Reader Question

One of our readers left a comment but asked be remain anonymous. Since this is one of my most asked questions, I thought I would go ahead and put her question in a post:

I just passed my CC class and am waiting for the bureaucratic red tape so I can get my certificate and apply for my permit. In the meantime, I am researching deep carry options for my curvaceous frame. I am a very affectionate person and often hug or get hugged by people and children. I thought maybe an ankle holster would be less alarming for this circumstance then a upper body carry. I have reviewed a few of your suggestions, and am searching the web for options. I would prefer an upper body carry as I think that would be faster should the situation, God forbid, ever arise. I think I would collect too much sweat for a chest or side carry.... do you have any suggestions on how you overcame this in the beginning years of your CC? Thank you for any help or advice you can give me.

 

Being a bigger girl, I know first hand that sometimes our options for concealed carry are less than our thinner sisters. I have found the MOST comfortable and hug friendly holster is the Marilyn by Looper Law, the Company that makes the Flashbang. 

 

Living in the Texas Panhandle during 120 degree summers, the sweat issue sometimes concerned me as well. Sitting in church one hot Sunday afternoon wearing the Flashbang, I noticed some sweat dripping from under the holster location. I found the answer to that on those super hot days was to wear a light cami between the bra and my body or simply tuck a paper towel in between the two. It never really was an issue unless it was over 100 degrees outside, though.

 

I also sometimes would opt for the Sophia holster by the same company. This belt holster allows me to wear a cute tank with a light breezy vest or cover shirt without having a holster against my skin. Practice side hugs with your spouse, immediate family and you will quickly learn how to give great hugs avoiding accidental "exposure".

 

If all else fails, there are always purse holsters, although I would always recommend carrying on your body instead of in a purse ESPECIALLY since you have and are around children. It is my personal opinion that body carry is much safer than purse carry, since you don't always have your purse in your hands, leaving your firearm out of reach and sometimes within reach of tiny or strange hands.

Childcare Provider Appreciation Day

Getting some giveaways together for Mother's Day, but I'm thinking about another special day too. How many of you know that the Friday before Mother's Day is Childcare Provider Appreciation Day? Really, it is!

Since I spent many years as a Registered Home Childcare Provider, I would like to take a special day Friday, May 11 and give away an NRA membership to a Home Childcare Provider (who, in Texas, unfortunately is not allowed to carry in her own home during business hours - please contact your representatives if this bothers you, too).

Between now and then, I would like to take nominations, so comment here if you have a Home Childcare Provider in any state, who you would like to nominate to win a free year NRA membership for Provider Appreciation Day.

Sponsors, if you would like to offer an item to add to this giveaway or the Mother's Day Giveaway, you're more than welcome, just shoot me an email at ThatTexasLady@gmail.com!!

Can you say ewwww??

Okay, we all know Texas Lady loves her Remora ankle holster, but I want to share one reason why. SWEAT SHIELD!

This picture is an LC9 worn by a friend of mine in a very common ankle holster that will remain nameless. Otherwise the holster is great, it's comfortable, it's on an elastic band so the retention is okay (not like the Remora but hey, he got a good deal...he thought), but even worn on top of a sock, the sweat went through the sock, through the cloth holster, and has begun corroding the beautiful finish on this less than year old pistol. No fun!!!

 

I have been wearing Remora holsters for over a year, with no problems. The IWB, the ankle, the thigh...Remora is a great, versatile holster for any body shape or style.

 

So in honor of Easter I'm gonna get a little punny and say "Hop on over and visit my friends at Remora"!! Seriously though, they don't have any idea I'm posting this blog, my sweet friend who used to work for them is not there anymore, she's enjoying her new life with a new hubby...I just wanted to let you know what I know so you can make an informed decision and stuff your Easter baskets with an amazing gift that will make you someone's hunny bunny!!

 

Keeping it short today, off to the gym, then maybe the beach, who knows!?  Long weekend ahead!

 

Remora Website

My Kidney Journey: Where Are You?

I got an email today from a reader asking where my recipient and I are at in our kidney journey.  So I thought it would be a great time for an update.

Remember this guy?? ------------------>>>

This guy is Val Kilmer, but in the picture he was portraying Doc Holiday, who was known for many things, one being the famous gunslinger who died from TB.

I'm not dying from TB, but this fellow firearm fanatic and I have the Tuberculosis bacteria in common. I tested positive once again for a Latent TB Infection, which means that I have an inactive strain in my system that is not spreadable and I am not sick. If I were to give my kidney to my friend, however, the infection could become active in his system due to the high immunosuppresants that he will be taking. So we can't take that chance.

For the next twelve weeks, I will be taking a fun cocktail of Rifapentine and Isoniazid with some B6 to battle this invisible foe so it doesn't affect the transplant. Once the treatment is over, we will then be scheduled for transplant.

So we're looking at June for surgery!! And we can't wait to see him feeling better!!


If you have questions about being an organ donor, about LTBI, about, any of this at all, I would be glad to answer them, so please don't hesitate to ask!!

There are so many people out there who may die waiting for a kidney, please consider sharing your spare?? Please spread the word for organ donor awareness?? And one more thing, while you're at it, check out this page http://www.facebook.com/AMillionLikesForAKidneyForMatthew. Matthew is a 7 year old and needs a kidney ASAP. Please "Like" and "Share" his page. One million likes may not get him a kidney, but his chances would sure go up if a million people see his cause. Thanks so much!!!

What Holster Can Go From a Workout to a Night Out??

 Well, The Marilyn, of course

The Marilyn is just my favorite holster right now, and this is one of the reasons why. No matter what I am wearing or where I am going, this holster is safe and comfortable!!! Check it out at http://flashbangholsters.publishpath.com/the-marilyn

My Kidney Journey: Get to the Point

One of my newest friends tells the story of how Social Media (Twitter) Stole Her Kidney, well, I gave mine away at the Quick Lube.

Sitting at lunch one day with my girlfriend, I learned of a friend of hers needed a kidney. This man, this single father of a ten and twelve year old, this fellow Pathwanian, this HUMAN BEING was dying. He had 15% kidney function and PKD was taking his life, his children's father, his future from him. I had to ask twice, "I am O+, what do I do," before she even heard me. She couldn't even fathom that I would make such an offer for a complete stranger. My husband, children and friends are all super supportive and behind my donation 100%.

The next day, the process began. First, the application full of personal questions like medical history, legal history, mental history and body fat percentage.

Then, depending on your transplant center, there are a few days of testing. The first day, for me was the hardest. We left Dallas at 3am to be in Houston at 7. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight, and I was a little nervous so not much sleep that night anyway. 

After fighting Houston traffic, finding the hospital, and parking the car, the wonderful folks in the transplant center sent me to a vampire who promptly drew 25 or so vials of blood, ow what a sharp point, there. (And I thought the obstetrician's office was bad...) Then you get vitals checked and meet, one by one, the transplant team. The donor advocate, the psychiatrist, the transplant coordinator, the dietician, the nephrologist and the nurses. I tell you what, friends, I have never met nicer people in my life. I really love these guys. With the no food, no sleep, and anxiety, by the end of the day I had a serious puking migraine and nobody cared. They were all so very kind. 

Day one went well and all my tests were good. We found out that my kidney function is awesome, my cholesterol is good, and I am generally a pretty healthy person. Right before Day two we received the amazing news that my recipient and I are a perfect antigen match and that I can donate directly to him. On Day Two, we had a chest X-ray, EKG, and a GFR test where they inject radioactive dye into your blood and run a test to check your kidney function. (Can you say incredible hulk, well, not really but it WAS radioactive, hehehe.) Day three, well that was fun back to the obstetrician again, with the Glucose Tolerance test...ewwwwww. I now have medical documentation that says I am extra sweet. We also did a CT and met with the surgeons to decide which kidney they're going to use. 

With all the testing done, we know now that I will be donating my left kidney. We had a surgery date but it is put on hold, pending a visit to the infectious disease doctor. It seems that at some point in my life I have been exposed to TB. I may or may not have the bacteria in my system inactively (Latent TB, am not sick and cannot spread the bacteria), but we need to find out before we have the transplant. If I do have Latent TB, I will have to undergo up to three months of medication before we can continue and have the surgery.

My recipient and I are excited to proceed. I cannot wait to see him healthy and interacting with his children. I hope to have a positive update for you very soon!! If you pray, please pray that this test will go well and that we can continue in the next couple of weeks.

The point?  Well, with almost 200,000 people waiting for a kidney today, won't you consider sharing the gift of Life???

Blown Away

I am blown away, well not literally but, wow. As I look back at 2012, so much has changed. I have learned and grown. I have made sacrifices, changes and mistakes.

 

As I look forward to 2013, I have a new passion for life. I enter this year as a strong, beautiful, real, spiritual woman who is trusting in and loved by God. I enter this year with goals...actually, a life plan. I enter this year with a new core nucleus, friends, family, who love me unconditionally...and know me, the real me. I enter this year, knowing what I want out of life.

 

I also enter this year with a new passion. Organ donation. I have been a donor all of my adult life. I donate blood every time I am able to. I love it when my phone rings, informing me that my blood has been used to help someone in need.

 

A few weeks ago, I learned of a dire need within my circle of friends. A kind man, a single father, a fellow human, is dying. He is in kidney failure. He suffers from PKD, a genetic disease that has caused him to lose kidney function.

 

When the call went out, beckoning for one to come who had the right blood type, I answered the call. In order to be a Living Donor, you must be very healthy, meet certain criteria, and pass several weeks of extensive testing. I have one day left of testing and if all goes well, we will be starting 2013 off with surgery.

 

Please pray that all goes well. My friend needs this more than anything right now. Have a great and wonderful New Year, and thank you so much for reading and making Texas Lady all it was in 2012. I love you all!!