learn more about organ donation check out Trillium Gift of Life at www.giftoflife.on.ca