I so agreee that life pre-transplant, when you can't do anything for fun anymore or do things on the spur of the moment is no way to live. I could hardly take a shower 3 times a week, was on O2 all the time, couldn't read a story or sing simple songs to my son, couldn't even stand in one place and do dishes without getting out of breath...it was definitely no way to live!!
Since the transplant 3 years ago, I went on a hot air balloon ride, walked my son to the park, played at the park, and walked home, went on vacations to Seattle, WA Nags Head, NC, Gainesville, VA, and Bristow, OK (where I went to a car show on Route 66). And currently, I am planning a 5 day trip to VA/TN since my Grandfather passed on Sunday. I also travelled to New York City in September 2008 and met Piper and a few other CFers and we all hung out for the day. It is truly amazing to not have to think about what IV meds I will be on or all the stuff that I would have to take, if I would even be able to make these types of trips before the transplant.
It's so nice to not have to tell a friend, "Well, I'll try to be there for your son's/daughter's party depending on how I feel." It's also nice to be able to attend family gatherings withough being so tired. I can run around outside with my son...just played in the snow with him a couple of weeks ago and the cold didn't bother my lungs and make me cough uncontrollably...I can take him to the Zoo and read books to him. I could go on and on, but these are just some of things I have enjoyed doing since the transplant in January 2007.
I wish you all the best and am glad that you have decided to move forward with the transplant process.