... trying to live normally.

I go through phases. Try to live life like I used to, but it gets to me. The fact that there is no cure for PSC is terrifying. He will get worse and the disease will kill him, but it is a mystery as to when. I can pray for medical breakthroughs or a miracle, but sometimes my optimism breaks down and I can't help but cry. He is so frail and sick looking... he is less active and more tired. He is still optimistic and happy as ever, but I'm not. I'm heartbroken. Our life together is just beginning, and all I can say is the same thing everyone would say in my situation; it just isn't fair.

Life Unexpected.

My Grandma blessed Rich and I with a much needed vacation to Hilton Head Island. Sadly, Rich feel ill shortly after we arrived. We took him to the ER at around 3:00 am. I visited him today for nine or so hours. He was so much better today. I was terrified driving to the hospital this morning as he looked so awful last night. He looked like a zombie. At around 10 pm he was completely gray and had black circles under his eyes. We didn't decide to take him into the hospital until 3 am because my grandma contracted a stomach virus right before we left. We thought he got the virus from her, but the longer we waited, the more it was evident that something was seriously wrong.

It is amazing how unpredictable life is. One minute Rich was fine and the next minute we are rushing him to the  ER. I can't wait to visit him tomorrow. I could care less that I'm on vacation since vacations mean time to relax with the ones you love; we are definitely getting in some cuddle/talk time. I really enjoyed being next to him today and hogging his hospital bed!

Oven Baked Chips/French Fries

Rich is a creative character. He is the kind of person who whips up something without looking up the recipe. I, on the other hand, follow a recipe to the T. Maybe it is the perfectionist in me.

Tonight Rich decided to make some oven baked chips (or French Fries as we Americans call it). He wanted to wing it, but I looked up a recipe to make sure it was doable and to see if his experiment would work.

Well it did. It turned out very good and I think we will give up frozen French fries!

To make:
We cut up the potatoes, mixed them with some oil, added some season, and baked them in the oven for 40 minutes or so on 400. For the last five minutes we switched over to broil.

Delicious and even Raz agrees! We gave her a fry that dropped on the floor and she went crazy! She loves to play with her food before she eats it. I know it is bad manners, but she is just too cute.

I Have Plans.

This year was supposed to be out-of-this-world amazing.

I met my boyfriend in the summer of 2008. We were camp counselors and we fell for each other almost instantly. He was British, hilarious, handsome, smart..... my definition of perfect. I have never met anyone like him and he completely swept me off my feet. I felt like he would do anything for me, and as time has passed, I learned this was true.

After being in a long distance relationship for two years, my boyfriend moved out to America and became a student at my university. I could not have been more ecstatic.

He flew out to America in July 2010. In August we moved into an apartment together and began our fall semester. Things were wonderful, but he started getting sick. It started in October.

After countless doctor visits he was diagnosed on February 4, 2011 with PSC. We still do not fully understand the disease, but I do know that his body is failing him. At his lowest point, he weighed about 130 pounds (He is 6'2). I am 5'6 and weigh 128. He has an increased chance of liver cancer and liver failure. One doctor said his liver would last him about 10 years. There is a long list of people needing a liver. Will he get one?

I was devastated at first, but there is always hope and he is so inspiring. His strength and courage keep me strong.

We talked about it. We are going to live in the moment and do the things we love. No one knows how long they will live, so might as well live a life worth living.

The Changes We Have Made:
1.We started making more time for each other.
2. We started making at least one new recipe a week.
3. We got a dog. We always wanted a puppy, but we kept putting it off. She is a Corgi/Blue Heeler. Her name is Razzle "Swag" Dazzle Toenibbler the first. Raz for short.

Our Summer Plans:
- Rich is going to bike across the United States in May with one of his friends from England.
- I am going to surprise my mother by giving her house a much needed make-over. I am going to start with her living room.
-We are going to Michigan in July with our families (his mother, father, sister, and her sister's fiancée are staying about a half hour away from my family!)
-We are going to enjoy the outdoors and go on lots of mini vacations!